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7th Annual Midwest Aging Consortium Research Symposium

We are pleased to welcome you to Chicago, Illinois, for the 7th Annual Midwest Aging Consortium (MAC) Research Symposium. Your participation reflects the shared commitment and growing impact of our community in advancing the field of aging research.

Since its inception, the MAC has served as a collaborative hub, bringing together leading institutions across the Midwest to accelerate progress in the science of aging. This unique consortium leverages the individual strengths of its member institutions—including the Mayo Clinic and the Universities of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas State, Northwestern, North Dakota, Ohio State, Wayne State, Iowa State, Illinois-Chicago, Xavier, and Southern Illinois—to foster a culture of shared innovation and discovery.

Symposium Organizers

This conference is organized by Luisa Morales-Nebreda, MD and G.R. Scott Budinger, MD.

Speakers and Schedule

Information on the 2026 Research Symposium schedule and speakers will be available soon.

Research Symposium Flyer

 

Consortium Dates

The 7th Annual Midwest Aging Consortium will be held on:

April 16 – 17, 2026

Registration

Registration is required as seating is limited. Please email Sean Campbell at seancampbell@northwestern.edu for questions.

Register Here

 Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Rozalyn Anderson, PhD
Vilas Distinguished Professor
Director Wisconsin Nathan Shock Center
Department of Medicine, SMPH
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Carmela Sidrauski, PhD
Distinguished Principal Investigator
Calico Life Sciences LLC

 

Guest Speakers

Jonathan Alder, PhD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Christina Camell, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics
Masonic Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism
University of Minnesota
Tamar Gefen, PhD
Associate Professor
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Director, Laboratory for Translational Neuropsychology
Northwestern University
Nathan K LeBrasseur, PhD
Noaber Foundation Professor of Aging Research
Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering
Director, Robert & Arlene Kogod Center on Aging
Mayo Clinic
Alexander Misharin, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Northwestern University
Mauricio Rojas, MD
Professor
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Vice Chair of Research, Department of Internal Medicine
The Ohio State University

 

 Registration

Register Now Seating is limited, so please secure your spot by registering here. Once your registration is submitted, we will email you detailed instructions on how to complete your payment.

Registration Fees:

  • $200 | Faculty, Staff,  & Industry Representatives

  • $100 | Trainees (Postdoctoral, Medical, & Graduate Students)

 Abstract Submission

The deadline to submit your abstract is March 1, 2026. There is no cost to submit your abstract.  Please click here to submit your abstract: 

7th Annual Midwest Aging Consortium (MAC) Research Symposium Abstract Submission Form

 Accommodations

The Hyatt Centric is connected to the Feinberg School of Medicine campus  and the conference venue via an enclosed, climate controlled sky bridge. There are several hotels that are within walking distance of the conference venue:

AC Hotel by Marriott, 630 North Rush, Chicago, IL 60611

Aloft Chicago Mag Mile, 243 East Ontario, Chicago, IL 60611

Courtyard by Marriott, 165 East Ontario, Chicago, IL 60611

DoubleTree by Hilton*, 300 East Ohio, Chicago, IL 60611

Embassy Suites, 511 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, IL 60611

Embassy Suites, 600 North State Street, IL 60654

Hampton Inn, 160 East Huron, Chicago, IL 60611

Homewood Suites, 152 East Huron, Chicago, IL 60611

Hotel Saint Clair, 162 E Ontario, Chicago, IL 60611

Hyatt Centric Chicago*, 633 North St. Clair, Chicago, IL 60611

Omni Hotel, 676 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

W Chicago, 644 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611

Warwick Allerton, 701 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

* Discounted Rates Available. Must use link above or indicate you are a guest of Northwestern University when making reservation. 

 Public Transportation

During rush hour (7-9 AM and 4-6 PM) or inclement weather: The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) offers train service to/from both O’Hare and Midway airports and can be the most reliable way to reach our campus.


During non-peak travel times: Taxis or ride sharing services are also good options to travel to our campus.

CTA Service

You will need a Ventra Card to use the train and bus in Chicago. You can purchase a card online or at any CTA station. The fare is $5 for the train from O’Hare and $0.25 for the bus transfer (used within 2 hours of original fare).

Route from O'Hare

  1. From O’Hare International Airport Terminals 1, 2, or 3, follow signs that say “CTA Trains” or “Trains to City” which will take you to the O’Hare Blue Line station on the lower level.
  2. Take the Blue Line train to the Clark/Lake station to transfer to the Red Line. From the Red Line station at Lake, take the Red Line train heading north to the Howard station. Get off at the Chicago station (second stop). Go east on Chicago Avenue to Michigan Avenue, then head south to the street of your hotel. (Superior, Huron, or Erie Street, ~0.3 miles)

OR

  1. From O’Hare International Airport Terminals 1, 2, or 3, follow signs that say “CTA Trains” or “Trains to City” which will take you to the O’Hare Blue Line station on the lower level.
  2. Take the Blue Line train and get off at the Chicago station. Take the CTA Bus #66 east to Navy Pier. Get off at the Superior, Huron, or Erie stop, depending on your hotel.

Route from Midway

  1. From Midway International Airport, follow signs that say “CTA Trains” or “Trains to City” which will take you to the Midway Orange Line station located on the east side of the airport.
  2. Take the Orange Line train to the State/Lake station to transfer to the Red Line. From the Red Line station at Lake, take the Red Line train heading north to the Howard station. Get off at the Chicago station (second stop). Go east on Chicago Avenue to Michigan Avenue, then head south to the street of your hotel. (Superior, Huron, or Erie Street, ~0.3 miles)

 Campus Shuttle Bus Service

The Intercampus Shuttle runs between the Chicago and Evanston campus on Monday through Friday.

 Campus Map

Hevolution Logo

We are grateful to The Hevolution Foundation Scientific Conferences Fund for their support of the 7th Annual Midwest Aging Consortium Research Symposium. You may download a copy of the Hevolution Global Health Report here

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