Stem Cell & Developmental Biology Early Career Symposium

About This Grant

PROJECT SUMMARY The Stem Cell & Developmental Biology Early Career Symposium, jointly organized by the Society for Developmental Biology (SDB), the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) and the Allen Institute, aims to catalyze scientific exchange and professional development at a pivotal moment for the fields of developmental and stem cell biology. Stem cell research increasingly depends on developmental principles to understand cell behavior in complex, three-dimensional environments, while developmental biology has rapidly incorporated organoid, stem-cell–based, and reprogramming technologies to model development and disease in vitro. These converging trajectories present unprecedented opportunities to uncover the molecular, cellular, and biophysical mechanisms underlying embryogenesis, morphogenesis, tissue regeneration, and human disease. This in-person symposium will be held September 23–25, 2026, at the Allen Institute in Seattle, WA. Designed as an intimate, highly interactive forum of approximately 150 participants, the meeting elevates early-career scientists at a formative stage of their careers and provides meaningful opportunities for scientific visibility, leadership, and community building. This symposium is the first of its kind: a scientific meeting created, led, and shaped primarily by early-career investigators. Its trainee-centered design ensures that emerging scientists lead discussions and set the intellectual direction. At the same time, senior investigators and society leaders actively participate in planning and remain engaged throughout the symposium, enriching, but not overshadowing, the meeting by providing perspective, mentorship, and continuity with broader community efforts. The scientific sessions of the symposium are organized around four conceptual themes that cut across organisms, technologies, and research communities: Data Analysis Across Scales, Model Systems and the Organism, Spatial Awareness, and Cell Fates and Traits. Each session features four invited talks and two trainee talks selected from submitted abstracts, with ample time for discussion to promote deep, cross- disciplinary dialogue. Workshops on career development and emerging technologies, together with a strategic working session focused on future directions and workforce needs, further strengthen the program. Overall, the symposium will deliver high-quality science, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and provide essential leadership and professional development opportunities.