73rd Annual Montagna Symposium on the Biology of Skin: Resident Memory T Cells in Health and Disease
Grantee: Professor, Dept of Dermatology, OHSU Alex Ortega Loayza, Oregon Health & Science University, USA
Amount: DKK 278,850
Grant category: Research Networking
Year: 2026
Geography: USA
The 73rd Annual Montagna Symposium, Resident Memory T Cells (TRM) in Health and Disease, will be held October 15-19, 2026, in Oregon’s scenic Columbia River Gorge. TRM are specialized cells that protect against known pathogens, but when inappropriately activated, they can cause diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and rheumatoid arthritis.
The Symposium will share insights into TRM generation, persistence, and contribution to disease; examine how drugs affect TRM; and investigate avenues for leveraging TRM toward cures for chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
This event is designed for senior- and junior-level scientists; clinicians; clinical, translational, and basic science researchers; industry representatives; patient advocates; and trainees. The format includes lectures, discussion, and networking opportunities that foster interaction between new and established scientists and dermatologists. Visit https://montagnasymposium.org/ for the program and registration.
The 2027 Gordon Research Conference on Epithelial Differentiation and Keratinization
Grantee: Associate Professor Ryan Driskell, Washington State University, USA
Amount: DKK 357,053
Grant category: Research Networking
Year: 2026
Geography: USA
The 2027 Gordon Research Conference on Epithelial Differentiation and Keratinization will take place June 6-11, 2027 at the Rey Don Jaime Grand Hotel in Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain, with a trainee-led Gordon Research Seminar on June 5-6. The meeting will bring together international scientists studying how skin forms, maintains its barrier, repairs wounds, and fails in diseases such as inflammatory skin disorders, inherited barrier defects, alopecia, and cancer. The program will combine developmental biology, stem-cell biology, regeneration, human disease, and computational/spatial technologies. LEO Foundation support will help international speakers and young researchers attend, present unpublished work, receive mentoring, and build collaborations that advance skin research.
Skin Immunity and Disease: A Dedicated Research Networking Program at the 18th International Symposium on Dendritic Cells
Grantee: Professor Elina Zuniga, University of California, San Diego, United States
Amount: DKK 277,889
Grant category: Research Networking
Year: 2026
Geography: USA
The 18th International Symposium on Dendritic Cells (DC2026) will take place on October 11-14, 2026, in San Diego, USA. This international meeting brings together scientists and clinicians studying dendritic cells: immune cells that help the body decide when to fight infection or limit unnecessary inflammation. In the skin, dendritic cells play a particularly important role. The skin is the body’s largest immune organ and is constantly exposed to microbes, allergens, and environmental stress. When dendritic cell function is disturbed, it can lead to skin diseases such as psoriasis, dermatitis, infection, and skin cancer. With support from the LEO Foundation, DC2026 will include a dedicated skin-focused program with a plenary session, poster presentations, and networking activities. Funding will also support early-career researchers, helping them share new discoveries and build collaborations that advance skin health. More information: https://www.dc2026sandiego.com/
SID Resident and Post Doc Retreat/Young Investigator Event
Grantee: Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID)
Amount: EUR 25,000
Grant category: Research Networking
Year: 2026
Geography: USA
The Resident and Post Doc Retreat is a conference hosted by the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) each year since 2001. The program format provides a protected space in which residents can interact with senior faculty and established investigators for the purpose of fostering attendees’ interest in academic research careers. The program is a combination of formal lectures and presentations, informal discussions, brainstorming sessions and social activities. The retreat is held at the time of the SID annual meeting, which allows attendees to establish connections with each other, and to other meeting attendees. These social networks foster collegiality, collaborations, and appreciation for the creative, multidisciplinary nature of science and other productive interactions.