CFANS Research Symposium

CFANS Research Symposium
Thursday, March 19, 2026, 1–4:30 p.m.

St. Paul Student Center
North Star Ballroom and Cherrywood Room

We're excited to invite you to the CFANS Research Symposium, a showcase of the excellent research conducted by our undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and researchers. This event brings together the broader community for an afternoon of discovery and networking. The symposium will include both poster and oral presentations. All accepted abstracts will be published in citable proceedings accessible through the University Digital Conservancy. 

Register to attend

Register today to ensure you continue receiving event updates, reminders, and program announcements as the symposium approaches. 

Schedule

  • 1–1:15 p.m. Opening Remarks | Cherrywood Room, Floor 2
  • 1:15–3:15 p.m. Oral Presentations (View oral presentation schedule) | Cherrywood Room, Floor 2 
  • 2–4:30 p.m. Poster Session & CFANS Research Centers & Outreach Partner Displays | North Star Ballroom 

View printable participant listView 2026 Book of Abstracts (PDF)

CFANS Research Centers & Outreach Partner Displays

We’re thrilled to introduce demo tables at this year’s Research Symposium! Each group brings a unique connection to CFANS—whether as a Research and Outreach Center, a CFANS Academic Research Center, or one of our valued Outreach Partners. These participants are joining us to showcase their work, spark conversation, and give you a closer look at the innovative projects happening across the CFANS community.

CFANS Research and Outreach Centers

The ten CFANS Research and Outreach Centers (ROCs) support research that enhances the quality of agricultural production, human health, renewable energy, and the environment.  Across the ROC network, scientists are studying water quality, forest conservation, sustainable cropping systems and livestock production, renewable energy, and how Minnesota’s changing climate affects its economy and quality of life.  The benefits of this work is disseminated to over 30,000 visitors annually while highlighting how the ROCs have the staff and facilities to transform ideas into practice.

What to Expect at the Symposium

Meet ROC experts, explore interactive displays, and see research products firsthand—all highlighting the powerful impact of the CFANS Research and Outreach Center System.

Plant Protein Innovation Center (PPIC)

The Plant Protein Innovation Center is a collaborative consortium dedicated to cutting-edge plant/alternative protein research across the value chain. It is the first and only of its kind in the nation, with the mission to unite interdisciplinary researchers and industry leaders to deliver innovative, nutritious, and functional plant and alternative protein ingredients and products.

What to Expect at the Symposium

Get a firsthand look at some of the innovative plant protein research happening at the Center.

Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC)

Anecdotal reports of swimmer’s itch in Minnesota have been increasing over the past few years, and we think aquatic invasive species, such as zebra mussels and mystery snails, may be part of the reason.

What to Expect at the Symposium

Join MAISRC in exploring the complex lifecycle of the parasite responsible for swimmer’s itch, and see where aquatic invasives such as zebra mussels and mystery snails may fit in.

University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum - Plant Conservation Program

The Plant Conservation Program is an applied research program, working with partners all around the state to advance ex situ conservation of rare native plant species in a wide variety of landscapes. From seed banking to imperiled population rescues and transplants, this program does a little bit of everything, including working with some of the most difficult species to propagate - native orchids and goblin/grape ferns.

What to Expect at the Symposium

Visit the Plant Conservation Program’s table to see how they are combining horticultural research with ecological research through a small selection of the high-impact projects that UMLA is undertaking with rare species.

Bell Museum

Founded in 1872, the Bell Museum serves as the state's official natural history museum. With a robust collection that recently expanded to entomology and includes over 5 million specimens, the Bell works to ignite and sustain curiosity for nature and the universe.

What to Expect at the Symposium

Attendees will be able to interact with a variety of hands‑on specimens and can learn more about the programs and opportunities they offer, such as free admission for students.

Accessibility

The CFANS Research Symposium planning committee is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all attendees. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate and enjoy our event to the fullest.

To ensure accessibility, we offer accessible & gender-neutral restrooms, ADA parking, elevators, a PDF of all abstracts available before the event, and reserved front-row accessible seating.

We are committed to continuously improving the accessibility of our events. If you have any suggestions or feedback, please do not hesitate to let us know.

Proceedings

View proceedings from past CFANS Research Symposia.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact the co-chairs: