15th CEND Symposium - From Discovery to Delivery: Infectious Disease Research at the Crossroads
The 2026 CEND Symposium is a critical convening of leading researchers, clinicians, and public health experts to address infectious diseases at a pivotal moment in global health. Organized by the Henry Wheeler Center for Emerging and Neglected Diseases (CEND) at UC Berkeley, this one-day symposium brings together 300+ experts to examine how zoonotic spillover, and persistent threats like tuberculosis and vector-borne diseases are reshaping the landscape of infectious disease research and response.
Built on CEND's four core pillars—Connect, Educate, Research, and Accelerate—the symposium transforms UC Berkeley's research excellence into breakthrough discoveries and interventions for infectious diseases that disproportionately affect marginalized communities worldwide. By connecting brilliant minds across disciplines, fostering an inclusive environment for the next generation of global health innovators, showcasing cutting-edge research, and accelerating the path from laboratory discovery to life-saving interventions, this event embodies CEND's mission in action.
This year's symposium features an outstanding lineup of Berkeley faculty speakers including Dr. Molly Ohainle (zoonoses and spillover), Dr. Sarah Stanley (tuberculosis), and Dr. Eva Harris (vector-borne diseases).
Abstracts should be submitted by April 17th and poster presenters and speakers will be chosen from these submissions.
Participants may present their work as either a Short Talk or a Poster Presentation.
A short talk consists of a 5-minute presentation followed by 2 minutes for questions and discussion. Please note that slots for talks are limited and the CEND Symposium Committee will select speakers based on scientific merit and program balance.
Posters will be presented during a dedicated, highly interactive, and convivial poster session at the end of the symposium. We strongly encourage everyone to present a poster, as this session is the heart of the CEND Symposium and offers the best opportunities to exchange ideas and receive valuable feedback.