Events

BSP annual meetings

The key events in the annual BSP calendar include the annual residential meetings in spring and autumn which are focused upon general and specialist aspects of parasitology.

The video on the right gives a flavour of our events, which are attended by a wide range of academics, researchers and students.

12/05/2024

BSP trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis seminar, September 1-4, 2025 (followed by a mini-symposium celebrating prof. Alan Fairlamb's achievements, September 4-5, 2025). České Budějovice, Czechia

We are delighted to invite you to the upcoming BSP Trypanosomiasis and Leishmaniasis Seminar, taking place in České Budějovice from September 1st to 4th, 2025. This focused meeting presents an excellent opportunity to share your latest research, reconnect with colleagues, forge new collaborations, and engage in lively scientific discussions in a collegial atmosphere.We are thrilled to announce that four outstanding early-career researchers have confirmed their participation and will share their exciting research:
  • Dr. Catarina Gadelha (University of Nottingham, UK)
  • Dr. Richard Wheeler (University of Edinburgh, UK)
  • Dr. Eva Kowalinski (EMBL, Grenoble, France)
  • Dr. Tom Beneke (Wurzburg University, Germany)
The plenary lecture will be delivered by an esteemed expert – prof. Michael Grigg, Molecular Parasitology Section, NIAID, Bethesda, USATo foster informal interactions and maximize the potential for in-depth discussions, the seminar will be held at the Clarion Hotel, the most suitable venue in České Budějovice. Conveniently located just a 10-minute walk from the historic city center, the hotel provides an elegant conference setting with comfortable accommodations.In order to keep registration fees affordable for students, we have arranged accommodation in university dormitories, located approximately 1.5 km from the conference venue. We hope students will enjoy the pleasant morning walk and take the opportunity to explore what Budejovice has to offer in the evenings.

As part of the official program, all registered participants are warmly invited to an afternoon excursion to Český Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its historical charm and unique atmosphere. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the town at their own pace — whether strolling through its medieval streets, visiting cultural landmarks, or simply taking in the picturesque surroundings. The visit will conclude with a dinner and cultural evening at Zámecká Jízdárna (the Castle Riding Hall), scenic location within the grounds of Český Krumlov Castle. The registration fee includes:
  • Access to all scientific sessions
  • Coffee breaks and lunches
  • Welcome reception
  • A tour and a conference dinner in Český Krumlov.
We are especially pleased to follow the main BSP seminar with a one-day mini-symposium from September 4th to September 5th, dedicated to honouring the career and work of Professor Alan Fairlamb. Professor Fairlamb will reflect on his distinguished career, and many of his former colleagues and collaborators (to be announced soon!) will join us to celebrate his legacy through scientific presentations and personal reflections. 

  Key Dates

  • Registration opens: April 14, 2025
  • Registration closes: July 15, 2025
  • Abstract submission deadline: July 15, 2025

 We look forward to welcoming you to České Budějovice for an exciting and inspiring meeting.

 Stay tuned for updates, registration details, and speaker announcements.

 Warm regards,

 Alena Zíková, Zdeněk Paris, Julius Lukeš

 The local Organizing Committee

Other events

Other organisations run events that you might find interesting: here are some up and coming online events from across the world for those with an interest in parasitology.
03/27/2025

Entomology Summer Course, July 7-11, 2025. Toulouse, France

The Parasitology and Entomology team of the National Veterinary School of Toulouse, France, organises an entomology course to be held from the 7th to the 11th of July 2025. The course will highlight topics such as arthropod-borne diseases, resistance in arthropod populations, control tools, principles of laboratory rearings, and morphological identification of arthropods of medical and veterinary importance.

The course will encompass several arthropod groups, namely sand flies, mosquitoes, Culicoides spp., Tabanidae, Muscidae, Simulidae, fleas, bedbugs and ticks. Lectures will generally take place in the morning, while the afternoon will be dedicated to laboratory and field work.

02/20/2025

36th annual Molecular Parasitology Meeting (MPM), September 14-18, 2025, Woods Hole, USA

MPM brings scientists from across the world together each year to share, learn, and create new friendships and collaborations. Last year, over 50 countries were represented. The meeting will include scientific talks, poster sessions, and social and networking events. Presentations at MPM feature research about a wide range of parasites. The majority of research focuses on understanding molecular mechanisms of parasite biology and control and spans a wide range of topics and approaches, including biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, host-parasite interactions, vector-parasite interactions, population biology, ‘omics analyses, and development of drugs, vaccines, and other new tools.

 

The 2025 meeting will again be in a hybrid format, with attendees joining from the Marine Biological Lab in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA as well as online. ·                As in previous years, we plan to offer several travel awards for students and postdocs from Low and Middle Income countries who would like to attend the meeting in person. Instructions on how to apply for financial assistance are available at the MPM XXXVI website. MPM LMIC Awards will cover full registration and accommodation (room and board) at the meeting. Depending on the availability of additional funds, we may also be able to provide limited support to cover the cost of air travel to the meeting.  ·                Travel award applications are due March 3 (firm deadline).·                Registration for the meeting will open later in the spring. Virtual registration fee waivers will be available for all residents of low- and middle-income countries.For questions, please visit the meeting website or email mpmmeeting@gmail.com.

 

We look forward to seeing you at MPM XXXVI in September!

 

Richard, Marc-Jan, Photini, Deepali, and Omar
09/30/2024

5th International Congress of Parasites of Wildlife, September 14-18, 2025. Skukuza, Kruger National Park, South Africa

12/12/2024

14th European Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health (ECTMIH-2025), September 29 - October 2, 2025. Hamburg, Germany

We are thrilled to announce that next year the 14th European Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health (ECTMIH-2025) will be held from September 29 to October 2, 2025, in Hamburg, Germany.

 We are bringing together experts, researchers, and stakeholders in Global Health under the theme, “Better Health for All in a Changing World.” Hosted by Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM), the German Society for Tropical Medicine, Travel Medicine and Global Health (DTG) and Federation of European Societies for Tropical Medicine and International Health (FESTMIH) ECTMIH-2025 will offer a great platform for sharing the latest findings, policy discussions, and technical developments across relevant disciplines.
05/21/2025

Keystone Symposia. Predicting and Responding to Emerging Viral Infections, October 13-16, 2025. Geneva, Switzerland

Specifically, the program will cover zoonosis, both in terms of One Health perspectives as well as virus-host interactions, including mechanisms of immune evasion, pathogenesis and targeted countermeasures. In addition, we will cover cutting-edge surveillance methodologies, predictive modelling approaches, and pandemic preparedness strategies, with an emphasis on how knowledge sharing and collaboration can improve these approaches.  The meeting will integrate virology, immunology, epidemiology and public health perspectives to overcome critical barriers and generate multidisciplinary solutions to address viral threats.

This meeting will provide unique networking opportunities for researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals from diverse arenas to connect and collaborate, in order to strengthen global efforts in prevention, detection, and response to emerging viruses. Attendees will gain new perspective and insights ranging from molecular pathogenesis to global strategies, to derive a holistic understanding of the field and drive much needed integrative solution. As a result of this meeting, the world will be better equipped to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging and re-emerging viral diseases, ultimately protecting global health from future  epidemic and pandemic threats.

03/31/2025

200 Years Theodor Bilharz - Schistosomiasis Research in Germany and Beyond, October 8-10, 2025. Tübingen, Germany

200 Years Theodor Bilharz - Schistosomiasis Research in Germany and Beyond

 
11/30/2024

Keystone Symposium: Predicting and Responding to Emerging Viral Infections, October 13-16, 2025. Geneva, Switzerland

Emerging and re-emerging viruses remain a persistent threat, causing widespread illness and death, from localized outbreaks to global pandemics. Our struggles with recent pandemics and outbreaks of viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, avian influenza, MERS, Ebola, Marburg, and more recently mpox, highlight critical gaps in our understanding and emphasize the urgent need to rethink our preparedness strategies for future viral threats. This meeting aims to address gaps in knowledge regarding emerging and re-emerging viral diseases and advance our collective response to them. Specifically, there will be two sessions on zoonoses: one focused on One Health, and the second on understanding the mechanisms of virus-host interactions, including viral host immune evasion, disease mechanisms and potential countermeasures. Additionally, discussions will cover gaps in knowledge related to the pathogenesis of zoonotic influenza, filoviruses, mpox, Nipah, and arboviruses, as well as the development of effective vaccines and therapeutics against these viruses. The meeting will also explore gaps in our understanding of surveillance methodologies, predictive modelling approaches, and pandemic preparedness strategies. The goals of this conference are: 1. Address critical gaps in understanding virus-host interactions to inform the development of effective countermeasures against emerging and re-emerging viral diseases. 2. Advance knowledge of the pathogenesis of zoonotic viruses and accelerate progress in vaccine development for these diseases. 3. Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing to enhance surveillance methodologies, predictive modelling approaches, and pandemic preparedness strategies. 4. Identify and prioritize important research questions and critical barriers in the field of virology, immunology, epidemiology, and public health. 5. Provide networking opportunities for researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals to strengthen global efforts in preventing, detecting, and responding to viral threats. The anticipated outcomes of this meeting include the generation of new scientific knowledge regarding virus-host interactions, pathogenesis of zoonotic diseases, and innovative approaches to vaccines and therapeutics. Attendees will gain insights into cutting-edge methods and technical capabilities for surveillance, predictive modelling, and pandemic preparedness. Collaboration among experts from diverse disciplines will foster the exchange of ideas and facilitate the development of multidisciplinary solutions to address viral threats. Additionally, attendees will benefit from training and educational opportunities, enhancing their skills and expertise in the field. As a result of this meeting, the field of virology, immunology, epidemiology, and public health will be better equipped to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging and re-emerging viral diseases, ultimately leading to improved global health outcomes.

Important Deadlines

Early Registration Deadline: August 14, 2025

Scholarship Deadline: June 17, 2025

Short Talk Abstract Deadline: June 17, 2025

Poster Abstract Deadline: September 18, 2025

05/21/2025

XL Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society of Protozoology, November 10 - 12, 2025. Caxambu, Brazil

+ LI Annual Meeting on Basic Research in Chagas' Disease

05/21/2025

Keystone Symposia. Fungal Pathogens: Emerging Threats and Future Challenges, January 12 - 15, 2026. Breckenridge, USA

However, many recent scientific advances are revealing fungal virulence factors and immune susceptibilities that provide insight into how to combat these troublesome pathogens.   A recent explosion in the discovery and characterization of novel monogenic inborn errors of immunity that predispose patients to fungal disease have enhanced our understanding of how the immune system normally recognizes and eliminates these pathogens.  Along with the development of clinically relevant animal models of disease, both mucocutaneous and/or invasive tissues-specific forms, these advances have collectively pointed to cell type-, tissue-, and fungus-specific recognition, effector pathways, and adaptive immune responses. The improved molecular understanding of fungal virulence traits and immune protective mechanisms will guide the development of targeted treatment strategies against fungal pathogens.

This meeting will unite scientists studying fungal virulence and fungal immunology across numerous organisms to integrate emerging research on the cellular and molecular determinants of fungal pathogenesis and mammalian antifungal immunity. This cross-disciplinary approach will provide the foundation for precision risk stratification, as well as prophylactic, therapeutic and vaccination strategies to combat life-threatening fungal infections in vulnerable patient populations.

Important Deadlines

Early Registration Deadline: November 13, 2025

Scholarship Deadline: September 16, 2025

Short Talk Abstract Deadline: September 16, 2025

Poster Abstract Deadline: December 22, 2025