Vascular Biology 2026
Annual Meeting of NAVBO and the Microcirculatory Society
October 18-22, 2026
Monterey, CA
Keynote Lecture by Kristy Red-Horse,
Stanford University
Jerry Breslin, University of South Florida
Jennifer Fang, Tulane University
Sharon Gerecht, Duke University
Delphine Gomez, University of Pittsburgh
Monica Lee, University of Illinois at Chicago
Stryder Meadows, Tulane University
Juan Melero-Martin, Boston Children's Hospital
Joseph Rutkowski, Texas A&M University
Camilla Ferreira Wenceslau, University of South Carolina
Art Yurdagul, LSU Health Sciences Center - Shreveport
Vascular Biology 2026 Preliminary Program |
||
| Day 1 - Sunday, October 18 | ||
| 2:00-6:00pm | Pre-conference Meeting for Trainees Organizers: Stephen Hammond, Medical College of Wisconsin and Josephine Tan, Amsterdam UMC |
|
| 7:15-9:30pm | Opening Remarks Keynote Lecture - Coronary artery development and regeneration Kristy Red-Horse, Stanford University Earl P. Benditt Award Presentation and Lecture - Genetics informs new therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension Marlene Rabinovitch, Stanford University School of Medicine |
|
| 9:30-10:30pm | Welcome Reception | |
| Day 2 - Monday, October 19 | ||
| 7:30-8:30am | Group Breakfast | Networking 101 for First Time Attendees and Trainees |
| 8:30-10:00am | Regulation of Vascular Development Hemodynamic regulation of vascular development Amber Stratman, Washington University in St. Louis Mural cell recruitment to stabilize the developing vasculature Sarah Childs, University of Calgary |
Cell Communication in Atherosclerosis Restoring endothelial-immune cell communication to resolve vascular inflammation Kathryn Howe, University of Toronto Resolving inflammation as a strategy to treat atherosclerosis Gabrielle Fredman, Albany Medical School |
| 10:30am- 12:00pm |
Vascular Malformations Mechanisms and potential therapies for brain arteriovenous malformation Paul Oh, Barrow Institute Cellular and molecular mechanisms driving aberrant vascular lumen formation in a novel model of venous malformation Elisa Boscolo, Cincinnati Children’s |
Organ crosstalk in cardiometabolic disease Chylomicrons as drivers of inflammation through regulatory T cell metabolism of dietary lipids Alison Kohan, University of Pittsburgh Modulating intercellular communication to combat cardiovascular disease Scott Johnstone, Virginia Tech |
| 12:00-1:00pm | Lunch and Learn for Trainees | Lunch for all others |
| 1:00-2:30pm | Plenary Session: MCS President’s Symposium: Lymphatics in Disease and Development Obesity-Related Lymphedema: Mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets Jorge A. Castorena, Tulane University School of Medicine Calcium signals at the heart of lymphatic muscle cell pacemakings Scott Zawieja, University of Missouri Lymphatic transport from the intestine Gwendalyn Randolph, Washington University in St. Louis Lymphatic button junction and formation Joshua Scallan, University of South Florida |
|
| 2:30-3:15pm | MCS Landis Award – Recipient to be determined | |
| 3:30-4:30pm | Emerging Topics in Microcirculation Presentations chosen from abstracts |
|
| 4:30-5:00pm | Nano-Talks | |
| 5:00-6:00pm | Sponsored Workshop | |
| 6:00-7:00pm | Group Dinner | |
| 7:00-10:00pm | Poster Sessions | |
| Day 3 - Tuesday, October 20 | ||
| 7:30-8:30am | Group Breakfast | |
| 8:30-10:00am | Neurovascular Coupling and Patterning How vascular development informs resilience mechanisms Osama Harraz, University of Vermont Understanding the role of endothelial calcium dynamics in cerebral microcirculation Craig Brown, University of Victoria |
Omics in Inflammatory CVD Uncovering determinants of coronary plaque stability via spatial multiomics Gregory Payne, University of Alabama, Birmingham Unraveling vascular smooth muscle cell biology with stem cell approaches Valentina Lo Sardo, University of Wisconsin-Madison |
| 10:30am-12:00pm | Engineering Strategies for Vascularization and Disease Modeling Engineering angiogenic biomaterials for brain repair Tatiana Segura, Duke University Molecular and signaling basis for human capillary tube morphogenesis George Davis, University of South Florida Engineering strategies to vascularize organoid tissues Quinton Smith, University of California Irvine 3D engineered cultures to study vascular physiology and disease Christopher Chen, Boston University |
|
| 12:00-1:30pm | Career Development Lunch: Exploring Funding Opportunities | Lunch for all others |
| 1:30-3:30pm | Pulmonary Microcirculation in Pulmonary Hypertension Pericytes transit to smooth muscle like cells in the development of hypoxia induced pulmonary hypertension Ke Yuan, Boston Children's Hospital Mitochondrial ASIC1a as a key regulator of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell apoptosis Nikki L Jernigan, University of New Mexico School of Medicine |
Regeneration and Mechanobiology in Vascular Biology Flow-dependent signaling to endothelial KLF2 expression in vascular remodeling and beyond Guillermo Garcia-Cardeña, Harvard Medical School Mechanical and cellular heterogeneity in asymmetric aortic valve calcification Joshua Hutcheson, Florida International University Vessel organotypic plasticity: Are tissue specific endothelial cells needed in cell-based regenerative medicine? Sara Nunes Vasconcelos, University of Toronto Non-canonical functions of telomerase in vascular rejuvenation John Cooke, Houston Methodist Research Institute |
| 3:00-6:00pm | Free Time for informal and unstructured networking Hike with an Established Investigator Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve Unstructured Attendee-driven Meetups Spaces will be available for one-on-one or group meetings with mentors, informal interviews, etc. |
|
| 6:00-7:00pm | Group Dinner | |
| 7:00-10:00pm | Poster Sessions | |
| Day 4 - Wednesday, October 21 | ||
| 7:30-8:30am | Group Breakfast | Career Development Forum Breakfast: Alternate Career Paths |
| 8:30-10:00am | Lymphatics: Aging and Function G protein-coupled receptors in lymphatic development and physiology Kathleen Caron, UNC Chapel Hill The role of lymphatics in mesenteric inflammation Sathish Srinivasan, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation |
Metabolism and Epigenetics Intersection in Cardiovascular Disease Endotheliopathy in obesity and diabetes Zhen Chen, City of Hope Epigenetics and inflammation in cardiovascular disease Katherine Gallagher, University of Michigan |
| 10:30am- 12:00pm |
New Trends in Vascular Biology Presentations will be chosen from abstracts. |
Musculoskeletal Microcirculation Bone microvascular function and dysfunction Rhonda Prisby, University of Texas at Arlington The relationship between microvascular health and neuromuscular function post-stroke Matthew Durand, Medical College of Wisconsin |
| 12:00-1:00pm | Career Development Lunch: Mock Interviews | Group Lunch for all others |
| 1:00-2:30pm | Mechanisms of Vascular Disease and Resilience Smooth muscle pathobiology in vascular disease Daniel Greif, Yale University How vascular development informs resilience mechanisms Victoria Bautch, UNC Chapel Hill Role of endothelial cell cycle in fate specification Karen Hirschi, University of Virginia School of Medicine |
|
| 2:45-4:30pm | NAVBO Award Lectures and Presentations (recipients to be determined) Presentation of the Stephen Schwartz Award Presentation of the Florence Sabin Award Springer Award Presentation and Lecture Folkman Award Presentation and Lecture - From human genetics to precision nanomedicine: Vascular mechanotransduction in health and disease Yung Fang, University of Chicago |
|
| 5:00-7:00pm | Poster Sessions | |
| 7:00-9:00pm | Farewell Dinner, Poster Awards Presentations and Closing Remarks | |
| Day 5 - Thursday, October 22 | ||
| 7:30-8:30am | Group Breakfast | |
Registration will open in January 2026
The abstract submission site will open January 2026
If you wish to support the meeting, please contact Bernadette Englert at bernadette@navbo.org
Vascular Biology 2026 will feature several themes relevant to the vascular biology community: development, genetics, inflammation, matrix biology and bioengineering, mechanotransduction, microcirculation, and vascular malformations. This is your opportunity to reach scientists in a variety of disciplines: cell biology, bioengineering, signal transduction, developmental biology, matrix biology, physiology, cardiology, pathology, molecular biology, to name a few, and gain added visibility for your organization by choosing from our wide array of support opportunities.
Diamond Partner Host the Welcome Reception on October 18, for a contribution of $20,000. In addition to the benefits received by our Strategic Partners (see below), your organization will receive complimentary exhibit space (up to two booths), a banner ad on the NAVBO website for two years, will be featured on the home page of our mobile event app, receive acknowledgement on exclusive signage at the Reception, and a complimentary full page ad on the inside cover of the Summer Newsletter.
Platinum Partner (contribution of $15,000) will be named as the sponsor of one of our poster session receptions and will receive all the benefits received by our Strategic Partners plus a complimentary exhibit booth, a banner ad on the NAVBO web site for one year, a full page ad in our upcoming Newsletter, and additional signage at the meeting.
Gold Partner (contribution $10,000 to $14,999) will obtain the benefits associated with a Strategic Partner, plus a full-page ad in our upcoming Newsletter, a banner ad on our web site for nine months, and be listed as a Gold Partner on meeting signage. In addition, a Gold Partner may choose to support a particular session and be recognized as a Supporter of that session in the meeting program (mobile app).
Strategic Partner (contribution $5,000 to $9,999) will receive acknowledgement on all promotional materials, newsletters and the meeting web site, and at the meeting in signage, slides, and a banner ad on the NAVBO web site for six months.* You will also receive a complimentary half-page ad in an upcoming Newsletter. A Strategic Partner may choose to support a particular refreshment/coffee break and be acknowledged for this onsite. You may add a pdf insert to our “virtual conference bag.”
Event Partner (contribution $2,500-$4,999) will receive acknowledgement on promotional materials, the web site, signage, and the newsletter.* You may add a pdf insert to our “virtual conference bag.”
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:
Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Partners may choose to reserve complimentary exhibit space in the poster sessions for exhibiting products or literature. NAVBO staff can set up and maintain your booth. If a representative is sent to tend the space, their registration fee will be waived; however, all travel and lodging expenses will be the responsibility of the “partner.” This representative will be permitted to attend all sessions, breaks and receptions.
Contributor For educational grants up to $2,499, an organization will be recognized as a “Contributor” and will be
acknowledged as such on promotional materials, the meeting web site, and in the newsletter.*
Literature Table ($500 for one 6’ draped classroom table, no signage provided)
Displays will be set up near the session area and are available to non-profit organizations, government agencies and academic or medical institutions only.
For all contributors and partners:
If you choose, your organization’s logo, in addition to its name, may be included on above mentioned promotional
materials. Names (or logos) of partners will have a link to the organization’s web site from our web site.
No sponsor or partner may have influence in the programming of this meeting.
* Acknowledgement is contingent upon funding being received prior to production of any printed piece and must be confirmed by October 1, 2025, to assure recognition in the final Program.
If you have any questions, please contact Bernadette Englert at (301) 760-7745 or via email at bernadette@navbo.org
Thank you for your support
Helpful Information for Exhibitors at Vascular Biology 2026
In the app:
In addition to your actual booth, you will have a virtual booth within the meeting app. You can customize this and add company information as well as product information.
You will receive a link that will allow you to log in and add this data. We use Oxford Abstracts for our conference app. Information on setting up and managing this virtual booth can be found on their web site at: https://help.oxfordabstracts.com/knowledge/professional-conference-exhibitor-feature-exhibitor-set-up
Please take advantage of this added benefit; attendees will be given access to the program prior to the meeting and will be encouraged to explore the app before reaching the meeting site.
Venue/Hotel/Travel:
Asilomar Conference Grounds
800 Asilomar Blvd
Pacific Grove, CA
Shipping:
All shipments must go to Tricord Convention Services. More information will be forthcoming.
Badge Pick Up:
Please pick up your badge in Merrill Hall. The registration desk will be open from 1:00pm through 7:00pm on Sunday, October 18.
Set-up:
More information will be forthcoming.
Welcome Reception:
Your are invited to attend the Welcome Reception in Merrill Hall from 9-10pm.
Exhibit hours:
See below.
The meeting program is available on the web site – https://navbo.org/vb2026.
October 18 to 22, 2026
Vascular Biology 2026 will feature several themes relevant to the vascular biology community: development and homeostasis, inflammation, matrix biology and bioengineering, and microcirculation. Join us in Monterey, CA.
Plan now to exhibit at this premiere event in the field of vascular biology. Meet with colleagues from around the world and display your latest technology, supplies and equipment to professionals in the fields of vascular and cardiovascular biology.
Vascular Biology 2026 will provide in-depth, cross-disciplinary approaches to subject matter. This meeting brings together leading scientists in cell biology, signal transduction, microcirculation, neurobiology, developmental biology, immunology, cardiology, molecular biology, as well as pathology and physiology who have an underlying interest in vascular biology. We expect 350 participants and approximately 200 abstracts. Usually half of the attendees are principal investigators and about 25% are postdoctoral fellows. The remainder of the attendees are a mix of graduate students and clinician-scientists.
This meeting is co-sponsored by The Microcirculatory Society, whose focus will help to broaden the scope of our meeting program, which features prominent speakers, abstract presentations, poster presentations, round tables on
Career Development, and of course, Exhibits.
Register as an Exhibitor through our online application, which will be available in January
| Exhibitor Booth Sizes/Rates |
Early (Reduced) Rate Due August 15, 2026 |
Regular Rate (after August 16) |
| 6’ x 8’ NAVBO Member Rate |
$1,500 | 1,700 |
| 6’ x 8’ Non-member Rate |
$1,750 | 1,950 |
|
Exhibitor Benefits & Promotion Included with your Contract Visibility within the Meeting Mobile App and Web Site A list of exhibiting companies will be included in the final Meeting Program and will be posted on this web page. Product descriptions are included in the Exhibit Guide, which will be accessible from this web page. A similar listing will be included in the meeting app. Your company contact will have access to both of these listings to add and update information. Registration List Exhibitors will receive the meeting attendee list (after the meeting) free of charge (please note: registrants must be given an opt out from mailings). Integrated with the Posters Scientific poster presentations and exhibits will be co-mingled and located adjacent to session rooms in order to provide exhibitors with the most traffic. Different posters will be presented on each evening.
Our mobile event app includes detailed product descriptions including images and service information in your app profile. Start a dialog in through the chat feature at the meeting and keep it going after the meeting.
PDFs of any literature you would like to share with the registrants (or any site visitor) prior to the meeting. You can advertise webinars, target your products or offer coupons to attendees.
Fee Schedule NAVBO Corporate Members - By August 15 - $1,500 After Aug 15 - $1,700 Non-Members - By August 15 - $1,750 After Aug 15 - $1,950
Sunday, October 18, 2:00–5:00 pm, Fred Farr/Kiln
Monday, October 19, 7:00 pm–10:00 pm* Tuesday, October 20, 7:00 pm–10:00 pm* Wednesday, October 21, 5:00 pm–7:00 pm*
Wednesday, October 21, 7:00-9:00pm
If applicable, schedule pick up of equipment, etc. for Thursday after 9am, October 22, 2026. Exhibits must be kept intact until the closing of the exhibits. All aisles must remain clear for public passage.
|
Exhibitor Rules and Regulations Booth Personnel Exhibitor badges must be worn at all times. NAVBO provides each booth space two (2) paid registrations that will provide full access to all scientific sessions, coffee breaks, lunch on Monday and receptions. Other meals are not included. Booth staff must agree to the meeting Code of Conduct. Additional booth staff or representatives from your company must register as meeting participants.
Exhibiting companies are permitted to distribute promotional materials and other items at their Exhibit Booth location only. All distributed items must be useful to the professional activities of the meeting attendees and made available to all meeting attendees as long as supplies last. No soliciting of registrants is permitted in the aisles, in other exhibitor booths, or in any other area reserved for this meeting. No distribution of literature or other promotional items at hotel guest rooms, or in any other public or private area of the conference center or hotel is permitted.
Exhibitors who require other services such as electricity, will receive ordering information three months prior to the meeting.
Subletting any part of the exhibit space is prohibited.
Consider the many opportunities (http://www.navbo.org/vb2026) for additional visibility to our attendees and web visitors. Meeting supporters are highlighted on the meetings’ web site – www.navbo.org/vb2026 with a link to their web site. Depending on the level of support, your exhibitor fee may be waived. Additional Opportunities for Visibility Advertise in the Summer Newsletter Inside Cover, color, 8.5” x 11” - $750 (includes bleed) Full Page, color, 8” x 10.5” - $600 (w/bleed 8.5x11 - $650) 1/2 Page Horizontal, 8” x 5” color - $350 1/2 Page Vertical, 3.75” x 10.5” color - $325 1/4 Page Vertical, 3.75” x 4.75” color - $200 Specifications High resolution Adobe PDF (with embedded fonts) Insertion Orders and Materials Due May 15, 2026 for the Newsletter Send materials to: Bernadette Englert Email: bernadette@navbo.org
Exhibitors receive 50% off Homepage Banner Ads!! Banners display and rotate with other banner ads - your ad will remain on the web site for one year from order date. Contact bernadette@navbo.org for specifications NAVBO 18501 Kingshill Road Germantown, MD 20874-2211 Tel: (301) 760-7745 · Fax: (301) 540-6903 |
NAVBO and MCS will offer Travel Awards for students and postdocs. Details and the application are within the abstract submission system. You must submit an abstract to be eligible.
We will also hold a poster award competition. Those who receive a travel award will not be eligible for the poster award.
Childcare grants will also be available - more details will be available in January 2026.
For International Travelers to NAVBO Meetings
NAVBO is happy to help you in acquiring a Visa in order to facilitate your attendance at one of our meetings by issuing a letter of invitation, however, the following is required:
Prior to receiving a letter of invitation, each individual requesting an invitation letter must first register and pay for the conference. Conference registration fees are refundable (less the designated processing fee) if the visa application is denied. The refund request must be received in writing.
Once the payment has been received, requests for Letters of Invitation should be addressed by email directly to Bernadette Englert at bernadette@navbo.org. Please note that each individual requesting an invitation letter must email a separate request.
A letter of invitation is issued solely for the purpose of assisting participants with visa applications. Such a letter does not imply any financial obligation on the part of NAVBO. All expenses incurred in relation to the meeting are the sole responsibility of the attendee(s).
Please note that we cannot guarantee that you will receive a visa. The decision to grant visas is at the sole discretion of the Embassy or Consulate offices. NAVBO will not be able to contact or intervene with Embassy or Consulate offices on your behalf. NAVBO cannot change the decision of the Embassy or Consulate offices should your application be denied.
The following information is required before a letter of invitation can be issued:
Your CV (curriculum vitae or resume)
Name as it appears on your passport
Title/Position (Professor, graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, etc.)
Institutional address
City, Province, Country, Postal Code
Personal Street Address
City, Province, Country, Postal Code
Email
Passport number
Date of issuance
Date of expiration
Place of issue
Date of Birth
Place of birth
Nationality
You should also indicate briefly why you want to attend the conference.
All letters of invitation are generic in nature and will be signed and sent in PDF format that can be printed by the requester(s). No mailed (postal) letters of invitation will be sent. Due to the costs involved, we cannot send letters of invitation via express mail services.
It is the traveler's responsibility to check and confirm current visa requirements to enter the United States. To see if you require a visa, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wizard.html. NAVBO cannot be held responsible for travelers who do not confirm their visa requirements or who do not obtain the appropriate paperwork for travel to the conference.
For additional information regarding traveling in the United States, consult https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html or http://www.dhs.gov/how-do-i/visit-united-states.
Another helpful page is https://www.insuremytrip.com/research/us-travel-visa-information/ - please note we are NOT endorsing the services of Insure My Trip.
This procedure is intended to assist participants who need to obtain a visa to attend the conference and is not an official invitation covering fees and/or any other expenses or financial support for attendance. NAVBO does not assume responsibility for the outcome of your visa application.
Anti‐Harassment and Code of Conduct Policy
The North American Vascular Biology Organization is dedicated to providing a harassment‐free conference experience for everyone, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, physical appearance, body size, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate for any conference venue. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to sex, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion or other areas of intimidation
- Sexual images in public spaces
- Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
- Harassing photography or recording
- Sustained disruption of talks or other events
- Inappropriate physical contact
- Unwelcome sexual attention
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the conference with no refund.
Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. We expect participants to follow these rules at all event venues and event‐related social activities.
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible to any NAVBO staff person. Harassment and other code of conduct violations reduce the value of our event for everyone. You can make a report either personally or anonymously.
Reporting and Resolution
Any violation of this policy should be reported. If you experience or witness discrimination, harassment, or bullying, you are encouraged to make your unease or disapproval known to the individual at the time the incident occurs, but only if you are comfortable doing so. You are also urged to report any incident by:
- Filing a complaint with Bernadette Englert, the NAVBO Executive Officer (bernadette@navbo.org) or Sharon DeRosa Smolen, NAVBO Education Coordinator (sharon@navbo.org)
- You may also file a complaint with the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) by visiting their web site: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/index.html
Complaints should be filed as soon as possible after an incident. To ensure the prompt and thorough investigation of the complaint, the complainant should provide as much information as is possible, such as names, dates, locations, and steps taken. The Executive Officer will investigate the alleged violation.
Please note that filing a complaint with the conference organizer(s) is not required before filing a complaint of discrimination with HHS OCR, and that seeking assistance from the conference organizer in no way prohibits filing complaints with HHS OCR as well. If a participant has concerns of harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and other forms of inappropriate conduct at NIH-supported conferences, you can also notify NIH. See the information on this web page: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/harassment/find-help.htm
If an investigation results in a finding that an individual has committed a violation, the organizers will take the actions necessary to protect those involved in its activities from any future discrimination, harassment, or bullying, including in appropriate circumstances the removal of an individual from the current activity and a ban on participation in future activities.
Photography within sessions is STRICTLY PROHIBITED
You may not record, photograph or capture in anyway, slides projected on screens or posters on display.
Vascular Biology 2026 starts in:
See what's in the virtual conference bag!