15th CEND Symposium - Contagion, Climate, and Community
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 climate change, 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).
A competitive call for abstracts will provide trainees with the opportunity to showcase their work through poster presentations and selected flash talks.