Cell Bio 2026 - An ASCB|EMBO Meeting

Roundtable Discussion Proposals Are Now Being Accepted

Help spark meaningful conversations at Cell Bio 2026. We are now accepting proposals for Roundtable Discussions designed to bring attendees together for informal, small-group conversations on topics that matter to the cell biology community.

Roundtable Discussions provide an opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and build new connections around timely topics in science, education, innovation, and culture. If you have an idea that would inspire engaging discussion and community participation, we invite you to submit a proposal.

Submission Deadline for Roundtable Discussion Proposals: September 30

Submit Your Proposal

Minisymposia - An individual or group of organizers can apply to run these sessions and will select talks from abstract submissions.
Special Interest Subgroups - An individual or group of organizers will select desired speakers to give talks and invite them to submit an abstract. Organizers will only select talks from invited speaker abstracts and will not include additional abstract submissions in their session.
New This Year: Professional Development Session proposals are now open, with new themes focused on leadership, career navigation, culture and inclusion, innovation beyond the lab, and the future of research and education.
Organizer Eligibility for Scientific Sessions
- ASCB values unique perspectives and strives to provide access to leadership opportunities across the field. Therefore, organizers who have not organized a scientific session in the last two years will be given priority.
- Organizing a session at ASCB is a valuable learning opportunity for students and postdocs. We encourage trainees to submit proposals with an experienced co-chair who commits to provide support and training to develop and run their session.

How to Submit a Session Event Proposal:

Step 1: Identify Your Idea
Step 2: Choose a Session Type
Step 3: Find Your Presenters
Step 4: Prepare Your Proposal
Step 5: Submit Your Proposal

The Details

> Step 1: Identify Your Idea

What topics do you want to see at Cell Bio? What topics are interesting, relevant, exciting, or important to our community?

Check out past meeting programs to see what topics have been covered and to gain inspiration for introducing a new topic or enhancing existing topics that are routinely presented.

> Step 2: Choose a Session Event Type

Scientific Session Policies:

Organizers can only organize one scientific session in a given year.
ASCB values unique perspectives and strives to provide access to leadership opportunities across the field. Therefore, organizers who have not organized a scientific session in the last two years will be given priority.
Organizing a session at ASCB is a valuable learning opportunity for students and postdocs. We encourage trainees to submit proposals with an experienced co-chair who commits to provide support and training to develop and run their session.
Speakers in scientific sessions may only give a talk in one scientific session.

Upcoming Opportunities

Roundtable Discussions 45-60 minutes | 10 attendees per table - Deadline: September 30

Roundtable Discussions are informal networking opportunities where attendees gather to discuss timely topics in the cell biology community. Topics may focus on science, education, innovation, or culture and climate. These sessions are designed for small-group conversations, idea sharing, and building new connections within the community.

Roundtables will take place in the exhibit hall during the lunch break. Attendees can grab lunch and join a table on a topic of interest. Each discussion will be led by a table leader.

Schedule:

Saturday, December 12 from 12:30 pm–1:30 pm (between Subgroup Sessions)
Sunday, December 13-Tuesday, December 15 from 12:45 pm–1:30 pm (between Poster Sessions)

Eligibility:

You must be registered (or plan to register) for Cell Bio 2026 to apply.
Exhibitors or companies interested in leading a Roundtable should contact SPARGO at ascbexhibits@spargoinc.com.

Table Leader Responsibilities:

Register for Cell Bio 2026. Admission will not be granted without a meeting registration.
Promote your Roundtable Discussion in advance to generate interest.
Facilitate the conversation during the session and keep attendees engaged.

Closed Opportunities

Minisymposia 120 minutes | 8-10 presenters - CLOSED

Minisymposium sessions offer in-depth explorations of fundamental areas within cell biology. A series of scientific research talks presenting significant findings will each follow with Q&A. Talks are selected from abstract submissions. Each session concentrates on a singular research topic, reflecting core themes in the field.

Choice of Formats:

Eight speakers with 15 minutes each (up to 12-minute talk; remainder for Q&A)
Two speakers with 20 minutes each (up to 15-minute talk; remainder for Q&A)
Four speakers with 15 minutes each (up to 12-minute talk; remainder for Q&A)
Two speakers with 10 minutes each (up to 7-minute talk; remainder for Q&A)
Four speakers with 15 minutes each (up to 12-minute talk; remainder Q&A)
Six speakers with 10 minutes each (up to 7-minute talk; remainder for Q&A)

Eligibility: All ASCB members (all career levels encouraged to apply)

Special Interest Subgroups 120 minutes | 6-10 presenters - CLOSED

Subgroup sessions aim to highlight groundbreaking findings and foster discussions on the latest developments in the field. Organizers will identify and invite presenters to give talks in the session. Each session focuses on a singular topic, exploring cutting-edge and emerging areas in cell science, showcasing innovating research within the community.

Choice of Formats:

Eight speakers with 15 minutes each (up to 12-minute talk; remainder for Q&A)
Two speakers with 20 minutes each (up to 15-minute talk; remainder for Q&A)
Four speakers with 15 minutes each (up to 12-minute talk; remainder for Q&A)
Two speakers with 10 minutes each (up to 7-minute talk; remainder for Q&A)
Four speakers with 15 minutes each (up to 12-minute talk; remainder Q&A)
Six speakers with 10 minutes each (up to 7-minute talk; remainder for Q&A)

Eligibility: All ASCB members (all career levels encouraged to apply)

Scientific Workshops 75 or 150 minutes | 3-4 presenters - CLOSED

Scientific Workshop sessions focus on in-depth or hands-on training and collaboration on a specific topic or skill. These sessions aim to build skills in an interactive learning setting with practical exercises or demonstrations. Organizers will identify and invite presenters to give talks in the session.

Choice of Formats:

60 minutes with at least 15 minutes dedicated for Q&A
150 minutes with at least 20 minutes dedicated for Q&A

Eligibility: All ASCB members (all career levels are encouraged to apply)

Professional Development Sessions 45, 60, or 90 minutes | 1-5 presenters - CLOSED

Professional Development session submissions are now being accepted within the following themes:

Innovating Outside the Lab and Classroom – Nonacademic cell biology (business/industry, government, academic advocacy, non-profits)
Culture & People – Mentor/mentee dynamics, leadership, and inclusion
Navigating Your Career Path – Career Mapping, career transitions, and professional growth
The Future of the Lab and Education – Academic cell biology (research, teaching, publishing, grant writing)

Format:

45, 60, or 90 minutes* to use as desired and determine the agenda
For Panel Discussions, select up to five panelists

Eligibility: All ASCB members (all career levels are encouraged to apply)

* The review committee reserves the right to modify the confirmed session time for accepted proposals.

> Step 3: Identify Your Presenters

There are several ways to find speakers for your session. Don’t hesitate to reach out for advice from others during this process:

Search Existing Literature - Use relevant keywords linked to your subject matter

Reach Out Directly - Many people appreciate being invited to speak. If they are unavailable, they might recommend someone else.

Pursue Unique Perspectives - Aim to gather a variety of scientific insights from researchers of various experiences including their institutions, geographic location, and stages in their careers.

Presenter Availability

Speakers and organizers must be available live in-person in San Diego, California for their sessions between Saturday, December 12 through Tuesday, December 15, 2026. The final Scientific Session schedule will be announced by September 2026 so speakers can make travel arrangements.

Speaker Expenses

No funding is available for organizers or speakers for proposed sessions.

> Step 4: Prepare Your Proposal

Session proposals should be clear and well-defined with a broad appeal across a mixed audience who has unique backgrounds and perspectives.

Guidelines for Proposal Fields

Session Title - The title should be clear, concise, and simplified so that it clearly describes the topic, for the best attendee experience.

Examples:

Clear Title - Organelle Dynamics and Cell Regeneration

Unclear Title - Exploring the Future of Cells: Breakthroughs on the Horizon

Session Description - The description should:

Clearly outline the topic and highlight key points to be covered
Explain the significance and relevance of the session to the intended audience
Be written in a format for the published program - informative yet influential and enticing for the audience to participate in your session

> Step 5: Submit Your Proposal

1. Click the Form Link to Begin and
  Read the introductory details thoroughly at the top of the page before starting.
2. Select Your Session Type
  Select the appropriate session type for your topic from the drop-down menu.
3. Complete the Proposal
  Follow the on-screen instructions to fill out your proposal. Make sure to provide all required information.
4. Submit your proposal
  Once you've completed all sections, click the "Submit" button.
5. Confirmation
  You'll receive an automatic email confirming your submission

San Diego Convention Center,

San Diego, CA

#cellbio2026