Conference Description
The Marine Microbes GRS provides a unique forum for young doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to present their work, discuss new methods, cutting edge ideas, and pre-published data, as well as to build collaborative relationships with their peers. Experienced mentors and trainee moderators will facilitate active participation in scientific discussion to allow all attendees to be engaged participants rather than spectators.
The 2026 Marine Microbes GRS will bring together early career scientists from a range of disciplines– including molecular biology, biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, evolution, oceanography and modeling– to explore the drivers and mechanisms of eco-evolutionary dynamics in marine microbes. In particular, the conference will focus on three key themes: i) spatial and temporal drivers of eco-evolutionary dynamics; examining how physicochemical and oceanographic conditions, and historical contingencies shape the structure, diversity and ecology of microbes from the micro- to global scale, ii) mechanisms of diversification and adaptation; highlighting molecular, physiological, and genomic innovations that have underpinned the diversification and adaptation of microbes to their environment, and iii) resilience to perturbations and environmental change; exploring how microbes, and the communities they form, recover from, or adapt to stressors such as climate change, pollution, and habitat disruption.
By integrating perspectives across disciplines and scales, the 2026 Marine Microbes GRS aims to spark discussions and inspire new ideas and approaches for understanding the drivers and mechanisms underpinning microbial diversification, adaptation and resilience. To that extent, we invite early-career researchers to join and share their unique insights.
An outline of the program components for this GRS is displayed below. The seminar chair is currently developing their detailed program schedule, which will include the speakers they select from submitted abstracts, in addition to any additional components outlined below. The detailed program will be available by April 7, 2026. Please check back for updates.
