Building Complexity.
Simplifying Discovery.
Minnesota Organoid Symposium 2026
A Premier Minnesota Collaboration
Driving Organoid Innovation
Join researchers from academia, clinical research, and nonprofit organizations at the 4th Annual Minnesota Organoid Symposium to explore advances in biologically relevant organoid models. Scientific sessions will cover immune cell integration, technologies for evaluating organoid complexity, and new approach methodologies. Hosted at R&D Systems headquarters in Minneapolis, the symposium features expert presentations, poster sessions, and networking opportunities with leaders from the field.
Who Should Attend?
Participation is open to individuals affiliated with academic institutions and nonprofit organizations. Individuals registering from a for-profit company are invited to participate through our sponsorship opportunities below.
Why Attend?
Immune Cell Integration Into Organoid Systems
Explore strategies to incorporate immune components into organoid models to better recapitulate human biology and disease.
Speakers:
- Lonnie Shea
- Ankur Singh
- Andrew Khalil
Technologies To Evaluate Organoid Complexity
Discover tools that enable deeper characterization and validation of complex organoid models.
Speakers:
- Alex Shalek
- Beau Webber
- Art Beyder
New Approach Methodologies
Learn about the new NIH-sponsored Standardized Organoid Modeling Center.
Speaker:
- Srivatsan Kidambi
Poster Presentations & Competition
The Minnesota Organoid Symposium welcomes poster submissions from undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research associates, and other early-career scientists. Present your work to academic, clinical, and industry leaders, receive valuable feedback, expand your professional network, and connect with potential collaborators.
Posters will be evaluated by a panel of scientific judges, with the top three posters in each category receiving recognition during the symposium.
Judging Criteria:
- Scientific merit • Innovation & impact • Data quality • Poster design & communication • Scientific discussion
Please note: Eligibility to receive awards is subject to your institution's policies regarding acceptance of prizes or gifts. Participants are responsible for understanding and complying with their institution's guidelines.
Partnerships
Powered by Minnesota’s Leading Institutions
This symposium represents a unique collaboration between:
- University of Minnesota (UMN) – Academic leader in stem cell and organoid research
- Mayo Clinic – Clinical excellence and translational insight
- R&D Systems – Industry innovation enabling reproducible, scalable science
Together, we are advancing a shared vision: accelerating organoid research toward real-world impact.
Agenda at a Glance
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:45 AM - 8:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM | Introduction |
| 8:45 AM - 9:30 AM | Keynote Address: Alex Shalek |
| 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM | Coffee Break |
| 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM | Immune Cell Integration into Organoid Systems |
| 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM | Technologies to Evaluate Organoid Complexity |
| 11:30 AM -12:00 PM | Trainee Lightning Talks |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Augmenting Disease Models in Organoids |
| 2:00 PM -2:30 PM | Coffee Break |
| 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM | New Approach Methodologies |
| 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM | New Approach Methodologies Panel Discussion |
| 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM | Poster Session & Happy Hour |
| 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM | Poster Presentation Awards |
Please complete the form below to register for the Organoid Symposium.
Steering Committee Members
The Minnesota Organoid Symposium is guided by a multidisciplinary steering committee of researchers and leaders from the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, and R&D Systems, working together to advance innovation in organoid and regenerative medicine research.
University of Minnesota:
Brenda Ogle, PhD
Andrew Khalil, PhD
James Dutton, PhD
Timothy O'Brien, PhD
David McKenna, PhD
John Bischof, PhD
Elica Gardner
Mayo Clinic:
Charles Howe, PhD
Brooke Druliner, PhD
Peter Lucas, MD/PhD
Quinn Peterson, PhD
R&D Systems by Bio-Techne:
Brandon Ross
Evey Hegewisch Solloa, PhD
Jessica Wanamaker, MBA
Sponsorship Opportunities
Interested in participating as an industry partner?
Individuals representing for-profit organizations are invited to attend the symposium through a sponsorship package. Please contact Evey Hegewisch at evey.hegewisch@bio-techne.com for sponsorship details.