Annual FIR Symposium
June 4-6, 2026 at the MBL, Woods Hole, MA USA
The FIR Symposium is the annual two-day event that culminates our 6-week training course. Held at the MBL in Woods Hole, the Symposium features lectures from leading figures in reproductive sciences along with presentations on current research topics from course students and FIR alumni representing previous classes. Each Symposium creates a new mix of students, alumni, faculty, and distinguished speakers, enabling world-class networking opportunities with leading figures in the field and among our trainees across class years. The Symposium provides a rich atmosphere, combining focused reports on scientific inquiry with the camaraderie of the shared FIR experience. Over the years, numerous collaborations have emerged from these FIR gatherings; the Symposium has become known among FIRbees as “Everybody’s Favorite Meeting.”
Calling all 2015 & 2016 FIRbees: As we did in 2025, in 2026 we will celebrate belated reunions for FIR2015 and FIR2016, whose 5th year symposia were cancelled due to COVID-19. We are happy to host FIRbees from other years if we have space, so if you have new data and a great presentation, let us know! The 2026 Symposium will also feature prestigious guests and speakers listed below. The program opens on Thursday evening, June 4, with the Mastroianni Memorial Lecture and concludes with our awards banquet on Saturday night, June 6. Travelers should plan to arrive no later than 5pm June 4, and depart on Sunday morning, June 7.
FIRbee alumni and FIR teaching assistants will be considered for presentations via abstract submission. Current topics in any area of reproduction research are encouraged. As mentioned, the Selection Committee will grant priority to abstracts from the 2015 & 2016 FIR classes, although all FIRbees doing outstanding science, presenting new research topics, first-time presenters, and/or those who have not presented at a recent Symposium will be considered.
Our funding has changed, so FIR will provide full support (travel funding, lodging, and meals) to a limited number of alumni to attend the Symposium. Regardless, we encourage everyone hoping to attend to submit abstracts. We work hard to stretch our funding with the aim to get as many of you as possible back together in Woods Hole for a dynamic scientific exchange (and a bunch of FIRbee fun). If you or your lab can contribute financial support, we ask you to please pursue it. As a reference point, costs to FIR for three nights of lodging and your meals (not including the boat trip) are about $1,200.
Instructions for FIRbees who wish to submit a 1-page abstract are available here. The deadline is April 1, 2026.
2026 FIR Symposium Awards
Learn more about the Annual FIR Awards here
Luigi Mastroianni Memorial Lecturer
Anne R. Cappola, MD
Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Executive Director of the Penn Medical Communication Research Institute (PMCRI), Director of Clinical Research in the Department of Medicine, Director of the Center for Human Phenomic Science, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.
Mike McClure Pioneer Award
Sarah A. Robertson, PhD
Professor of Reproductive Immunology, Director Robinson Research Institute, NHMRC investigative Fellow, University of Adelaide, Australia
Jerry Strauss Beacon Awards
Larry Reynolds, PhD
Distinguished University Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University
Adair Osterle
Principal Engineer and Owner, MICROTUL
Rolly Simpson Distinguished Alumni Award
Nucharin Songsasen, DVM, PhD
Research Biologist, Center Head of the Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institut