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
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. Daniel Bolnick
Dr. Deirdre Lyons
Dr. Tatjana Sauka-Spengler
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, Andrew Thompson, Stefan Materna
Program
Scientific Sessions
The preliminary program includes 11 scientific sessions spanning development, regeneration, cancer, genomics, neuroscience, metabolism, immunity, toxicology, behavior, evolution, and nutrition.
Posters & Workshops
Poster sessions, panel discussions, trainee presentations, and networking events will be integrated throughout the meeting.
Keynotes
Keynote lectures will be delivered by Deirdre Lyons, Tatjana Sauka-Spengler, and Daniel Bolnick.
Scientific Themes
- Congenital and Developmental Disorders
- Regeneration and Reproductive Biology
- Cancer and Aging
- Aquatic Genomics and Genetic Approaches to Disease Discovery
- Neurological Development, Function, and Disease
- Metabolic and Endocrine Disease
- Immunology and Microbiome
- Toxicology, Environmental Exposure, and Disease Risk
- Behavior, Neuroendocrinology, and Physiology
- Evolutionary and Comparative Disease Models
- Nutrition and Chronic Diseases
Keynote Speakers
Deirdre Lyons
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Tatjana Sauka-Spengler
Stowers Institute
Daniel Bolnick
University of Connecticut
Registration & Abstracts
Registration
Registration will open in July 2026.
Registration rates and additional details will be announced closer to the meeting.
Register — Coming SoonAbstract Submission
Abstracts will be selected for platform talks and poster presentations.
Abstract submission deadline: Summer 2026.
Submit Abstract — Coming SoonTravel Awards
Travel support opportunities for trainees and early-career researchers will be posted as they become available.
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.