MEEHubs2026
A hub-based conference on Microbial Ecology and Evolution
Aug 3-5, 2026
About MEEHubs
MEEHubs2024 statistics:
Science is a global endeavor, but traveling across the planet for conferences is a resource intensive activity, producing a large amount of CO2 emissions. In addition, international scientific conferences are often organized in the Global North, making it expensive and bureaucratically difficult for people in the Global South to attend, reducing democratic access to science. Virtual conferences offer a viable alternative: they reduce environmental impact, broaden participation across countries, and improve accessibility for researchers with disabilities or caregiving responsibilities. At the same time, in-person interactions remain essential for building community and fostering collaboration.
MEEHubs offers a hybrid model that combines the strengths of both approaches: remote content for global accessibility and in-person interactions through local hubs worldwide. Building on the success of MEEHubs2024 (link to paper), we are thrilled to announce that MEEHubs2026 will take place from August 3–5, 2026, at seven local hubs and online.
The most amazing microbial ecology and evolution research is happening in many different countries, and MEEHubs facilitates everyone coming together in an inclusive space; a space that is supportive to early career researchers while recognizing the legacy and work of those that came before us, a space that is diverse in its human dimensions and scientific content. We think microbial ecology and evolution is a welcoming discipline with a very interdisciplinary composition (field biologists, microbiologists, virologists, bioinformaticians, biophysicists, mathematicians, etc). With MEEHubs, we strive to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and environmentally responsible model for scientific conferences.
NCCR Microbiomes, Switzerland's National Centre of Competence in Research dedicated to advancing microbiome science through interdisciplinary collaboration, proudly supports MEEhubs2026. Building on its pivotal role as the main sponsor of MEEhubs2024, which pioneered a sustainable, multi-hub format for microbial ecology and evolution, this backing ensures an inclusive, low-carbon platform connecting global researchers. Join us for innovative exchanges that lower barriers to participation.
Hubs
MEEHubs2026 will be hosted across 7 hubs and 6 timezones, all connected online
California Hub GMT-7
Location: Irvine
Organizer(s): Maria Rebolleda-Gomez
Mexico Hub
GMT-6
Location: Mexico City
Organizer(s): Ayari Fuentes, Luciana Raggi Hoyos
Canada East Hub GMT-4
Location: Montreal
Organizer(s): Aaron Hinz, Aline Cuénod, Emma Derrick, Rachel Gregor
US East Hub
GMT-4
Location: Ann Arbor
Organizer(s): Luis Zaman, Emma Carlson
UK Hub
GMT+0
Location: Manchester
Organizer(s): Will Smith, Danna Gifford, Michael Bottery
Switzerland Hub
GMT+1
Location: Zurich
Organizer(s): Marco Gabrielli, Anna Weiss, Samuel Miavet-Verde, Martin Sperfeld
Ukraine Hub
GMT+2
Location: Chernihiv
Organizer(s): Nataliia Tkachuk
Virtual only
Invited Speakers
University of Minnesota, USA
New England Biolabs + Durham University, USA
Vira Boroday
National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine
University of Dundee
Natalia Demchenko
T.H. Shevchenko National University "Chernihiv Colehium", Ukraine
University of New Brunswick, Canada
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Instituto de Ecologia, Mexico
Etzel Garrido
Autonomous University of Queretaro, Mexico
University of Minnesota, USA
Michigan State University, USA
McGill University, Canada
Esperanza Martinez-Romero
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Unidad Cuernavaca, Mexico
University of California San Diego, USA
University of Lausanne, Switzerland
University of Nottingham, UK
University of Lausanne, Switzerland
University of Trento, Italy
McGill University, Canada
University of Exeter, UK
University of California Irvine, USA
University of California Irvine, USA
Liubov Zelena
Zabolotny Institute Microbiology and Virology, NAS of Ukraine
Abstract submission
Key dates
Stay tuned for abstract submission dates! We anticipate abstract submission to open in early 2026.
Information
Abstracts can be submitted for either oral or poster presentations. More information to follow.
Program overview
The program for MEEHubs2026 is not finalized. In the meantime, here is an overview of the program for MEEHubs2024 to give an idea of what our conference will look like!
Registration
Registration will open soon! There are three steps associated with registration:
- Buy tickets (online only is free of charge) using a soon-to-be-provided link.
- The confirmation email after payment is received will give you a link to register for access to content via our website.
- Don't forget to submit your abstract! This is separate from registration and can be done at a soon-to-be-provided link. Please use the same email for registration and abstract submission to make things easier.
Thanks to support from U.S. National Science Foundation, NCCR Microbiomes and local sponsors, the cost for MEEHubs2026 will be minimal and virtual-only attendance will be free of charge. We hope that this way everyone that wants to participate can find a way to join us!
This event is designed to be inclusive and internationally accessible through its hub structure, bringing together researchers from all backgrounds who share an interest in microbial ecology and evolution. We warmly welcome participants from underrepresented groups and are committed to fostering a conference environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and able to contribute fully. We value the diversity of perspectives that strengthens our field and strive to create a space free from discrimination, harassment, and barriers to participation. We invite you to join us at one of our hubs in August and be part of the international microbial ecology and evolution community.
CALIFORNIA HUB
43 CHF (~55 USD)
22 CHF (~28 USD)
for students
MEXICO HUB
10 CHF (~223 Pesos)
5 CHF (~111 Pesos)
for students
CANADA EAST HUB
75 CHF (~133 CAD)
55 CHF (~97 CAD)
for students
US EAST HUB
43 CHF (~55 USD)
22 CHF (~28 USD)
for students
UK HUB
114 CHF (~109 USD)
SWITZERLAND HUB
150 CHF
UKRAINE HUB
FREE
ONLINE ONLY
FREE
Organizing committee
University of Calgary, Canada
University of Manchester, UK
Emma Carlson
University of Michigan, USA
Aline Cuénod
ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Emma Derrick
McGill University, Canada
UNAM, Mexico
Marco Gabrielli
eawag, Switzerland
University of Manchester, UK
University of Toronto, Canada
Aaron Hinz
McGill University, Canada
Samuel Miravet-Verde
ETH Zurich, Switzerland
UNAM, Mexico
UC Irvine, USA
University of Manchester
Martin Sperfeld
ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Astrid Stubbusch
Monash University, Australia
Robin Tecon
University of Lausanne & NCCR Microbiomes, Switzerland
Nataliia Tkachuk
T.H. Shevchenko National University "Chernihiv Colehium", Ukraine
eawag, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
University of Michigan, USA
SPONSORS
Central funding
Local funding
CONTACT
Email: info@meehubs.org
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