Aquatic Models of Human Disease
Marine Biological Laboratory · Woods Hole, Massachusetts
Diving Deeper into Disease Biology:
Emerging Models in Human Health
October 17–21, 2026
Registration & Abstracts
Abstract Submission
Abstract submission is now closed.
Thank you to everyone who submitted an abstract for AQMHD 2026. Program and presentation information will be shared with participants as it becomes available.
Registration
Early registration through September 4, 2026
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Mailing List
Join our mailing list for updates!
After opening the Google Group, use the “Contact owners and managers” option to request access.
Travel Awards
External travel grant opportunities for trainees and early-career researchers:
- DMM Conference Travel Grants
- ISD Travel Awards
- BiO Global South Conference Travel Grants
- Antibodies.com Travel Grant Program
- Hello Bio Early Career Scientist Grant
Eligibility, deadlines, and award terms are determined by each external funder.
12th AQMHD Conference
The Aquatic Models of Human Disease Conference brings together researchers using aquatic organisms to understand human biology and disease. Model systems including zebrafish, Xenopus, killifish, cavefish, hydra, sea urchins, and emerging aquatic species provide powerful experimental platforms for discovery across development, regeneration, genetics, physiology, aging, toxicology, and evolution.
AQMHD 2026 will emphasize cross-disciplinary integration, highlighting how aquatic systems uniquely enable mechanistic insight into disease processes that are difficult to study in traditional mammalian models.
Meeting Location
Marine Biological Laboratory
Woods Hole, Massachusetts
Keynotes
Dr. Veronica Hinman
Dr. Tatjana Sauka-Spengler
Dr. Bill Jeffery
Questions?
Contact the organizing committee at aqmhd2026@gmail.com.
Model Organisms
AQMHD highlights established and emerging aquatic models for understanding development, physiology, evolution, and human disease.
Photo credits: Michele Nishiguchi, Svenja Kling, Erik Jepsen, Yuan Lu, Drew Thompson, Andy Kaczmar, Sam Lampman, Ingo Braasch, and Stefan Materna
Program
Scientific Sessions
The final program includes 11 scientific sessions spanning development, regeneration, cancer, aging, genomics, functional genetics, metabolism, immunity, toxicology, behavior, evolution, and nutrition.
Posters, Panels & Workshops
Poster sessions, trainee presentations, panel discussions, networking events, and two special workshops are integrated throughout the meeting: New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and Originality, Integrity, and Artificial Intelligence.
Keynotes
Keynote lectures will be delivered by Veronica Hinman, Tatjana Sauka-Spengler, and Bill Jeffery.
Scientific Themes
- Congenital and Developmental Disorders
- Regeneration and Reproductive Biology
- Cancer and Aging
- Aquatic Genomics and Genetic Approaches to Disease Discovery
- Functional Genetic Screens in Disease
- Metabolic and Endocrine Disease
- Immunology & Microbiome
- Toxicology, Environmental Exposure, and Disease Risk
- Behavior, Neuroendocrinology, and Physiology
- Evolutionary and Comparative Disease Models
- Nutrition and Chronic Diseases
Special Workshops
New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)
Richard Novak — Unravel Biosciences
Originality, Integrity, and Artificial Intelligence
Dan Gorelick — Baylor College of Medicine · Rosa Uribe — Rice University
Keynote Speakers
Veronica Hinman
Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience
Tatjana Sauka-Spengler
Stowers Institute
Bill Jeffery
University of Maryland
Venue
AQMHD 2026 will be held at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, a historic center for research, training, and collaboration in the biological sciences.
Scientific sessions will take place primarily in Lillie Auditorium, with meals, registration, and selected poster events at Swope.
Additional information about lodging, travel, local transportation, accessibility, and Woods Hole resources will be posted closer to the meeting.
Sponsors
Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations interested in supporting the aquatic models community and advancing research relevant to human health.
Contact
For questions about the conference, registration, abstracts, travel awards, or sponsorship, please contact the organizing committee at aqmhd2026@gmail.com.