The GLA Research Symposium is an annual gathering that brings together leading researchers, clinicians, industry partners, and other experts to share discoveries, spark collaboration, and advance efforts to better prevent, diagnose, and treat Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
Held this year at Tarrytown House Estate in Tarrytown, NY, the 2026 GLA Research Symposium featured presentations from GLA grantees and invited investigators spanning a wide range of scientific and clinical disciplines. Sessions explored topics including Borrelia burgdorferi biology, persistence of symptoms, novel diagnostics, prevention strategies, and clinical studies. Together, these presentations highlighted both the complexity of tick-borne diseases and the significant progress being made across the research landscape.
A hallmark of the symposium was its emphasis on collaboration and problem-solving. Focused panel discussions brought participants together to address critical challenges facing the field, including efforts to develop biorepositories and navigate regulatory pathways for novel diagnostics for Lyme disease. The symposium’s intimate format fostered meaningful dialogue among colleagues from leading institutions including Harvard, Columbia, University of Kentucky, and Johns Hopkins, as well as representatives from government, industry, and clinical practice.
The meeting was further enriched by the participation of GLA’s Scientific Advisory Board, whose expertise helped facilitate thoughtful scientific exchange and constructive feedback. Throughout the two-day event, investigators shared ideas, explored new opportunities for collaboration, and strengthened connections across disciplines.
As the symposium concluded, attendees left with meaningful insights, new and expanded partnerships, and renewed momentum to accelerate research and innovation. By bringing together diverse expertise and a shared commitment to progress, the 2026 GLA Research Symposium showcased the collaborative spirit driving advances in Lyme and tick-borne disease research and helping move the field toward better outcomes for patients.
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