From May 17–20, over 1,000 researchers and scientists gathered in Minneapolis to share their latest insights and breakthroughs, network with colleagues and peers, connect with their committees, divisions, and boards, and explore all aspects of the world of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics.

thank you

to all who attended and presented for making the ASPET 2026 Annual Meeting such a wonderful experience!

Opening General Session

Community Service Project

Attendees volunteered to fill snack bags for People Serving People, a local Minneapolis organization dedicated to supporting those experiencing family homelessness. In total, the volunteers filled over 800 packs!

Welcome Reception at U.S. Bank Stadium

Attendees live out their NFL dreams at the home of the Minnesota Vikings while mingling at the welcome reception.

Keynote Sessions

Annual Meeting Perspective

Elspeth “Beth” Allen

Elspeth “Beth” Allen is an M.S. candidate in Biochemistry at California State University, Northridge, where she conducts research in the Abrol Computational Biochemistry Laboratory. Her research uses molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the structural mechanisms underlying constitutive activity of GPCRs, with broader interests in computational drug discovery, protein dynamics, and structure–function relationships. In addition to her research, she has taught undergraduate general and organic chemistry laboratories at CSUN for the past three years. She plans to pursue a career in industry following graduation.

What were your expectations or hopes for the ASPET 2026 Annual Meeting? Were those expectations met?

I was hoping to have meaningful conversations with other scientists about my research, both to get fresh perspectives on the project and to gather ideas for experiments that could strengthen the overall story. Those expectations were definitely met. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by how well attended the poster sessions were and by the level of engagement from attendees. I received thoughtful, constructive feedback and had several insightful discussions that challenged me to think about the project in new ways. I left the meeting with a number of ideas that I’m excited to explore as the work moves forward.

Which session or event did you enjoy most?

I especially enjoyed the poster sessions. The conference organizers did an excellent job creating an engaging, collegial atmosphere that encouraged strong attendance and meaningful scientific discussion; not to mention the whimsical snacks and drinks! When I wasn’t presenting, I enjoyed speaking with other presenters about their work, and I greatly appreciated the thoughtful feedback I received during my own session.

The talks were excellent as well, and I only wish I could have attended all of them! One session that particularly stood out was Drug–Microbiome Interactions. Because it falls outside my primary area of research, it introduced me to concepts I had not previously considered. I found the session both fascinating and eye-opening, and it sparked an interest that I plan to explore further in my own reading and research.

What do you plan to use from your conference experiences?

One of the most valuable outcomes of the conference was the opportunity to connect with researchers working on related problems, and I hope some of those conversations will grow into future collaborations. Additionally, the career workshops were especially timely as I prepare to transition from academia to industry. I have already begun implementing many of the strategies I learned, particularly those related to networking, professional branding, and making effective use of LinkedIn.

What advice would you give someone attending their first meeting at ASPET 2027?

My biggest piece of advice would be to make full use of the conference app. I found it incredibly helpful for planning my schedule in advance and keeping track of my itinerary throughout the meeting. It was also a valuable networking tool. Being able to search for attendees by name, presentation, or poster title and message them in the app made it easy to reconnect after a talk, continue a scientific discussion, or connect on LinkedIn.

I would also encourage first-time attendees to take advantage of the poster sessions. In addition to showcasing excellent science, they provide a natural setting for networking and scientific discussion. For the shyer scientists, poster sessions can represent a more structured and less intimidating setting than a larger social event or mixer, while still offering plenty of opportunities to make meaningful professional connections.

ASPET Central

Awards Luncheon

1,023

attendees

44%

were young scientists

24

countries were represented

57

sessions

186

speakers

545

posters

Annual Meeting Perspective

John Oluwafemi Teibo

John Oluwafemi Teibo is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Translational Oncology Laboratory, FMRP–University of São Paulo, Brazil specializing in proteomics, proteogenomics, precision oncology, and cancer pharmacology. He holds a PhD in Biochemistry (Cancer Proteomics) from the University of São Paulo and was also a visiting PhD researcher at the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU), University of Dundee. His current work integrates plasma proteomics and polygenic risk scores to advance precision cancer screening and translational oncology in breast and prostate cancers. His PhD research focuses on uncovering molecular mechanisms underlying therapeutic response and resistance, particularly in Anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy and precision cancer medicine. He is passionate about translational science, biomarker discovery, and improving reproducibility and accessibility in biomedical research. His work bridges basic science and clinical application, with a strong commitment to advancing precision medicine and equitable cancer research globally. In recognition of his research contributions, he received the 1^st Place Best Poster Award (Postdoc Category) in the Division of Cancer Pharmacology at the ASPET 2026 Annual Meeting.

What were your expectations or hopes for the ASPET 2026 Annual Meeting? Were those expectations met?

My main expectations for ASPET 2026 were to gain deeper insights into advances in cancer pharmacology, emerging drug development pipelines, and the evolving landscape of translational therapeutics. I was also looking forward to career development opportunities, networking with researchers across academia and industry, and learning from experts shaping the future of pharmacology.

These expectations were not only met but exceeded. One of the highlights of the meeting was being awarded 1^st Place–Best Poster (Postdoc Category) in the Division of Cancer Pharmacology, for my research on Proteomics and Phosphoproteomic Profiling of Early Signaling Mechanisms in Anti-CD19 CAR-T Cell Therapy, which was both encouraging and validating for my research journey.

Which session or event did you enjoy most?

Several sessions stood out for me. I particularly enjoyed the Cancer Pharmacology sessions because they showcased cutting-edge therapeutic strategies and translational research approaches. The career development sessions were also highly impactful, especially the session on building a “business card that works while you are sleeping” through LinkedIn and professional visibility.

I also enjoyed the Guppy Tank session because of its interactive and innovative nature, as well as the poster sessions, which provided valuable opportunities for scientific discussion, networking, and constructive feedback on research projects.

What do you plan to use from your conference experiences?

I plan to apply the feedback I received during the poster sessions to further strengthen and refine my research. The conference also allowed me to build new professional connections that I hope will lead to future collaborations. Additionally, the career and one-on-one mentoring sessions provided practical strategies for professional growth, scientific communication, and navigating diverse career opportunities in pharmacology and translational research.

What advice would you give someone attending their first meeting at ASPET 2027?

I would encourage first-time attendees to come prepared to engage fully because ASPET is an incredibly welcoming and supportive community. It is a unique environment where early-career researchers can interact directly with leading scientists while also having opportunities to showcase their own work.

I would also advise attendees to take advantage of the career advancement sessions, networking opportunities, and mentoring activities. Whether your interests are in academia, industry, or translational science, ASPET provides an excellent platform for growth, visibility, and inspiration.