NAT-Net Vanguard Symposium: Leading the Future of Health Research

Leading the Future of Health Research

Event Overview

The Non-Animal Technologies Network (NAT-Net) Research Pillar invites you to NAT-Net Vanguard Symposium 2026: Leading the Future of Health Research - a one-day, hybrid symposium showcasing research that advances innovative non‑animal technologies (NATs) and new approach methodologies (NAMs) in medicine and health.

Vanguard stands for Vision-led Advancement of Non-animal Guided Understanding for Advanced Research & Discovery.

This inaugural symposium will bring together researchers to share emerging evidence, explore methodological advances, and collectively accelerate the replacement, reduction, and refinement (3Rs) of animal use in research.

The program will feature scientific showcases, and rapid‑fire presentations to spark dialogue, foster new collaborations, and highlight research with real‑world translational potential.

Why Attend

• Discover new methods, tools, and data driving change in biomedical research.

• Engage with a cross-sector network of researchers, industry partners, and regulators shaping the future of human-relevant research.

• Contribute to a growing national conversation on ethical and innovative research practices.

Event Details

🗓️ Monday 29 June 2026

⌚ 9:00 – 5:00PM AEST

📍 Hybrid event (NSW Health, St Leonards, NSW & online)

🎟️ Registration is free

Please note: Attendance registration is for the virtual symposium only. Due to limited venue capacity, in‑person participation is by invitation only and will be extended exclusively to presenters of accepted abstracts (poster or rapid‑fire presentations). All other registered participants will join the event online to ensure broad and inclusive engagement.

Please note: travel and accommodation support is not provided. Out‑of‑state presenters are welcome to participate and will be asked to present live via Microsoft Teams during the symposium.

Program Overview

The symposium program will feature:

• Keynote presentations from thought leaders in non‑animal technologies.

• Panel session on Complex in Vitro Models (CiVM).

• Rapid‑fire scientific presentations.

• Poster presentations highlighting current research and innovations.

Questions About Event

For event queries, please email the NAT-Net Coordinator: Esther.Pronker@health.nsw.gov.au

Acknowledgment

The NAT‑Net Vanguard Symposium 2026 is organised by the NAT-Net Research Pillar with support from NSW Health via the Office for Health and Medical Research.

Image description: Human intestinal organoids grown from adult stem cells, self-organising into the crypt-villus architecture.

Source: A/Prof Shafagh Waters, Regeneration and Stem cell Translational Research Group, UNSW.

Update: 30 March 2026

Abstract submissions are now closed. Thank you for your submissions.

NAT-Net Research Pillar Program Committee invites abstract submissions from academia, industry, and related sectors for 5-minute rapid-fire or poster presentations.

We welcome submissions highlighting:

• Novel or emerging NATs and NAMs.

• Evidence‑based or translational research with relevance to human health.

• In vitro, in silico, or in chemico approaches.

A select number of abstracts will be selected. Accepted authors will be invited to present in person at the Sydney venue or live via Teams.

Presenting authors based outside NSW are encouraged to participate online. Authors not selected for a rapid-fire oral presentation may be offered a poster presentation.

Please note: travel and accommodation support is not provided.

Abstract Submission Guidelines

Please email the details below to the NAT-Net Coordinator: Esther.Pronker@health.nsw.gov.au before Monday 30 March, 12PM AEDT.

Each submission must include:

• Full name, email address, and institution or organisation

• Title (max 20 words) and abstract (max 300 words)

• Preferred presentation type: Rapid‑fire (5 min), Poster, Open to any format)

• Declaration of Conflict of interest: yes/no (if yes, specify briefly)

• Confirmation that the presenting author will attend in person/ live via Teams if selected.

All abstracts will undergo peer review by members of the NAT-Net Research Pillar Committee. Selection will consider scientific merit, relevance to symposium themes, and balanced representation across disciplines, states, and career stages.

Key Dates

Questions about Abstract Submission

For event queries, please email the NAT-Net Coordinator: Esther.Pronker@health.nsw.gov.au

The Non-Animal Technologies Network (NAT-Net) is a collaborative research community established by the NSW Government in 2024 to accelerate the development, validation, and adoption of innovative non-animal technologies (NATs) and new approach methodologies (NAMs) in health and medical research.

Backed by a $4.5 million investment, NAT-Net brings together eight leading research institutions across NSW, including University of New South Wales, University of Sydney, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute and University of Technology Sydney.

Visit our website to learn more or get involved: https://medicalresearch.nsw.gov.au/research/networks/non-animal-technologies

Stay connected: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nat-net/