The Jackson Laboratory

23rd Annual Meeting of the Complex Trait Community

Location: The Roux Institute at Northeastern University, Portland, Maine

Reinvigorate the Core. Inspire the Future

The meeting will cover quantitative approaches to genetics, omics and disease models. We will have local invited speakers, short talks drawn from submitted abstracts, a poster session, a career/mentoring session and satellite workshops.

Nov

8 - 12

2026

About

The landscape of complex trait genetics has shifted from QTL mapping to high-dimensional systems genetics, AI-driven discovery, and precision medicine. The 2026 CTC meeting brings together the global community to define what comes next.

Join us for invited talks, abstract-selected presentations, satellite workshops, and dedicated time for collaboration at Northeastern's Roux Institute — purpose-built for discovery on Portland's vibrant waterfront.

Featured Sessions:

  • The AI/ML Revolution in Complex Trait Research
  • Cross-Species Integration: From Model Organisms to Human Health
  • Systems Genetics and Complex Traits in a Dish
  • High-Dimensional Systems Genetics & Multiomics
  • Genome Resources, Pangenomes & T2T Assemblies
  • Behavioral Phenotyping & Computational Analysis

The event schedule is currently being developed. For planning purposes, the conference will being with a Welcome Reception on Sunday, November 8th and will conclude with a group dinner on Thursday, November 12th. Satellite Discussions will be scheduled on Friday, November 13th.

For Early-Career Scientists:

Travel awards are available. Mentorship roundtables with senior faculty and technical workshops to build skills at the frontier of the field. Apply for travel awards during the registration process.

Meeting participants will contribute to a community white paper on the future of complex trait analysis, to be published in Genetics or G3.

Key Dates:

  • Abstract Submission Deadline: August 14, 2026
  • Travel Award Applications: August 14, 2026
  • Early-Bird Registration Deadline: August 14, 2026

Registration

Registration Open

Registration Fees:

  • Early Bird Registration Fee: $150 if registered by August 14, 2026
  • Standard Registration Fee: $250 if registered after August 14, 2026

Credit card payment is required at the time of registration. If you need to pay by check or wire transfer, please contact the event planner for offline registration/payment instructions.

Register Now

Travel Information

Attendees will be responsible for their own travel and lodging arrangements for the duration of this event.

A discounted block of rooms has been secured at the AC Hotel Portland Downtown/Waterfront. The hotel is in walking distance to the conference venue.

Group Rate: $149/night plus any applicable taxes.

Reservation Cutoff - October 8, 2026.

Rate includes:

  • Discounted parting rate of $20 Nightly
  • Group Rate Available 3 Days Pre/Post event, based on availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

Reservation Link will be posted shortly.

For additional options in the Portland area, please visit the Portland, Maine Chamber of Commerce Website.

Event Contact

Erin McDevitt

Camille Liedtka, BA, MS

People

Gary Churchill, Ph.D.Gary Churchill, Ph.D.Professor, Karl Gunnar Johansson Endowed ChairThe Jackson Laboratory
Elissa Chesler, Ph.D.Elissa Chesler, Ph.D.Professor, The Ann Watson Symington Chair in Addiction Research and Senior Director, Integrative Data ScienceThe Jackson Laboratory
Matt Mahoney, Ph.D.Matt Mahoney, Ph.D.Principal Computational Scientist
Leading the search for tomorrow's cures

©2026 The Jackson Laboratory