Join us at the Microbes in Wastewater Symposium in 2026!
Stay at the Forefront of Wastewater Research
Join us for the third annual Microbes in Wastewater symposium, uniting experts from government, academia, and industry to address critical challenges at the crossroads of wastewater science and public health. We will spotlight innovative molecular and next-generation sequencing technologies driving progress in pathogen and antimicrobial resistance surveillance.
Key Topics Include:
▪ Pathogen and Antimicrobial Resistance in Wastewater
▪ Impacts on Public Health and Policy
▪ Wastewater Research and Climate Change
▪ Emerging Molecular and NGS Technologies
This symposium offers a unique opportunity to engage with experts across disciplines, share insights, and shape the future of wastewater-based epidemiology. Together, we aim to strengthen surveillance strategies, protect public health, and advance innovative approaches to monitoring and mitigating emerging microbial threats.
Scientific Organizers:
Dr. Kartik Chandran, Dr. Ryan Reinke, Dr. Rachel Noble, and Dr. John Griffith
Join us for the third annual Microbes in Wastewater symposium, uniting experts from government, academia, and industry to address critical challenges at the crossroads of wastewater science and public health. We will spotlight innovative molecular and next-generation sequencing technologies driving progress in pathogen and antimicrobial resistance surveillance.
Key Topics Include:
▪ Pathogen and Antimicrobial Resistance in Wastewater
▪ Impacts on Public Health and Policy
▪ Wastewater Research and Climate Change
▪ Emerging Molecular and NGS Technologies
This symposium offers a unique opportunity to engage with experts across disciplines, share insights, and shape the future of wastewater-based epidemiology. Together, we aim to strengthen surveillance strategies, protect public health, and advance innovative approaches to monitoring and mitigating emerging microbial threats.
Scientific Organizers:
Dr. Kartik Chandran, Dr. Ryan Reinke, Dr. Rachel Noble, and Dr. John Griffith
Location
Balboa Bay Resort
1221 West Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92663
1221 West Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Date
January 15 -16, 2026
CONTACT:
Email inquiries to [email protected]
HOSTED BY:
Important Dates
December 12 | Travel Award Consideration Deadline
December 15 | Early Bird Discounted Registration Deadline
December 19 | Abstract Submissions Close
December 15 | Early Bird Discounted Registration Deadline
December 19 | Abstract Submissions Close
Tentative Schedule
Speakers
Dr. Bruce Rittmann
Regents Professor of Environmental Engineering and director of the biodesign
swette center for environmental biotechnology
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
swette center for environmental biotechnology
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Dr. Joan Rose
Nowlin chair in water research
DIRECTOR of the water alliance
DIRECTOR of the water alliance
Dr. Kara Nelson
President
Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors
Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors
Marc Johnson
Professor
School of Medicine, University of Missouri
School of Medicine, University of Missouri
Dr. Daniel Cornforth
Wastewater Pathogen Genomics Unit Lead
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dr. Amy Pruden
University Distinguished Professor
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech
Dr. Stephanie Klaus
Treatment Process Engineer
Hampton Roads Sanitation District
Hampton Roads Sanitation District
Heather Buonomo
Director of Environmental Health
Dept. of Environmental Health and Quality, County of San Diego
Dept. of Environmental Health and Quality, County of San Diego
Dr. Joshua Steele
Senior Scientist
Department of Microbiology, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project
Department of Microbiology, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project
Dr. Lauren Stadler
Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Rice University
Rice University
Annabelle Damerum, Ph.D.
Scientist
Zymo Research
Zymo Research
C. Sunny Jiang
Program Director (Rotator)
Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems, National Science Foundation
Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems, National Science Foundation
Dr. Catherine Hoar
Assistant Professor
Boston College
Boston College
Dr. Lawrence Goodridge
Professor and Canada Research Chair in Foodborne Pathogen Dynamics, University of Guelph
Director, Canadian Research Institute in Food Safety
Director, Canadian Research Institute in Food Safety
Dr. Nancy Lin
Biomaterials Group Leader
National Institute of Standards and Technology
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Dr. Michael Weinstein
Director of Systems Biology, Zymo Research
Adjunct Faculty, UCLA
Adjunct Faculty, UCLA
Dr. Rose Kantor
Staff Scientist
Genomics Group, Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Genomics Group, Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Dr. Prabhu Gounder
Medical Epidemiologist
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Martin Shafer, PhD
Senior Scientist
Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ameet Pinto, PhD
Carlson S Wilder Associate Professor
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
Ishi Keenum, PhD
Assistant Professor
Civil, Environmental, & Geospatial Engineering, Michigan Technological University
Civil, Environmental, & Geospatial Engineering, Michigan Technological University
From our sponsors
Abstract Submissions
Abstracts are being reviewed for poster presentation. Please see submission guidelines below.
If you have any questions about your abstract submission, you can contact us here.
If you have any questions about your abstract submission, you can contact us here.
Submitting Your Abstract
An abstract is a brief description of your poster presentation, which should outline the key goals of your research and summarize your results for the reader. When submitting your abstract, you will be asked to enter the following:
Title of Poster
The title should clearly and succinctly outline the topic of your research.
Authors and Affiliations
Please include Author names and organizations, and whether they are the primary (presenting) author, or a coauthor.
Categories
▪ Climate Change and Wastewater
▪ Wastewater Sample Preparation
▪ Pathogen and AMR Surveillance
▪ Advanced Molecular Tools
▪ Bioinformatics and Modeling
Abstract Text
300-word limit. Do not include title and author information, or any tables and graphics as part of the abstract body.
Preparing Your Poster
Your poster should be 36 x 48 inches (landscape or portrait permitted) and should include the following elements:
▪ Title
▪ Author(s) with affiliation
▪ Introduction: Introduce the research - what is the problem/knowledge gap your research is aiming to address?
▪ Methods: What did you do and how did you do it?
▪ Results: Outline the key findings
▪ Conclusions and/or discussion: What are the outcomes, implications and future possibilities?
▪ Acknowledgements
We recommend using at least 14-point type in the body of your poster.
Awards
We will be offering travel awards to the presenting authors of highly-rated abstracts to help offset the cost of attending the Microbes in Wastewater Symposium. Additionally, we will present Excellence in Research awards at the end of each poster session, where selected presenters will receive a monetary award along with a special certificate for their achievements.
Please indicate if you would like to be eligible for these awards during your submission.
An abstract is a brief description of your poster presentation, which should outline the key goals of your research and summarize your results for the reader. When submitting your abstract, you will be asked to enter the following:
Title of Poster
The title should clearly and succinctly outline the topic of your research.
Authors and Affiliations
Please include Author names and organizations, and whether they are the primary (presenting) author, or a coauthor.
Categories
▪ Climate Change and Wastewater
▪ Wastewater Sample Preparation
▪ Pathogen and AMR Surveillance
▪ Advanced Molecular Tools
▪ Bioinformatics and Modeling
Abstract Text
300-word limit. Do not include title and author information, or any tables and graphics as part of the abstract body.
Preparing Your Poster
Your poster should be 36 x 48 inches (landscape or portrait permitted) and should include the following elements:
▪ Title
▪ Author(s) with affiliation
▪ Introduction: Introduce the research - what is the problem/knowledge gap your research is aiming to address?
▪ Methods: What did you do and how did you do it?
▪ Results: Outline the key findings
▪ Conclusions and/or discussion: What are the outcomes, implications and future possibilities?
▪ Acknowledgements
We recommend using at least 14-point type in the body of your poster.
Awards
We will be offering travel awards to the presenting authors of highly-rated abstracts to help offset the cost of attending the Microbes in Wastewater Symposium. Additionally, we will present Excellence in Research awards at the end of each poster session, where selected presenters will receive a monetary award along with a special certificate for their achievements.
Please indicate if you would like to be eligible for these awards during your submission.
Venue & Accommodations
Balboa Bay Resort
1221 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663
1221 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663
For government room rates, please reach out to us directly here.
Travel Information
Distance from Airports
(SNA) John Wayne Airport Orange County to Hotel: 7.6 miles (12.2 km)
(LGB) Long Beach Airport to Hotel: 26.3 miles (42.3 km)
(LAX) Los Angeles International Airport to Hotel: 45.6 miles (73.4 km)
(ONT) Ontario International Aiport to Hotel: 52.0 miles (83.7 km)
(SNA) John Wayne Airport Orange County to Hotel: 7.6 miles (12.2 km)
(LGB) Long Beach Airport to Hotel: 26.3 miles (42.3 km)
(LAX) Los Angeles International Airport to Hotel: 45.6 miles (73.4 km)
(ONT) Ontario International Aiport to Hotel: 52.0 miles (83.7 km)
Additional Lodging Accommodations
Distance from Balboa Bay Resort
Holiday Inn Express Newport Beach (0.5 miles)
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach (1.8 miles)
Newport Beach Marriott Bayview (4.8 miles)
Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa/Newport Beach (4.9 miles)
Hampton Inn & Suites Irvine-Orange County Airport (6.2 miles)
Holiday Inn Express Newport Beach (0.5 miles)
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach (1.8 miles)
Newport Beach Marriott Bayview (4.8 miles)
Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa/Newport Beach (4.9 miles)
Hampton Inn & Suites Irvine-Orange County Airport (6.2 miles)
Past Symposiums
Microbes in Wastewater 2025: Antibiotic Resistance, Public Health, and Climate Change
