In a presidential address that was full of surprises, outgoing American Society for Microbiology (ASM) President Ron Atlas recounted his own research career and his accomplishments during his yearlong tenure as ASM president. But he also provided a bit of theater for the audience of more than a thousand packed into a ballroom Monday evening (May 19) at the ASM annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

"Just as my presidency has been unusual," Atlas told the audience—referring in part to his frequent dealings with the media and policymakers regarding heightened bioterrorism concerns—"this presentation will be unusual."

Atlas, initially a bioremediation specialist, began straightforwardly enough, talking about his role in developing a special bacterial fertilizer that helped in the cleanup of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. He also noted recent work with bacteria in which he and colleagues investigated the evolution of antibiotic resistance. Atlas claimed that the work, still in progress, may challenge the Darwinian notion of natural selection.

But when his presentation came to the topic of biodefense research and preparedness, sirens located behind Atlas's lectern began flashing and blaring. Moments later, the room's public address system carried an announcement by mock emergency personnel about the status of a "victim." A woman in a wheelchair was wheeled to the stage, where cameras projected onto the ballroom's big screens her gruesome mock symptoms—bloody eyes, nose, and ears, indicating a case of hemorrhagic fever.

Atlas explained how such realistic demonstrations are meant to help educate physicians and emergency personnel who have likely never seen the clinical effects of biowarfare agents. As co-director of the University of Louisville Center for the Deterrence of Biowarfare and Bioterrorism, Atlas has staged and promoted such training programs in the past.

Not yet done making his point, Atlas next brought up a man from the crowd who clearly had mock signs of a 3-day-old smallpox infection. No one had questioned the man's appearance as he milled around in the hallway prior to Atlas's talk. Some in the audience greeted the presentation with nervous laughter. Atlas still wasn't quite through.

Atlas emphasized the importance of clear, accurate communication with the media, mentioning programs that the ASM has in place to train microbiologists to talk to the press and discussing procedures in place to handle publication of sensitive information. Then he concluded his talk with a question for the audience.

Atlas asked the onlookers what they would do if a reporter asked them to react to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge's infamous recommendation that citizens should stock up on duct tape and plastic sheeting. Atlas then put up a photograph of a duck restrained with several pieces of duct-tape and cued a song that included the refrain, "Oh, where is my duct tape." Movie-style credits rolled.

They included a thank-you to ASM members and a note of reassurance: "No ducks were harmed during the production of this presentation."