12th Aquatic Models of Human Diseases conference - PROJECT SUMMARY: Aquatic animal models are essential platforms for biomedical research and provide powerful systems to study human disease mechanisms. The Aquatic Models for Human Disease (AQMHD) conference is a one-of-a-kind meeting that features a broad range of aquatic model organisms, allowing investigators to showcase the unique strengths of each system. As a long-standing forum, AQMHD brings together researchers across developmental, genetic, physiological, and toxicological disciplines and has, over the past two decades, fostered collaborative programs, new scientific directions, and shared community standards. This community-driven effort continues to refine research priorities for both established and emerging aquatic model organisms. Centered on the theme “Emerging Models in Human Health,” the 2026 meeting will focus on advancing the use of aquatic models to address fundamental questions in human health and disease, in alignment with NIH priorities in translational impact, rigor, reproducibility, and cross-disciplinary integration. Our sessions are designed to highlight advances in disease modeling, humanized systems, functional genomics, and comparative biology, while strengthening standards that enhance the long-term utility of aquatic systems. AQMHD 2026 will bring together established investigators, early-stage investigators, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students, with a particular emphasis on including junior faculty speakers to increase visibility and access to collaborative networks and shared resources. Our workshop leaders include industry representatives who will lead discussions on computational drug discovery, advanced animal models, and automated screening approaches, helping to bridge basic biology discoveries with human health applications. The meeting will generate several tangible outcomes, including publication of a meeting report to disseminate key findings and discussions, a dedicated collection of articles in Biology Open featuring research presented at the conference, a book on aquatic models to consolidate advances in the field, and a white paper, to be shared with NIH program officers, derived from the workshop discussions emphasizing the most urgent priorities. New programmatic elements will enhance the impact of the meeting, including a community discussion on integrating aquatic models with humanized systems such as organoids and cell culture in alignment with NIH priorities in New Approach Methodologies, a workshop on the role of artificial intelligence in scientific publishing, communication, and research integrity, a focused session on nutrition and chronic disease, and a prominent poster session to promote engagement between trainees and investigators. Rigor and reproducibility will be emphasized throughout the program, with speakers expected to address experimental design, validation, and reproducibility in both presentations and written contributions. The AQMHD 2026 will promote substantive scientific exchange, unify community standards, and ensure the continued growth and relevance of aquatic models in NIH-funded biomedical research.
