During the first week of June, the Virginia Tech campus welcomed an international community of scientists for the annual Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease (EEID) Conference. With a record 450 attendees from numerous countries and institutions, this year’s gathering reflected both the growth of the field and the collaborative spirit that drives it forward.

Across a week of activities , participants shared research, took part in professional development workshops, explored the region’s landscapes, and strengthened professional networks – advancing a collective effort to better understand and mitigate infectious diseases in a rapidly changing world.

Attendees gather during poster session
Hosted by the Global Change Center and the Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, EEID 2026 created space for rigorous science, open exchange, and meaningful connection.

Prior to the conference, early career trainees took part in two different 3 day workshops focused on quantitative modeling of infectious diseases. The conference then opened with a welcome reception in the President's Suite at the University Club of Virginia Tech, one of campus’s signature spaces. The evening set the tone for the days ahead. It was a high energy atmosphere where old and new colleagues connected, talked science, and kindled new relationships.

Collage of attendees during welcome reception
Attendees reconnected with longtime colleagues, met new collaborators, and settled into the rhythm of the week in one of campus’s signature spaces.

Scientific exchange anchored the conference program. Platform sessions in the Graduate Life Center Auditorium featured research from more than 40 presenters, spanning a wide range of themes and approaches. Poster sessions in Owen’s Ballroom showcased work by more than 250 researchers and buzzed with discussion about current findings and future directions, particularly among early‑career scientists and students.

Collage with images of attendees during talks and poster sessions
Researchers engage across platform and poster sessions, where shared curiosity drove scientific exchange. Poster presenters connected one-on-one with peers, while platform speakers extended their talks through dedicated audience Q&A – creating space to explore ideas more deeply, link concepts across disciplines, and spark new directions for collaboration.

Midweek, participants stepped beyond campus for the annual EEID hikes, exploring local trails at McAfee’s Knob, Mountain Lake, and Cascades Falls. Guided by EEID volunteers, attendees shared time outdoors while learning about regional ecology and biodiversity. That evening, the community gathered again on Eggleston Lawn for a relaxed lawn party with local music, food, and games.

Attendees enjoy lawn games
On Eggleston Lawn, EEID attendees took a break from the lecture hall to connect in a more informal setting. Yard games like cornhole and ladder toss drew small groups together, creating space for conversation, laughter, and continued exchange.

The program also made room for reflection and professional development. Lunchtime sessions included an EEID forum on future plans for the conference, a teaching workshop, and a careers panel — each designed to support connection and inclusive dialogue across career stages.

Attendees gathered in the auditorium during a career panel
During a lunchtime careers panel, attendees gathered to hear candid insights from researchers from different career paths and stages. The session created space for questions and practical guidance, as early‑career scientists connected with mentors and peers while exploring pathways in infectious disease research.

The conference closed with a lively banquet at the German Club of Virginia Tech, where a shared meal, photo booth snapshots, and a very busy dance floor carried the energy of the week late into the evening.

Thank you to everyone who joined EEID 2026 for contributing your ideas, curiosity, and enthusiasm. Your engagement made this year’s conference not only the largest in EEID history, but one that will continue to help shape collaboration and discovery well beyond Blacksburg.

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EEID 2026 was made possible through the generous support of campus partners committed to interdisciplinary research and collaboration. The conference organizers extend their thanks to the Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Global Change Center at Virginia Tech, Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, College of Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Natural Resources and Environment, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Pandemic Prediction and Prevention, and the Center for the Mathematics of Biosystems for their leadership and investment in this community.

Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease Conference at Virginia Tech | June 2026