The 2026 CEND Symposium focused on the theme From Discovery to Delivery. The conference focused on three main areas: zoonoses, vector-borne diseases, and tuberculosis. Each session highlighted researchers working across every aspect of science implementation, from discoveries at the benchtop to clinical trials and implementation. This year’s symposium highlighted the ways that emergencing and neglected diseases are relevant today and moving forward. Dr. Jeffery Cox (UC Berkeley), in his opening address, emphasized that the day’s presentations and panels were spaces for hope as well as a critical analysis of ways to improve the scientific pipeline from benchtop to bedside.
This year’s symposium was hosted against a backdrop of an ongoing Ebola outbreak and uncertainty in research funding. Nevertheless, researchers gathered to share ideas, present new findings, and ask important questions. It was an invigorating demonstration of resilience and willingness to do one’s part during difficult times in the field.
The first segment, Zoonoses and One Health: Crossing Boundaries, featured talks by Dr. Molly Ohainle (UC Berkeley), Dr. Charlie Whittaker (UC Berkeley), Dr. John (Dan) Kelly (UCSF), and Dr. Robert Choy (PATH). The speakers addressed the ability to utilize viruses, patient data, and technology in new and exciting ways. There was also discussion on what One Health means to the researchers across their respective positions and how this perspective can help anticipate future outbreaks.
The second section of talks, Vector-borne Diseases and Arboviruses, featured presentations by Dr. Eva Harris (UC Berkeley), Dr. Noah Rose, (UC San Diego), and Dr. Josefina Coloma (UC Berkeley). During their panel discussion afterwards, the speakers spoke in their capacities not only as research scientists but as advocates and members of the communities overseas that are involved with the Dengue and Zika research. Discussions of trust among patients and communities, sustainable capacity-building in research centers abroad, and the importance of funding training were central to the discussion.
The final talks were centered around the theme Tuberculosis: Ancient Enemy, Modern Strategies. Talks from Dr. Sarah Stanley (UC Berkeley), Dr. Alison Kraigsley (The Gates Foundation), Dr. Rada Savic (UCSF), and Dr. Laura Baizer (UC Berkeley) highlighted research from every aspect of the pharmaceutical pipeline. The panel addressed aspects of the long history between humans, what is still unknown about the immune response to TB, as well as some of the novel vaccine candidates and prediction models being developed to reduce TB cases worldwide.
The symposium emphasized cutting-edge findings from labs across the Bay Area and beyond, but it also gave a glimpse into the bright future of the field during trainee talks and poster presentations. Graduate students from UC Davis, UC Berkeley, Stanford, and UC Santa Cruz gave short talks on their thesis projects focusing on a range of topics including (but not limited to) HIV, coronaviruses, dengue, poxviruses, west nile, shigella, and tuberculosis. The trainee presentations and poster sessions featuring ongoing projects and future directions gave insight into where the field may be moving and the important questions that are still left to ask.
CEND looks forward to seeing everyone at future symposiums and events! Thank you to all who attended!