SER-SPC President’s Message – April 2026

Greetings,

As we move into April, I want to begin by encouraging you to secure your spot for the 2026 SER Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona (June 23–26, 2026). Registration is now open, with early rates available through May 15, 2026. The Annual Meeting is a cornerstone of our community: offering opportunities to share your work, engage with leading scholars, and build meaningful connections across epidemiology. Your registration includes access to plenary sessions, poster presentations, networking events, continental breakfasts, refreshment breaks, and receptions, with pre-conference workshops available for an additional fee.

As we look ahead to gathering in Phoenix, I also want to take a moment to reflect on the strength of our student, postdoctoral, and early-career epidemiologist community. The Student & Postdoctoral Committee continues to be a space for connection, mentorship, and shared learning — and that community will be on full display at the Annual Meeting. Whether this will be your first SER conference or one of many, your presence, ideas, and engagement are what make this space meaningful and impactful.

This season often brings a unique mix of momentum and pressure — balancing coursework, research, manuscripts, presentations, getting ready for graduation, and planning next career steps. SPC exists to support you through all of it. Whether you’re attending workshops, presenting your work, joining committees, or simply connecting with peers, your participation continues to shape what SPC offers and how it grows.

Looking ahead, I encourage you to join the upcoming SERpresent session, An Introduction to Methodology and Applications for Spatial Epidemiology, taking place on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 12:00–1:00 PM ET. This virtual session will introduce key methodologies and practical applications in spatial epidemiology. As the field continues to expand, developing skills in spatial thinking and analysis is increasingly valuable for population health research, and this session offers an excellent opportunity to engage with this important area of practice.

I also encourage you to participate in the SER Executive Committee Elections, opening April 1, 2026. Voting is an important way to contribute to the leadership and future direction of our field, and your voice plays a critical role in shaping SER’s continued growth.

As always, I encourage you to stay engaged with the many opportunities within SER — from presenting your work to building meaningful connections across the field. Your involvement not only strengthens your own professional journey but also contributes to a more inclusive, supportive, and dynamic epidemiology community.

Thank you for being part of this community and for continuing to support one another.

With optimism and hope,

Anthony J. Nixon, Jr.

SER-SPC President