Host: Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown/Old Market
More details will be available soon.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 IAAAM Student Travel Awards.
Amber Lum - UF Aquatic Resident
Cardiac Examinations of Pacific Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) Under Behavioral Control
Madeline Yde - NC State Vet Student
Pharmacokinetics of Pradofloxacin in Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) After Single Intravenous and Subcutaneous Injections
Emily Pepin - Mystic Aquarium Intern
The Role of Electrolyte Imbalances for Prognosis in Rehabilitating Gray Seals (Halichoerus grypus)
Sebastian Elsenbroek - SA Rotating Vet Intern
Evaluating Patterns and Prevalence of Crossmatch Compatibility in a Population of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Caroline Pessi (*International Winner) - Masters Student University of Sao Paulo
Surveillance of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza on the Antarctic Peninsula During the 2024/2025 Austral Summer
The International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine (IAAAM) is excited to announce that the 56th Annual Conference will be held May 10 - 14, 2026, in Montreal, Canada, at the Delta Montréal Hotel! Hosted by the Montreal Biodome, this hybrid event will include in-person and remote/virtual presentations.
THE CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR THE 2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE IS NOW OPEN! DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSION IS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5th at 11:59 PM (EST)
We will consider abstracts that cover ALL aspects of aquatic animal health and medicine, but we encourage submissions on the following topics
One Health: presentations that focus on the links between aquatic environmental, animal, and human health
Fish, Invertebrate and Amphibian Health and Sustainability, including aquaculture, reproduction, and conservation practices
Imaging: presentations that use imaging for diagnosis, monitoring, therapeutics, and more
Novel Techniques and Innovation: presentations that highlight innovative methodology and treatments in aquatic animal medicine
Conservation Medicine: presentations that highlight veterinary and zoological expertise being leveraged to benefit any wild aquatic animal species and ecosystem
The IAAAM Executive Board will again be granting monetary awards to students planning to deliver ORAL [not poster] presentations at the annual IAAAM conference in May 2026. The awards are intended to defray costs of attending the conference, promote student participation in the professional program and further the commitment of the IAAAM to its students. The conference will extend from May 10-14th. Awards will be granted on a competitive basis. Undergraduate students, Masters and PhD students, veterinary students, veterinary interns/residents/fellows, and postdocs are eligible.
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded 2025 Medway Scholarships.
Title: Population pharmacokinetics of oral maropitant citrate in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
PI: Dr. Barbara Linnehan
Organization: National Marine Mammal Foundation
Title: Comprehensive Study on Blood Characteristics and Health in Wild Caught Mahi-Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus)
PI: Dr. Greg Lewbart
Organization: North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Title: Comparative Health Assessment and Genomics of the Hybrid Galápagos Iguana; An Enigma Cross Between the Marine Iguana and the Yellow Land Iguana
PI: Dr. Greg Lewbart
Organization: North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Tite: Ocular Parameters Related to Drug Delivery in Marine Mammals
PI: Dr. Brian Gilger
Organization: North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Title: Behavioral Effects of Chlordecone Exposure in Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) from Martinique
PI: Dr. Claire Vergneau-Grosset
Organization: Université de Montréal
While we had intended to offer a Fall cycle for Medway Scholarship applications, a higher-than-expected number of high-quality applications were submitted this spring; and, the funds allocated for 2025 awards were expended. For this reason, the IAAAM Board has decided to delay the next Call for Applications until early in the new year. We will be looking to receive and review the next round of applications in February/March of 2026.
We have been encouraged and excited by the interest that has been expressed, and by the breadth of wonderful new ideas!
The 2026 IAAAM Conference will be held in Montreal, Canada from May 10-14th, 2026 hosted by The Montreal Biodome!
Cole Ferreira (DVM student, UF): Evaluation and Treatment of Microfloral Dysbiosis with Gastric Microbiota Transplantations in Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Amber Lum (Resident, University of Florida): Thyroid Hormones in Free-Ranging Florida Manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and Comparison to Individuals Affected by Chronic Malnutrition due to Seagrass Die-Off in the Indian River Lagoon
Aricia Duarte Benvenuto (University of San Paulo)- A Case Report of Rehabilitation of a Neonatal Franciscana Dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) in Uruguay.
James Yan (Resident, Ontario Veterinary College); Echocardiographic Examination in Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) with Decompression Sickness
Cassie Seebart (Intern, The Marine Mammal Center)- Evaluation of Chemical Restraint Protocols for California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) with Acute Domoic Acid Intoxication
Ashley Souza (Resident, NC State)- Transorbital Cerebrospinal Fluid Tap in Green Sea Turtles, Chelonia mydas (Proof of Concept)
The International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine (IAAAM) recognizes a continuing need for the funding of research projects focused on aquatic animal medicine. IAAAM also recognizes the value and importance for students to gain solid scientific research training. To help fill these needs and to further promote involvement of students in aquatic animal medicine, the IAAAM has established the Medway Scholarship Program designed to support research experiences for students interested in pursuing careers in aquatic animal medicine. The program is primarily intended for undergraduate, veterinary, and graduate students without stipends or other sources of funding. The purpose of the scholarship is to partially support the student in research experiences beyond that which they might experience with normal undergraduate classwork or within a graduate/veterinary curriculum.
Join us in celebrating the incredible women on the IAAAM Executive Board! Their unwavering support for science and dedication to advancing women in STEM is truly inspiring.
Let's honor their contributions and the importance of women in science today and every day.
Click the links below to learn more about your board members.
Gabriela Hernandez Mora, DVM, Ph.D., MSc.
IAAAM is extending the call for abstracts for the 2025 Conference by a week, with the new deadline of Friday, December 13, 2024.
