2026 Symposium on Structural Biology
Van Andel Institute’s Symposium on Structural Biology will bring together leaders and innovators from across the field to explore the latest research, showcase emerging technologies and foster scientific exchange.
The 2026 program will highlight advances in cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), including sample preparation strategies, methodological advances, and new tools, software and computational approaches that are transforming in situ structural biology. In parallel, the symposium will feature leading work in single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and related approaches that continue to drive high-resolution insights into macromolecular structure and function. The symposium also will celebrate the installation of VAI’s Arctis PFIB/SEM, a cutting-edge platform that enables advanced cryo-ET and represents a major new capability for structural biology research at VAI.
For more information on becoming a sponsor, please contact Allison Baker.
When is the Symposium on Structural Biology? How much does it cost?
The Symposium on Structural Biology will take place July 30–31, 2026. Registration will open in February 2026 and close July 16, 2026.
- $50 for trainees (graduate students and postdoctoral fellows)
- $100 for non-trainees
What if I need other accommodations?
Please contact Allison Baker to discuss any special accommodation needs.
How do I become a sponsor?
Please contact Allison Baker for more information on sponsorship opportunities.
When is the registration deadline for the Symposium on Structural Biology?
The registration deadline is July 16, 2026.
When is the refund deadline?
The refund deadline is July 23, 2026.
What is the refund policy?
Refund requests must be made in writing to the Symposium on Structural Biology by July 23, 2026. After July 23, refund requests will not be honored. If you are not able to attend, a substitute may attend in your place. The name and email address of the substitute must be emailed to Courtney Zirkle prior to July 23, 2026.
Code of Conduct Guidelines
We are dedicated to providing a harassment-free, non-discriminatory symposium experience for all participants, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, pregnancy, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other personal characteristics covered by applicable law. We will not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. We expect participants at our events to engage in constructive and professional discussions at all times. Harassment can include unwelcomed attention, inappropriate comments or jokes that refer to sexual topics, requests for dates, or other sexual activities as well as the use of language that may demean or degrade individuals. These behaviors are not appropriate for any of our conference venues, including talks, workshops, networking sessions, poster sessions, social networking platforms, and other online media platforms. Any participant violating these guidelines will be removed from the symposium at the discretion of the conference organizers.
Anyone who has experienced the above, or who has witnessed such behavior, should notify Courtney Zirkle. Anonymous reporting may also be done through the EthicsPoint Hotline.
Ralph and Grace Hauenstein Endowed Chair in Structural Biology
Chair, Department of Structural Biology, Van Andel Institute
Dr. Huilin Li studies how cells copy DNA, build and modify proteins, and maintain their internal health — processes that are essential for life and often disrupted in disease. His work reveals how these molecular systems function at the most fundamental level, providing insights relevant to major public health challenges such as tuberculosis, cancer and neurological disorders. Dr. Li has been a leader in visualizing complex biological machinery for more than three decades.
Assistant Professor, Department of Structural Biology, Van Andel Institute
Dr. Travis Walton studies the cellular cytoskeleton, which provides structure and stability to cells. Problems with this critical architecture can contribute to a wide range of human diseases. Dr. Walton’s lab uses leading-edge imaging technologies to identify vulnerabilities in the cytoskeleton that can lead to novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
Assistant Professor, Department of Structural Biology, Van Andel Institute
Dr. Yang Yang employs the latest imaging technologies to illuminate how disease-related proteins misfold and assemble in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Her research has revealed the structures of critical protein filaments found in patient brain tissue, and provides fundamental insights that can inform the development of improved diagnostic and treatment strategies.
Director, Cryo-EM Core, Van Andel Institute
Dr. Gongpu Zhao joined Van Andel Institute in 2016, where he helped launch the Cryo-EM Core and facilitate its development into a central resource for structural biology research. He came from a postdoctoral fellowship in the Peijun Zhang Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh, where he played a leading role in determining the structure of the HIV-1 capsid, the outer “shell” of the virus. At Van Andel Institute, Dr. Zhao focuses on advancing cryo-electron microscopy technologies, with particular emphasis on developing new sample preparation workflows, in situ cryo-ET methods and imaging strategies that enable high-resolution structural analysis.
Event Details
Contact Info:
Email: Allison Baker