Weill Cornell Qatar to host European Calcium Society's 18th international meeting in 2026
Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar will host the 18th International Meeting of the European Calcium Society (ECS) in Doha from 1 to 4 February 2026, bringing together leading scientists, clinicians and early‑career researchers to review advances in calcium signalling and its implications for health and disease. According to the announcement, the meeting will take place at the Sheraton Doha Hotel and is being organised by Professor Khaled Machaca of Weill Cornell Medicine.
The biennial ECS international meeting is a multidisciplinary forum that explores calcium’s roles across molecular, cellular and organismal biology. The programme, organisers say, will include scientific sessions, panel discussions and poster presentations designed to showcase novel findings on calcium‑mediated mechanisms and therapeutic potential. The meeting is intended to serve both basic researchers and clinical specialists.
Organisers intend the event to highlight cutting‑edge research into calcium signalling pathways that underpin physiological processes and contribute to disease, with emphasis on translational opportunities. According to the ECS community briefing, the conference aims to accelerate collaboration and the translation of fundamental discoveries into interventions that could benefit patients.
A dedicated junior ECS symposium will precede the main meeting, offering a platform for early‑career investigators to present work, network with established scientists and participate in mentorship activities. The society’s calendar indicates these junior sessions are a recurring feature intended to foster the next generation of calcium researchers.
Hosting the ECS meeting in Doha reflects Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar’s growing role in convening international scientific gatherings in the region. The institution has been described in press releases as the local host and coordinator, responsible for logistical arrangements and shaping the scientific agenda in collaboration with ECS leadership. The announcement framed the event as an opportunity to strengthen regional research capacity and international partnerships.
The meeting also links to a broader ECS programme of workshops and symposia that maintain momentum between the biennial congresses. Recent and planned ECS activities include thematic symposia on topics such as Ca2+ crosstalk with adenine nucleotides and the biology of calcium in ageing, illustrating how the society balances focused workshops with large international meetings.
For associations, confederations and trade bodies in biomedical research and healthcare, the ECS2026 meeting presents opportunities to observe how scientific societies structure member services, professional development and international collaboration. Industry delegates and association leaders may also use the event to identify translational partnerships, education initiatives and standards that could benefit member organisations.
Registration details, abstract deadlines and the final programme will be issued by the organisers and the European Calcium Society in the months ahead; interested parties are advised to follow official ECS communications for updates. According to publicly available society notices, the ECS has already confirmed the meeting dates and the subsequent 19th meeting is planned for September 2027 in Aalborg, Denmark.