MIDWEST
POP
GEN

Dates
August 21–22, 2026
Location
University of Chicago · KCBD 1103
Abstract Submission
Now Closed
About

A MEETING FOR THE MIDWEST POPGEN COMMUNITY

Midwest Population Genetics is an annual, trainee-oriented workshop uniting researchers working across population genetics, evolutionary genomics, and statistical methods. The 2026 edition will be hosted by the Department of Ecology & Evolution and the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Chicago.

The meeting is free to attend and features contributed talks, a poster session, and plenty of time to hang out and talk science. Students and postdocs are especially encouraged to present — with awards for best student and postdoc talk and poster.

Serving the Midwest popgen community since 2014.

University of Chicago Campus Promontory Point, Chicago Lakefront
Scientific Program

SCHEDULE

Download the full schedule with speaker details →

Friday, August 21

12:00–12:30 pm
Registration & Poster Setup
12:30–12:45 pm
Opening Remarks & Welcome
12:45–2:15 pm
Session 1: Genomics of Adaptation
2:15–2:45 pm
Faculty Spotlight: Rachel Moran
2:45–4:15 pm
Poster Session · Last names A–L (coffee & snacks)
4:15–5:15 pm
Session 2: Human Genetics & Complex Traits
5:15–6:00 pm
Travel to Promontory Point
6:00 pm
Friday Social & BBQ — Lakeside dinner at Promontory Point in Hyde Park

Saturday, August 22

8:30–9:00 am
Breakfast & Poster Setup
9:00–10:00 am
Keynote Address: Angela Hancock (Purdue)
10:00–10:20 am
Coffee Break
10:20–11:50 am
Session 3: Theory & Inference
11:50 am–12:20 pm
Faculty Spotlight: Arslan Zaidi (Minnesota)
12:20–1:20 pm
Lunch
1:20–2:50 pm
Poster Session · Last names M–Z (coffee & snacks)
2:50–4:35 pm
Session 4: Evolutionary Genomics of Non-Model Systems
4:35–4:50 pm
Judge Deliberation
4:50–5:00 pm
Awards & Closing
Logistics

GETTING HERE & GETTING SETTLED

The meeting will be held in KCBD 1103 on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park, on Chicago's South Side.

Venue
Knapp Center for Biomedical Discovery (KCBD), Room 1103 · University of Chicago · 900 E 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Food
Coffee will be available during breaks throughout the meeting.
Friday: Dinner provided at the BBQ social from 5 pm onward at Promontory Point.
Saturday: Breakfast served 8:30–9:00 am; lunch provided 12:20–1:20 pm; coffee and snacks during poster sessions. Dinner on your own.
By train
The Metra Electric Line is a convenient option from downtown Chicago — arrive at 55th–56th–57th St (~25 min from Millennium Station).
From O'Hare
CTA Blue Line to Jackson, then transfer south via bus/metra to Hyde Park (~1.5-2 hr). Rideshare ~40 min.
From Midway
CTA Orange Line to Roosevelt → bus or rideshare to Hyde Park (~35 min).
Parking
Campus parking is available but not free of charge. See the UChicago parking page for locations and current rates.
Lodging
Chicago has a wide range of accommodation options. A few convenient choices in Hyde Park include the Quad Club, The Study, The Sophy, and Hyatt Place Chicago-South/University Medical Center. You can also browse options on Booking.com, Hotels.com, or Airbnb. Questions? Just email us.
Organizers

LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Reach out with any questions.

Julia Kreiner
Assistant Professor · Ecology & Evolution
kreiner@uchicago.edu
Jeremy Berg
Assistant Professor · Human Genetics
jjberg@uchicago.edu