This retreat, first held in 2017, is organized by and geared towards our iMicro trainees. The goal is to provide opportunities to (i) enhance community and collaborations by providing a venue for all our trainees at the 4 campuses to learn about each others’ research (ii) present their scientific progress to each other and to faculty for feedback, (iii) learn about diverse career opportunities in the Bay Area, and (iv) hear a talk by a renowned outside speaker. Guest speakers have included Dr. Peter Kim, lead investigator of the Infectious Disease Initiative of the CZ Biohub and former president of Merck Research Labs), and Denise Monack, Professor of Microbiology & Immunology at Stanford. Trainees also attend the yearly retreat of their home graduate program.