The Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB) traveled to Reno, Nevada, for the first time in its history to host its 2026 Annual Meeting and 80th Anniversary Celebration. The 2026 SIVB meeting, held June 6 – 10, 2026, at the Peppermill Resort and Spa, brought together researchers, educators, students, industry representatives, and government scientists from around the world to share advances in in vitro biology of plants and animals and to celebrate eight decades of scientific achievement. The meeting continued SIVB’s tradition of fostering a unique environment where established leaders, early-career scientists, postdoctoral researchers, and students could exchange ideas, forge collaborations, and advance the field of in vitro biology. The 2026 SIVB meeting filled up the venue with over 475 attendees, and over 270 submitted abstracts.
Consistent with the Society’s commitment to maximizing scientific engagement, the 2026 meeting featured a full Saturday schedule that immediately launched attendees into an intensive program of learning and collaboration. This included a PlantGENE workshop on “Advances in Plant Transformation: Morphogenic Genes and NextGen Agrobacterium” and two NSF grant-supported sessions on “AUTOMATION 101: Stepping into Automation,” and “Panel Discussion on Lab Automation Platforms: Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives.” Beginning the scientific program on Saturday allowed attendees to take full advantage of the breadth of expertise present at the meeting while creating additional opportunities for networking, mentorship, and interaction among students, early-career scientists, and established investigators. The expanded schedule set an energetic tone for the remainder of the conference and contributed significantly to the meeting’s success.
The 2026 meeting featured a dynamic and comprehensive scientific program that included symposia, workshops, plenary sessions, oral presentations, lightning talks, poster sessions, virtual posters, and professional development activities. Scientific sessions highlighted emerging discoveries and technologies in plant biotechnology, animal cell science, genome editing, genomics, synthetic biology, applications of artificial intelligence, spatial omics, transgene containment strategies, and innovative in vitro technologies. The breadth of topics reflected the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of in vitro biology and showcased the Society’s commitment to scientific excellence and innovation.
A special highlight of the meeting was the 80th Anniversary Keynote Session featuring two distinguished long-time SIVB members whose careers have helped shape the Society and the field of in vitro biology. Dr. Delia R. Bethell presented “The Society for In Vitro Biology, 80 Years of Commitment to the Teaching and Standardization of the Science of In Vitro Cell and Tissue Culture,” reflecting on the Society’s evolution from its origins as the Tissue Culture Association in 1946 to the globally recognized organization it is today. Dr. Indra K. Vasil, an internationally renowned plant biologist and pioneer in plant biotechnology, delivered “A Witness to the History of Plant Biotechnology in the SIVB: An Homage to Mentors,” sharing his unique perspective on the development of plant tissue culture, genetic improvement of crops, and the Society’s role in advancing biotechnology over the past six decades. Together, their presentations provided attendees with both a historical perspective and an inspiring vision for the future of in vitro biology, making the anniversary celebration especially meaningful for members across generations. Additionally, their presentations provided attendees with a unique opportunity to appreciate the Society’s legacy while exploring future directions and emerging opportunities for scientific discovery. The anniversary celebration reinforced the importance of SIVB’s role in advancing research, education, and collaboration within the scientific community.
Student and postdoctoral engagement remained a central priority of the meeting. Through specialized workshops, networking activities, competitions, and presentation opportunities, SIVB continued its strong commitment to supporting the next generation of scientists. Student-led initiatives and professional development programming were well attended and provided valuable opportunities for participants to enhance their communication, leadership, and research skills while expanding their professional networks.
The meeting provided numerous opportunities for attendees to present their work through oral presentations, lightning talks, poster presentations, virtual posters, and silent abstracts. These sessions showcased the latest scientific advances and encouraged meaningful discussions among participants from diverse scientific backgrounds. The continued emphasis on member participation and broad scientific representation contributed significantly to the program’s success and vibrancy.
An important strength of the 2026 meeting was the exceptional networking environment fostered by the Society. The combination of a highly focused scientific community and an intimate meeting format enabled meaningful interactions among colleagues, collaborators, mentors, and trainees. As part of the 80th Anniversary Reunion, many longtime members reconnected while new attendees established relationships that will support future collaborations and scientific advancement.
The meeting recognized many outstanding individuals and awardees. Dr. Dennis Gray and Dr. Peggy Ozias-Akins were presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award; the Distinguished Scientist Award was presented to Dr. Marceline Egnin; the Fellow Award was presented to Dr. Allan Wenck and Dr. Margaret Young; and the Early Career Award was presented to Ms. Uyen Cao Chu and Dr. Zoe Zhu. Details of other awardees can be found on the SIVB website.
The success of the meeting was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the Program Committee, section leadership, Education Committee, Local Organizing Committee, SIVB Board of Directors, Business Office staff, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, and the many members who contributed their time and expertise. Their commitment ensured a high-quality scientific and professional experience for all participants, and helped make the Society’s 80th Anniversary Meeting a memorable milestone in SIVB history.
As SIVB celebrates eighty years of achievement, the Reno meeting demonstrated the Society’s continuing vitality, innovation, and collaborative spirit. The outstanding science, strong student participation, and enthusiastic member engagement reflected the bright future of in vitro biology. The Society looks forward to building on this success and continuing its mission to advance research, education, and communication in the years ahead.
Michele Schultz and her team at Innovations Essentials ensured, once again, that every aspect of the meeting’s planning and execution proceeded smoothly and efficiently. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to the Society were instrumental in the success of the 2026 Annual Meeting. On a personal note, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Michele for her guidance, support, and countless efforts throughout the planning process. Her dedication, patience, and deep knowledge of the Society make even the most complex tasks manageable, and we are especially grateful for her partnership and friendship during this milestone 80th Anniversary meeting. The SIVB is truly fortunate to benefit from her tireless commitment and service.
Looking forward to the 2027 SIVB meeting at St. Louis, MO, John Harbell is already developing a fantastic 2027 program along with Vaibhav Tiwari (VT), the In Vitro Animal Cell Sciences (IVACS) Program Chair, and Jon Mahoney, the Plant Biotechnology (PB) Program Chair. We hope to see you at our 81st year in St. Louis next June!
Submitted by
Consistent with the Society’s commitment to maximizing scientific engagement, the 2026 meeting featured a full Saturday schedule that immediately launched attendees into an intensive program of learning and collaboration. This included a PlantGENE workshop on “Advances in Plant Transformation: Morphogenic Genes and NextGen Agrobacterium” and two NSF grant-supported sessions on “AUTOMATION 101: Stepping into Automation,” and “Panel Discussion on Lab Automation Platforms: Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives.” Beginning the scientific program on Saturday allowed attendees to take full advantage of the breadth of expertise present at the meeting while creating additional opportunities for networking, mentorship, and interaction among students, early-career scientists, and established investigators. The expanded schedule set an energetic tone for the remainder of the conference and contributed significantly to the meeting’s success.
The 2026 meeting featured a dynamic and comprehensive scientific program that included symposia, workshops, plenary sessions, oral presentations, lightning talks, poster sessions, virtual posters, and professional development activities. Scientific sessions highlighted emerging discoveries and technologies in plant biotechnology, animal cell science, genome editing, genomics, synthetic biology, applications of artificial intelligence, spatial omics, transgene containment strategies, and innovative in vitro technologies. The breadth of topics reflected the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of in vitro biology and showcased the Society’s commitment to scientific excellence and innovation.
A special highlight of the meeting was the 80th Anniversary Keynote Session featuring two distinguished long-time SIVB members whose careers have helped shape the Society and the field of in vitro biology. Dr. Delia R. Bethell presented “The Society for In Vitro Biology, 80 Years of Commitment to the Teaching and Standardization of the Science of In Vitro Cell and Tissue Culture,” reflecting on the Society’s evolution from its origins as the Tissue Culture Association in 1946 to the globally recognized organization it is today. Dr. Indra K. Vasil, an internationally renowned plant biologist and pioneer in plant biotechnology, delivered “A Witness to the History of Plant Biotechnology in the SIVB: An Homage to Mentors,” sharing his unique perspective on the development of plant tissue culture, genetic improvement of crops, and the Society’s role in advancing biotechnology over the past six decades. Together, their presentations provided attendees with both a historical perspective and an inspiring vision for the future of in vitro biology, making the anniversary celebration especially meaningful for members across generations. Additionally, their presentations provided attendees with a unique opportunity to appreciate the Society’s legacy while exploring future directions and emerging opportunities for scientific discovery. The anniversary celebration reinforced the importance of SIVB’s role in advancing research, education, and collaboration within the scientific community.
Student and postdoctoral engagement remained a central priority of the meeting. Through specialized workshops, networking activities, competitions, and presentation opportunities, SIVB continued its strong commitment to supporting the next generation of scientists. Student-led initiatives and professional development programming were well attended and provided valuable opportunities for participants to enhance their communication, leadership, and research skills while expanding their professional networks.
The meeting provided numerous opportunities for attendees to present their work through oral presentations, lightning talks, poster presentations, virtual posters, and silent abstracts. These sessions showcased the latest scientific advances and encouraged meaningful discussions among participants from diverse scientific backgrounds. The continued emphasis on member participation and broad scientific representation contributed significantly to the program’s success and vibrancy.
An important strength of the 2026 meeting was the exceptional networking environment fostered by the Society. The combination of a highly focused scientific community and an intimate meeting format enabled meaningful interactions among colleagues, collaborators, mentors, and trainees. As part of the 80th Anniversary Reunion, many longtime members reconnected while new attendees established relationships that will support future collaborations and scientific advancement.
The meeting recognized many outstanding individuals and awardees. Dr. Dennis Gray and Dr. Peggy Ozias-Akins were presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award; the Distinguished Scientist Award was presented to Dr. Marceline Egnin; the Fellow Award was presented to Dr. Allan Wenck and Dr. Margaret Young; and the Early Career Award was presented to Ms. Uyen Cao Chu and Dr. Zoe Zhu. Details of other awardees can be found on the SIVB website.
The success of the meeting was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the Program Committee, section leadership, Education Committee, Local Organizing Committee, SIVB Board of Directors, Business Office staff, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, and the many members who contributed their time and expertise. Their commitment ensured a high-quality scientific and professional experience for all participants, and helped make the Society’s 80th Anniversary Meeting a memorable milestone in SIVB history.
As SIVB celebrates eighty years of achievement, the Reno meeting demonstrated the Society’s continuing vitality, innovation, and collaborative spirit. The outstanding science, strong student participation, and enthusiastic member engagement reflected the bright future of in vitro biology. The Society looks forward to building on this success and continuing its mission to advance research, education, and communication in the years ahead.
Michele Schultz and her team at Innovations Essentials ensured, once again, that every aspect of the meeting’s planning and execution proceeded smoothly and efficiently. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to the Society were instrumental in the success of the 2026 Annual Meeting. On a personal note, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Michele for her guidance, support, and countless efforts throughout the planning process. Her dedication, patience, and deep knowledge of the Society make even the most complex tasks manageable, and we are especially grateful for her partnership and friendship during this milestone 80th Anniversary meeting. The SIVB is truly fortunate to benefit from her tireless commitment and service.
Looking forward to the 2027 SIVB meeting at St. Louis, MO, John Harbell is already developing a fantastic 2027 program along with Vaibhav Tiwari (VT), the In Vitro Animal Cell Sciences (IVACS) Program Chair, and Jon Mahoney, the Plant Biotechnology (PB) Program Chair. We hope to see you at our 81st year in St. Louis next June!
Submitted by
Ahmad Omar
Program Chair
John W. Harbell
Program Vice Chair
Zoe Zhu
IVACS Program Chair
Heqiang “Alfred” Huo
PB Program Chair
