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.
Application Instructions
The seminar will feature approximately 10 talks and 2 poster sessions. All attendees are expected to actively participate in the GRS, either by giving an oral presentation or presenting a poster. Therefore, all applications must include an abstract.
The seminar chair will select speakers from abstracts submitted by March 1, 2026. Those applicants who are not chosen for talks and those who apply after the deadline to be considered for an oral presentation will be expected to present a poster. In order to participate, you must submit an application by the date indicated in the Application Information section above.
Program Format
Gordon Research Seminars are 2-day meetings which take place on the Saturday and Sunday just prior to the start of the associated GRC. The GRS opens with a 1-hour introductory session on Saturday afternoon, followed by a poster session, dinner and a 2-hour session in the evening. Sunday morning begins with breakfast and is followed by another 2-hour session, a second poster session, and lunch. A final 1-hour session takes place just after lunch, and the associated GRC begins later that evening.
