Math-BIO 2026

Since 2017, we’ve held the annual International Cassiopea Workshop to promote the integration of multidisciplinary researchers to share ideas, network, and collaborate to tackle complex biological questions across broad topics. While promoting the use of the upside-down jellyfish as a research model, these meeting brought together researcher that study topics from developmental biology to fluid dynamics. However, the community remains predominantly composed of traditional biologists. We feel that a Cassiopea research community with diverse research backgrounds is important to push innovation and solve the toughest questions in biology.

To bridge the gap, we are excited to launch the Math-Bio Cassiopea Workshop. This meeting is designed for researchers using mathematics and modeling to explore biological systems. Our goal is to provide an entry point into the Cassiopea community and encourage participation in our now biannual International Cassiopea Workshop. While space is limited this year, we invite anyone working in, or interested to work in, the intersections of mathematics and biology to join us!

Details

Location: Key Largo Marine Research Laboratory, Key Largo, FL USA

Dates: June 26 to 28, 2026

Format:

The three day meeting will take place from Friday to Sunday. The schedule will be divided into two blocks. Presentations will take place in the morning. Afternoons will be dedicated to activities. Attendees will have the option of participating in group activities (snorkeling, dividing, etc.) or utilizing the time for data collection.

Presentations are required for students and post-docs. PIs and industry professionals are highly encouraged to give a talk as well. Presentations are 15 minutes with 5 minutes for questions. More information for talk submission will be sent out at a later date.

Currently, this workshop will be in-person only. If you are interested in a virtual option, please let us know by emailing cassiopeaworkshop@gmail.com.

Location:

The Key Largo Marine Research Laboratory will be open for visitors after the 2025 workshop, from June 9th to 13th. We will provide more information in the next few weeks, but if you are interested, please let us know by contacting the organizers.

Traveling to KLMRL:

Key Largo is accessible by air through Miami International Airport (MIA) and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Every year, we encourage participants to coordinate rides to KLMRL but we will also have vehicles at the airport on Thursday June 25. Rides will be coordinated on the Cassiopea Workshop Slack. Other options include the Keys Shuttle service and Ride Share (Lyft, Uber).

Shuttle Service:

Keys Shuttle

Costs and Logistics:

Attendance at this year’s workshop will be capped to 25 attendees. As with Cassiopea community workshop, we encourage earlier career researchers to attend. Given the attendance cap, we are striving to keep cost at a minimum. Therefore, registration is free for students (high school, undergraduate, graduate) and post-docs.

Registration is FREE for students and post-docs.

PI Registration fee:$75

Please see the Registration Page for deadlines.

Full refunds (minus processing fee) for registration fees will be provided up to June 10th. Partial refunds can be provided after this date. Please contact us at cassiopeaworkshop@gmail.com regarding partial refunds.

Lodging: Limited lodging is available for students and post-docs from Thursday 6/27 to Monday 6/29. Lodging will be assigned by need or a first-come, first-served basis.

AirBnbs and Hotels are available nearby.

Hotels:

Key West Inn
Courtyard by Marriott Key Largo
Bayside Inn Key Largo

Meals: Breakfast and lunch will be provided. While participants are responsible for dinner on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. In the past, participants have grilled or gone to nearby restaurants as a a group. For Saturday evening, dinner will be provided.

Activities

One major goal of the International Cassiopea Workshop is to organize tutorials given by experts in the field to provide training and knowledge to participants, especially early career researchers. As previous workshops have been held at sites where jellyfish can be readily found, this has allowed us to organize time for participants to run experiments and collect samples. Due to limitation of time, we are unable to provide organize tutorials and assist researchers in collecting data. However, to enhance participant experience and allow researchers to make observations are collect simple preliminary data, we will be leading trips during the afternoons. We want to offer opportunities to create new ideas, catalyze conversations, and encourage new projects. Therefore, each afternoon will be dedicated to activities for researchers to participate in. We also encourage researchers to come with ideas for data or sample collection. Please email us if you would like to discuss availability of equipment or space to conduct your work.

We will also be organizing activities on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons.

Friday/Saturday: Nearshore snorkeling – Guided snorkeling from the beach to observe the flora and fauna (including Cassiopea!) at the Key Largo Marine Research Laboratory. Some snorkels and mask are available, but we encourage participants to bring their own gear. Onsite outdoor showers and restrooms are also available.

Saturday: SCUBA tour – We will be booking a SCUBA tour through Quiescence Diving Services. You must be dive certified and have gone on a dive in the last two years to participate. Gear rentals are available through the Quiescence.

Cost

$110 per person (includes tanks and tip for boat captain)

Additional pricing: Wetsuit ($7), BCD ($11), Regulator ($12), Dive computer ($10), Full gear rental ($40)

Sunday: Cruisin’ Tiki Fun Cruise – Join us on a leisurely cruise of the bay. The tiki boats will take us to some quite coves where participants can explore a mangrove island or simply float on the water and relax.

Cost

$35 per person

Travel Award

Thanks to generous funding from the Moore Foundation, we will have fellowships available to students and post-docs to offset participation costs. The fellowship will provide housing, travel funds, or both, depending on the needs of the applicant. The amount awarded will be determined based on need, as well as when the application was received. You can apply for the Travel Award during the registration process.

Travel Awards are available to students (graduate, undergraduate, high school) and post-docs.

The deadline for applications is June 1. Application decisions will be made by June 3. The application will be reviewed by workshop organizers and board members of CASSI Inc.

If the applicant’s attendance is contingent on receiving funding, and the timeline between application review and the workshop will cause difficulties for booking travel, please contact us at cassiopeaworkshop@gmail.com.