I am pleased to share details about ASN's programming at the upcoming Virtual Evolution meeting, taking place May 20–22, 2026.
We have two symposia and an IDEA Award Plenary talk:
- Putting Mutations in Context: The Genomic and Environmental Impacts on the Distribution of Fitness Effects of New Mutations (May 22, 9:00-10:30 AM EST) tackles one of the central questions in evolutionary genetics: how do the genomic context and environment shape the fitness consequences of new mutations? Speakers include Deepa Agashe, Charles Fenster, David McCandlish, Matthew Rutter, Siliang Song, and Frank Stearns (organizer). Collectively, their work spans theoretical and empirical approaches to understanding mutation.
- ASN Student Research Award Symposium (May 22, 5:30-7:00 PM EST) is an exciting new addition to our programming. This symposium showcases past ASN Student Research Award winners. Speakers include Takuji Usui, Matthew Kustra, Nitin Ravikanthachari, Julia Harenčár, and Taylor Zallek. This symposium highlights the excellent research that has been supported through this award over the years.
- Tri-Society IDEA Award Talk (May 20, 6:00-7:30 PM EST tentative) will be given by Dr. Maurine Neiman (University of Iowa). Professor Neiman has spent her career expanding access and inclusion in the evolutionary biology community.
In addition, Virtual Evolution will also feature symposia from Society for the Study of Evolution (Hamilton Symposium, Presidential Symposium, and Lifetime Achievement Award winner plenary) and the Society for the Study of Systematic Biology (Ernst Mayr award session). SSE will also have talks from the 2 winners of the Presidents' Award for Best Dissertation Paper published in Evolution or Evolution Letters.
The full program can be seen here: https://www.evolutionmeetings.org/program-overview.html
I hope to see you there!
Becky Fuller
President, American Society of Naturalists