- Location
- Toronto Reference Library
- Series/Type
- DLSPH Partner & Affiliate Event, Faculty/Staff Event, Student Event
- Format
- In-Person
- Dates
- October 16, 2026 from 8:00am to 6:00pm
Links
The Emerging Pathogens & Infectious Diseases Consortium (EPIC) is an institutional strategic initiative within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Each year, the EPIC Symposium convenes knowledge leaders, researchers, public health professionals, trainees and industry partners to exchange ideas, showcase innovative research and advance the conversations shaping the future of infectious disease preparedness and response.
The theme for this year’s symposium is “Outbreak readiness and response beyond borders.”
We have all heard it before: “infectious diseases do not see borders.” While pathogens move freely, the teams and institutions responsible for responding to outbreaks must navigate complex jurisdictional, political and organizational boundaries. Strengthening outbreak readiness requires coordinated leadership across governments, academic institutions, health-care systems, aid organizations, researchers, clinicians and communities.
The 2026 EPIC Symposium will explore how cross-sector and cross-border collaboration can strengthen preparedness and response in an increasingly interconnected world. By bringing together diverse experts and decision-makers, EPIC aims to foster forward-looking dialogue, share leading practices and inspire the partnerships needed to improve global outbreak readiness.
The event features inspiring keynote presentations, spotlight talks from EPIC-supported researchers, trainee flash talks and an expert panel discussion. The symposium highlights innovative research, interdisciplinary collaboration and the perspectives needed to address today’s most pressing global health challenges. Attendees and speakers will have the chance to cross-connect during the networking reception which will round off the day.
Date: October 16, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Toronto Reference Library, Appel Salon, 789 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W 2G8
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Call for trainee presenters!
During the symposium, there will be time for trainees across the University of Toronto and EPIC’s partner hospitals to present their work as flash talks. These rapid-fire presentations ask trainees to present their projects and results in five minutes or less. Trainees from any division or department are invited to present their outbreak-related work. This may include, but is not limited to, outbreak surveillance, detection, modelling, crisis communications and policy making, as well as pathogen evolution, clinical diagnostics, therapeutics and prophylaxis. Abstracts can be submitted until September 15, 2026. There are eight positions available, and selected flash talk presenters will be notified by the first week of October.
To express interest in giving a flash talk, please complete the form linked below.
