Joint with: Neuroinflammation in Health and Disease
Neurodegeneration: From Neurocentric to System-Wide Perspectives
Jun 22–25, 2026 | Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Whistler, BC, Canada
Scientific Organizers:
Julia TCW, Christian Haass, and Emma Mead
Livestream
In Person
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Jun 22–25, 2026 | Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Whistler, BC, Canada
Scientific Organizers: Julia TCW, Christian Haass, and Emma Mead
Julia TCW, PhD
Boston University
Julia TCW, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor at Boston University and a Director of the Laboratory of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapeutics. Her research focuses on studying Alzheimer’s disease genetics and functional genomics, especially Apolipoprotein E (APOE), using computational approaches and leveraging human iPSC models for the development of therapeutic modalities. She has received numerous awards including being selected as a Toffler Scholar, a Druckenmiller Fellowship awardee and recipient of the Carol and Gene Ludwig Award for Neurodegeneration Research. She has organized and chaired several conferences, international scientific conferences.
Christian Haass, PhD
Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich
Christian Haass, Ph.D. is a biochemist with more than 35 years of leadership in the field. He is a Professor of Metabolic Biochemistry at the Ludwig-Maximiians-University, Munich and a member of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE-Munich), which he has led for over 12 years. Dr. Haass was a pioneer in revealing the molecular mechanisms leading to amyloid production, but also discovered protective microglial functions, which can be modulated using agonistic antibodies. He has organized the annual Eibsee Meeting on Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration for more than 20 years. Haass is a shared recipient of the Brain Prize with Bart De Strooper, Michel Goedert and John Hardy.
Emma Mead, PhD
Oxford Drug Discovery Institute
Emma Mead, Ph.D. is Chief Scientific Officer at Alzheimer's Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute (ODDI). Prior to joining ODDI, Dr. Mead was a senior scientists and team coordinator at Eli Lilly, where she worked in target validation and early drug discovery for neurodegeneration and established an in vitro neuroinflammation assay platform. She currently leads Alzheimer's research at the ODDI utilizing human iPSC cultures for target validation and develops cell-based screening assays to support the advancement of neuroinflammatory projects.
Available Formats:
Supported by:
Livestream
In Person
On Demand
***Meeting program subject to change.
Available Formats: = Livestream = In Person = On DemandMonday, June 22, 2026
Fundraising
Booking Function
Merchandise Options
Registration Options
Registration
4:00–8:00 PM
Macdonald Foyer
Welcome Mixer
6:00–8:00 PM
Macdonald Foyer
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Macdonald CDEF
Welcome Remarks (Joint)
8:00–8:10 AM
Macdonald AB
Keynote Address (Joint)
8:10–9:30 AM
Macdonald AB
Christian Haass, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich
Modulation of Microglial Function
Modulation of Microglial Function
Astrid Iversen, University of Oxford
Genomic Risk for Neuroinflammation
Genomic Risk for Neuroinflammation
Coffee Break
9:30–9:50 AM
Macdonald Foyer
Integrating Degeneration and Inflammation (Joint)
9:50–11:30 AM
Macdonald AB
Maria de Lourdes Gamez G Tansey, Indiana University
Role of Central-Peripheral Neuroimmune Cross-Talk in Neurodegeneration
Role of Central-Peripheral Neuroimmune Cross-Talk in Neurodegeneration
Bart De Strooper, University College London
Key Inflection Points in Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis
Key Inflection Points in Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis
Naresha Saligrama, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis
Short Talk: Specificity of CD4 T Cell Response in Parkinson Disease and in a Mouse Model of Synucleinopathy
Short Talk: Specificity of CD4 T Cell Response in Parkinson Disease and in a Mouse Model of Synucleinopathy
Pengjiao Wang, Boston University
Short Talk: Unique Progenitor Cells in the APOE3 Christchurch Brain and Their Potential Resilient Roles in Alzheimer’s Disease
Short Talk: Unique Progenitor Cells in the APOE3 Christchurch Brain and Their Potential Resilient Roles in Alzheimer’s Disease
Poster Setup
11:30–1:00 PM
Macdonald CDEF
On Own for Lunch
11:30–5:00 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Macdonald CDEF
Panel Discussion: From Research to Clinical Practice
3:30–4:30 PM
Macdonald AB
* Julia TCW, Boston University
Emma Mead, Oxford Drug Discovery Institute
Christian Haass, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich
Kate Monroe, Denali Therapeutics
Justin Ichida, USC Keck School of Medicine
Haiyan Peng, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
Dennis J. Selkoe, Harvard Medical School
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Macdonald Foyer
Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostic to Therapeutics
5:00–7:00 PM
Empress Ballroom
Yimin Zou, University of California, San Diego
Planar Cell Polarity Proteins in Synapse Degeneration
Planar Cell Polarity Proteins in Synapse Degeneration
Henne Holstege, Amsterdam UMC
Biomarker for Centenarians
Biomarker for Centenarians
Matthias Brendel, LMU Munich
Molecular Imaging with PET for Translation towards Therapeutics
Molecular Imaging with PET for Translation towards Therapeutics
Sam Gandy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Short Talk: Endogenously generated Alzheimer's Nonfibrillar Oligomeric Aβ: Association with Dysfunctional Presynaptic Cytoplasmic Organelles And Visualization In Vivo with a Novel PET Ligand
Short Talk: Endogenously generated Alzheimer's Nonfibrillar Oligomeric Aβ: Association with Dysfunctional Presynaptic Cytoplasmic Organelles And Visualization In Vivo with a Novel PET Ligand
Peisheng Xu, University of South Carolina
Short Talk: Brain-Targeted Nano-ERASER Downregulates PD-L1 for Alzheimer’s Disease Therapy
Short Talk: Brain-Targeted Nano-ERASER Downregulates PD-L1 for Alzheimer’s Disease Therapy
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Macdonald CDEF
Women in Science Networking Event
7:05–8:00 PM
Macdonald CDEF
* Julia TCW, Boston University
* Christian Haass, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich
* Emma Mead, Oxford Drug Discovery Institute
* Robyn S Klein, Western University, London, Ontario
* Maria de Lourdes Gamez G Tansey, Indiana University
* Henne Holstege, Amsterdam UMC
Poster Session 1
7:30–10:00 PM
Macdonald CDEF
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Macdonald CDEF
Disease Overarching Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative Diseases
8:00–11:00 AM
Empress Ballroom
Julia TCW, Boston University
Lipophagic Defect by APOE4 in AD Glia
Lipophagic Defect by APOE4 in AD Glia
Justin Ichida, USC Keck School of Medicine
Using Patient Stem Cells to Identify Therapeutic Targets for Familial and Sporadic ALS
Using Patient Stem Cells to Identify Therapeutic Targets for Familial and Sporadic ALS
Aaron D. Gitler, Stanford University School of Medicine
Single Cell Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration
Single Cell Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration
Michael D Gallagher, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
Short Talk: Perturb-Seq in Human Microglia-Like Cells Links Neurodegenerative GWAS Variants to Causal Risk Genes and Shared Downstream Pathways
Short Talk: Perturb-Seq in Human Microglia-Like Cells Links Neurodegenerative GWAS Variants to Causal Risk Genes and Shared Downstream Pathways
Laura Bott, Northwestern University
Short Talk: Interindividual Variation in Proteostasis Shapes Resilience and Disease Trajectories in Protein Misfolding Disorders
Short Talk: Interindividual Variation in Proteostasis Shapes Resilience and Disease Trajectories in Protein Misfolding Disorders
Garrett Fogo, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Short Talk: Multi-omic Profiling of Human iPSC-derived Glial Cells Identifies Genetic and Molecular Drivers of Mitochondrial and Lysosomal Systems
Short Talk: Multi-omic Profiling of Human iPSC-derived Glial Cells Identifies Genetic and Molecular Drivers of Mitochondrial and Lysosomal Systems
Zhen Yan, State University of New York at Buffalo
Short Talk: Histone Demethylase PHF2 Regulates Inflammatory Genes in Alzheimer's Disease
Short Talk: Histone Demethylase PHF2 Regulates Inflammatory Genes in Alzheimer's Disease
Coffee Break
9:00–9:20 AM
Macdonald Foyer
Poster Setup
11:00–1:00 PM
Macdonald CDEF
On Own for Lunch
11:00–5:00 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Macdonald CDEF
Health Equity Panel (Joint) sponsored by The Burroughs Wellcome Fund
1:15–2:45 PM
Macdonald AB
Jennifer Manly, Columbia University
Maria de Lourdes Gamez G Tansey, Indiana University
Kate Monroe, Denali Therapeutics
Dennis J. Selkoe, Harvard Medical School
Jamaine Davis, Belmont University
Career Roundtable (Joint)
3:00–4:30 PM
Empress Ballroom
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Macdonald Foyer
Myeloid-Based Disease Mechanisms for Neurodegenerative Diseases
5:00–7:00 PM
Empress Ballroom
Donna M. Wilcock, Indiana University School of Medicine
Remote Presentation:Therapeutic Trem2 Activation Ameliorates Amyloid-beta Deposition and Improves Cognition in the 5XFAD Model of Amyloid Deposition
Remote Presentation:Therapeutic Trem2 Activation Ameliorates Amyloid-beta Deposition and Improves Cognition in the 5XFAD Model of Amyloid Deposition
Zhiqiang An, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Antibodies Targeting the LILRB2/TREM2 Axis in AD
Antibodies Targeting the LILRB2/TREM2 Axis in AD
Jessie Premereur, VIB-CMN
Short Talk: ABCA7 Controls Microglial Activation in Alzheimer’s Disease by Regulating Phosphatidyl Inositol Metabolism
Short Talk: ABCA7 Controls Microglial Activation in Alzheimer’s Disease by Regulating Phosphatidyl Inositol Metabolism
Jean Paul Chadarevian, UC Irvine
Short Talk: Therapeutic Potential of iPSC-derived Microglia Replacement for the Treatment of GRN-related Frontotemporal Dementia
Short Talk: Therapeutic Potential of iPSC-derived Microglia Replacement for the Treatment of GRN-related Frontotemporal Dementia
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Macdonald CDEF
Poster Session 2
7:30–10:00 PM
Macdonald CDEF
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Macdonald CDEF
Drug Delivery (Joint)
8:00–11:00 AM
Macdonald AB
Fiona C. Elwood, Janssen R&D
Developing Drugs for CNS Disorders: Considerations for Therapies That Cross the BBB
Developing Drugs for CNS Disorders: Considerations for Therapies That Cross the BBB
Kate Monroe, Denali Therapeutics
Human Genetics Identifies Novel Microglial Targeting Therapeutic Approaches for Alzheimer's Disease
Human Genetics Identifies Novel Microglial Targeting Therapeutic Approaches for Alzheimer's Disease
Sebastian Boland, Prevail Therapeutics, Eli Lilly
Gene Therapy for Type 2 Gaucher Disease — Interim Results From the PROVIDE Clinical Trial
Gene Therapy for Type 2 Gaucher Disease — Interim Results From the PROVIDE Clinical Trial
Christopher J. Barnum, INmune Bio Inc.
Selective Targeting of Soluble TNF to Mitigate Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Selective Targeting of Soluble TNF to Mitigate Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Emily Han, University of Pennsylvania
Short Talk: Understanding the Chemical and Biological Phenomena That Drive mRNA Lipid Nanoparticle Delivery to the Brain
Short Talk: Understanding the Chemical and Biological Phenomena That Drive mRNA Lipid Nanoparticle Delivery to the Brain
Urs Langen, Roche Innovation Center Basel
Short Talk: Beyond the Shuttle: Advances in Brain Delivery of Biologics for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Short Talk: Beyond the Shuttle: Advances in Brain Delivery of Biologics for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Coffee Break
9:00–9:20 AM
Macdonald Foyer
Award Recipient Acknowledgement
9:20–9:25 AM
Macdonald AB
On Own for Lunch
11:00–5:00 PM
Symposia Spotlight
2:30–4:30 PM
Macdonald AB
Tae Wan Kim, DGIST
Short Talk: Next Generation of hPSC-Based Cell Replacement Therapy for Parkinson's Disease
Short Talk: Next Generation of hPSC-Based Cell Replacement Therapy for Parkinson's Disease
Theodore J Zwang, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Short Talk: Tau Drives Cell Specific Functional Isolation of the Hippocampal Formation
Short Talk: Tau Drives Cell Specific Functional Isolation of the Hippocampal Formation
Shuo-Chien Ling, National University of Singapore
Short Talk: Horizontal Transfer of Excess Cholesterol from Motor Neurons Enhances Myelination and Preserves Motor Circuit Function
Short Talk: Horizontal Transfer of Excess Cholesterol from Motor Neurons Enhances Myelination and Preserves Motor Circuit Function
Joshua Samuels, University of Virginia
Short Talk: SHP-1 Loss Enhances Microglial Immune Functions and Reduces Aβ Plaque Burden Via MMP-12-Mediated Degradation in Aβ Amyloidosis
Short Talk: SHP-1 Loss Enhances Microglial Immune Functions and Reduces Aβ Plaque Burden Via MMP-12-Mediated Degradation in Aβ Amyloidosis
Dominic Acri, National Institute on Aging
Short Talk: Transcriptional Reprogramming Links PIKfyve Inhibition to Microglial Activation
Short Talk: Transcriptional Reprogramming Links PIKfyve Inhibition to Microglial Activation
Thomas Marsh, Washington University in St. Louis
Short Talk: Discovery of Genes Robustly Associated with ADAD Through Integration of Three Human Model Systems
Short Talk: Discovery of Genes Robustly Associated with ADAD Through Integration of Three Human Model Systems
Rebecca L Pinals, Stanford University
Short Talk: Engineering a 3D Human Blood-Brain Barrier-on-Chip to Model Inflammation-Driven Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease
Short Talk: Engineering a 3D Human Blood-Brain Barrier-on-Chip to Model Inflammation-Driven Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Macdonald Foyer
Target-Based Therapeutics
5:00–6:30 PM
Empress Ballroom
Emma Mead, Oxford Drug Discovery Institute
USP11 Inhibitors and tau Proteostasis
USP11 Inhibitors and tau Proteostasis
Haiyan Peng, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
The Application of RNAi Therapeutics in Neurodegenerative Diseases
The Application of RNAi Therapeutics in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Christiane D Wrann, Massachusetts General Hospital
How Physical Activity Protects the Brain—Cell by Cell—in Alzheimer's Disease
How Physical Activity Protects the Brain—Cell by Cell—in Alzheimer's Disease
Closing Keynote Address
6:30–7:15 PM
Empress Ballroom
Dennis J. Selkoe, Harvard Medical School
A Century of Alzheimer’s Research – Did We Finally Reach Our Goal?
A Century of Alzheimer’s Research – Did We Finally Reach Our Goal?
Meeting Wrap-Up: Outcomes and Future Directions
7:15–7:30 PM
Empress Ballroom
Social Hour with Dinner
7:30–8:30 PM
Macdonald CDEF
Entertainment
8:30–9:30 PM
Macdonald CDEF
Cash Bar
8:30–9:30 PM
Macdonald CDEF
Friday, June 26, 2026
Departure
12:00–11:59 PM
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