There are scientific conferences and then there are meetings that really advance the field. Khmer 2026 is taking shape later.
From cutting-edge evolutionary genetics to new directions in synthetic biology and industrial yeasts, this year’s conference will showcase the full breadth of discovery in the yeast research landscape. But more than that, it’s an opportunity to reconnect, collaborate and advance science.
Science that opens up new directions.
Organizers Caiti Smukowski Heil and Vivien Measday are particularly excited about the sessions on evolutionary genetics, genomics and systems biology, life cycle biology, synthetic biology, and industrial yeast. These areas represent both depth of field and expansive scope.
Expect extensive research work that uses yeast to demonstrate basic biological principles, particularly at the population and systems level. A creative combination of genetics and evolution. Unpublished, high-quality science. Research that gives rise to entirely new lines of inquiry. “I look forward to science opening up new directions,” says organizer Joseph Schechter.
And here’s the truth about Khmer conferences: you often go to sessions outside of your immediate focus and leave with ideas that reshape your own research. This kind of intellectual cross-pollination is part of what makes the field so dynamic.
Why you should submit an abstract.
If you’re debating whether to submit, don’t overthink it. Submit by March 5.!
Presenting a poster or giving a speech is the most direct way to engage with the community. Especially for trainees, presenting builds confidence, sharpens your ability to articulate your work, and creates feedback that can meaningfully reinforce your research.
Abstract submission also ensures that the most interesting and diverse science surfaces. This way you put your work in front of an engaged audience who are ready to ask good questions and offer thoughtful insights.
Time and time again, researchers say the same thing: Conversations that start with a poster often turn into collaborations, new experiences, or entirely new directions. If you want your work to spread, put it in a room where others can see it. So, don’t wait until his presentation is ready, submit now.
A community unlike any other
It is a community known for its generosity. Scientists share strains, reagents, protocols, and hard-won advice. New techniques are developed with the intention of spreading them widely. Researchers connect continents and languages over a common interest with yeast biology.
For investigators who may run the only yeast lab at their institution, these meetings are more than professional gatherings. They are the lifeline in a supportive and collaborative network.
Perhaps most importantly, Khmer meetings create a space for open discussion of unpublished data. This openness allows collaboration to start early, giving labs and trainees a head start on new ideas. “I always find it amazing that I can connect with someone from another part of the world, who speaks a different language than I do, over our shared interest in a particular research area of yeast,” says Measday.
Hale emphasizes how meaningful conference attendance is for long-term connections, “Attending Khmer conferences is important for me to be a part of the community.” And for many longtime members of the field, seeing colleagues year after year, watching trainees become leaders, and welcoming newcomers.
Why this year matters
At a time when collaboration, community, inspiration and shared momentum are more important than ever, Yeast 2026 offers exactly that: a setting where hard science is taken seriously, feedback is thoughtful, and the passion for discovery is contagious (and yes, it doesn’t hurt that the meeting is in beautiful California).
Submit your abstract. Share your science. We will see you in Khmer 2026.
