GIA2026
Glycomics Institute of Alberta's Fifth Annual Symposium
Join us for our fifth annual symposium, a celebration of knowledge and innovation in the field of glycoscience! Whether you're an aspiring scientist or a seasoned researcher, this milestone occasion promises an enriching experience. Engage in person or virtually to expand your understanding of the field and establish meaningful connections with esteemed experts.
The event encompasses a hybrid-format scientific symposium, which is tailored for undergraduate level and up.
The symposium also offers an exciting chance to have your research showcased. For more information on how to get involved, see the Poster Presentation and Student Talks section below.
Scientific Symposium
| Date and Time | November 5 & 6 9:00am - 5:00pm MST |
| Venue | UCommons 2-350 Alfred Sorenson Community Hall and/or Virtual |
| Registration Deadline | Friday October 30 |
| Registration Details | SIGN UP HERE |
Poster Presentation and Student Talks
Attention all undergraduates, graduates, and postdocs at the University of Alberta with a glycoprotein or glycolipid in your research! Submit an abstract for an opportunity to showcase your work in a formal setting in the format of either a 20 minute talk (15 minutes of presentation followed by 5 minutes of questions), or a poster!
Keynote Speakers
Landon Edgar
Assistant Professor Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology Department of Immunology Department of Chemistry Temerty Faculty of Medicine Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto
Mia Huang
Professor Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research
Katrine Schjoldager
Associate Professor Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen
Jessica Stark
Assistant Professor of Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering Underwood-Prescott Career Development Professor Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Steve Withers
Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia
Invited Speakers
Anne Halpin
Assistant Professor Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta
Lara Mahal
Professor, Faculty of Science - Chemistryt, University of Alberta
Michael Meanwell
Assistant Professor (Manley and Marian Johnston Professor in Chemistry), Faculty of Science - Chemistry, University of Alberta
Mohammed Osman
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Medicine Department, University of Alberta
Special Public Keynote
Carolyn Bertozzi
Baker Family Director of Sarafan ChEM-H, Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor in the School of Humanities and Sciences and Professor, by courtesy, of Chemical and Systems Biology
Join us at the CCIS 1-430 on Friday, November 6th, 2026
Program
Morning
| 9:00 am – 9:10 am |
Welcoming Message GIA Director Lara Mahal |
| 9:10 am – 10:00 am |
Keynote Speaker 1 Mia Huang Mapping glycan-protein interactions (40 min talk, 10 min questions) |
| 10:00 am – 10:30 am |
Coffee break |
| 10:30 am – 10:50 am |
Trainee talk 1 (15 min talk, 5 min questions) |
| 10:50 am – 11:40 am |
Invited Speaker 1 Mohamed Osman From Bench to the clinic: Insights into the mechanisms regulating polysialic acid in sysemic sclerosis (40 min talk, 10 min questions) |
| 11:40 am – 1:00 pm |
Lunch Not provided |
Afternoon
| 1:00 pm – 1:50 pm |
Keynote Speaker 2 Steve Withers Discovery and Engineering of New Enzymes for Cell Surface Modification by High-throughput Approachess (40 min talk, 10 min questions) |
| 1:50 pm – 2:10 pm |
Trainee talk 2 (15 min talk, 5 min questions) |
| 2:10 pm – 2:40 pm |
Coffee break |
| 2:40 pm – 3:30 pm |
Keynote Speaker 3 Landon Edgar Defining the regulatory roles of sialoglycans in human T-cell immunophysiology (40 min talk, 10 min questions) |
| 3:30 pm – 4:20 pm |
Invited Speaker 2 Anne Halpin TBD (40 min talk, 10 min questions) |
| 4:20 pm – 4:30 pm | |
| 4:30 pm – 4:40 pm |
Day 1 Closing remarks prior to Poster Session GIA Director Lara Mahal |
Poster Sessions
| 4:40 pm – 5:00 pm |
Poster setup and coffee break |
| 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm |
Poster presentations |
Morning
| 9:00 am – 9:10 am |
Introductory Comments GIA Director Lara Mahal |
| 9:10 am – 10:00 am |
Trainee Invited Speaker Jessica Stark Learning from glycobiology to engineer immunity (40 min talk, 10 min questions) |
| 10:00 am – 10:30 am |
Coffee break |
| 10:30 am – 10:50 am |
Trainee talk 3 (15 min talk, 5 min questions) |
| 10:50 am – 11:40 am |
Keynote Speaker 4 Katrine Schjoldager TBD (40 min talk, 10 min questions) |
| 11:40 am – 1:00 pm |
Lunch Not provided |
Afternoon
| 1:00 pm – 1:50 pm |
Invited Speaker 3 Michael Meanwell Rethinking Nucleoside Synthesis (40 min talk, 10 min questions) |
| 1:50 pm – 2:10 pm |
Trainee talk 4 (15 min talk, 5 min questions) |
| 2:10 pm – 2:40 pm |
Coffee break |
| 2:40 pm – 3:30 pm |
Invited Speaker 4 Lara Mahal TBD (40 min talk, 10 min questions) |
| 3:30 pm – 3:45 pm |
Trainee Association Presentation |
| 3:45 pm – 4:00 pm |
Closing remarks and Poster winner announcement GIA Director Lara Mahal |
Evening
| 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm |
Keynote Presentation & Reception Nobel Laureate Carolyn Bertozzi |
Travel Tips
Public Transportation: Utilize Edmonton’s efficient public transportation system, including buses and LRT (Light Rail Transit), to reach the University of Alberta campus. Plan your route in advance and check the schedules to ensure a smooth journey.
Parking: If driving to the campus, consider using the designated visitor parking lots. However, parking spaces can be limited, so arrive early to secure a spot.
Walking and Cycling: The University of Alberta campus is pedestrian-friendly and offers bike lanes for cyclists. Consider walking or cycling if you are located nearby or prefer an eco-friendly commute.
Weather Preparedness: Edmonton experiences varying weather conditions, so be prepared for rain, snow, or sunshine. Bring appropriate clothing and accessories to ensure comfort during your visit.
Campus Map: Familiarize yourself with the campus layout by utilizing the campus map provided. This will help you navigate easily to your destinations.
Code of Conduct
- Respect and Inclusivity: Treat all participants with respect, kindness, and consideration. Embrace diversity and inclusivity, fostering an atmosphere that welcomes and values different perspectives and experiences.
- Harassment-Free Environment: Harassment, including but not limited to offensive comments, derogatory language, unwelcome advances, and intimidating behavior, will not be tolerated at any time during the event. Please be mindful of your words and actions, ensuring they do not make others feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
- No Discrimination: Discrimination of any form, including based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or disability, is strictly prohibited. Everyone has the right to participate and engage without fear of discrimination.
- Professional Conduct: Maintain professional conduct throughout the event. Refrain from disruptive or inappropriate behavior that may interfere with others’ enjoyment of the event.
- Compliance with Rules and Regulations: Adhere to all event rules, regulations, and guidelines, as well as any instructions provided by event staff or organizers.
- Reporting Incidents: If you experience or witness any behavior that violates this Code of Conduct, promptly report it to event staff or organizers. All concerns will be treated with confidentiality and addressed appropriately.
- Consequences of Violations: Violation of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, which may include warnings, expulsion from the event, or banning from future events, depending on the severity and frequency of the violation.
- Professional Collaboration: Engage in discussions, debates, and feedback sessions in a constructive and professional manner. Disagreements are natural, but they should be approached with respect and open-mindedness.
Follow this link for the university’s full list of policies, standards and codes of conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The conference is open to a diverse audience, including undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, professionals, and anyone interested in the field of glycomics.
The conference offers both in-person and virtual attendance options to accommodate participants from various locations.
To register for the conference, follow the link to our registration page. Early registration is recommended to secure your spot.
The deadline for submitting poster titles is mentioned as October 30. Make sure to submit your poster title by this date to participate in the poster program.
A confirmation email will be sent to all participants upon successful submission of their poster title.
Poster specifications are as follows: Maximum width of 3ft and maximum height of 4ft. Ensure your poster adheres to these dimensions for display during the poster presentation session.
Yes, the conference will provide ample networking opportunities, including breaks between sessions and dedicated networking events, both in-person and virtually.
Virtual attendees will receive instructions and access details for the conference platform via email closer to the event date.
Yes, we encourage attendees to join the conversation and share their experiences using our official conference hashtag #GIA2024. Follow our social media channels for updates.
Yes, selected sessions may be recorded and made available to view after the event.
For information about sponsorship opportunities, please use the contact form provided at the bottom of the page.
Code of Conduct
Respect and Inclusivity: Treat all participants with respect, kindness, and consideration. Embrace diversity and inclusivity, fostering an atmosphere that welcomes and values different perspectives and experiences.
Harassment-Free Environment: Harassment, including but not limited to offensive comments, derogatory language, unwelcome advances, and intimidating behavior, will not be tolerated at any time during the event. Please be mindful of your words and actions, ensuring they do not make others feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
No Discrimination: Discrimination of any form, including based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or disability, is strictly prohibited. Everyone has the right to participate and engage without fear of discrimination.
Professional Conduct: Maintain professional conduct throughout the event. Refrain from disruptive or inappropriate behavior that may interfere with others’ enjoyment of the event.
Compliance with Rules and Regulations: Adhere to all event rules, regulations, and guidelines, as well as any instructions provided by event staff or organizers.
Reporting Incidents: If you experience or witness any behavior that violates this Code of Conduct, promptly report it to event staff or organizers. All concerns will be treated with confidentiality and addressed appropriately.
Consequences of Violations: Violation of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, which may include warnings, expulsion from the event, or banning from future events, depending on the severity and frequency of the violation.
Professional Collaboration: Engage in discussions, debates, and feedback sessions in a constructive and professional manner. Disagreements are natural, but they should be approached with respect and open-mindedness.
Follow this link for the university’s full list of policies, standards and codes of conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The conference is open to a diverse audience, including undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, professionals, and anyone interested in the field of glycomics.
The conference offers both in-person and virtual attendance options to accommodate participants from various locations.
To register for the conference, follow the link to our registration page. Early registration is recommended to secure your spot.
The deadline for submitting poster titles is mentioned as October 30. Make sure to submit your poster title by this date to participate in the poster program.
A confirmation email will be sent to all participants upon successful submission of their poster title. Presentation slots will also be provided in the same email, and poster numbers will be provided in a follow-up email.
Poster specifications are as follows: Maximum width of 3ft and maximum height of 4ft. Ensure your poster adheres to these dimensions for display during the poster presentation session.
Yes, the conference will provide ample networking opportunities, including breaks between sessions and dedicated networking events, both in-person and virtually.
Virtual attendees will receive instructions and access details for the conference platform via email closer to the event date.
Yes, we encourage attendees to join the conversation and share their experiences using our official conference hashtag #GIA2023. Follow our social media channels for updates.
Yes, selected sessions may be recorded and made available to view after the event.
For information about sponsorship opportunities, please use the contact form provided at the bottom of the page.
Yes, all conference attendees will receive a certificate of participation that can be included in their professional development records.