Important Deadlines 

Early Registration Deadline: November 18, 2026 

Scholarship Deadline: September 22, 2026 

Short Talk Abstract Deadline: September 22, 2026 

Poster Abstract Deadline: December 28, 2026  

Meeting Summary 

Title: Neurobiology of Appetite Control 

Date: January 18 - 21, 2027 
Location: Keystone Resort, Keystone, CO, USA  

Scientific Organizers: Michael J. Krashes, Amber L. Alhadeff, Sung-Yon Kim, and Alice E. Adriaenssens 

Keynote Speaker(s): Misha Ahrens, Janelia Research Campus 

Appetite regulation is a fundamental neurobiological process with far-reaching implications for public health, particularly in the context of obesity, eating disorders, and metabolic diseases. Despite rapid advances in neuroscience, metabolism, and therapeutic development, critical gaps remain in our understanding of how complex neuronal circuits integrate internal states and external cues to control feeding behavior. The primary goal of the “Neuronal Control of Appetite” meeting is to catalyze transformative progress in deciphering the neural mechanisms that govern appetite, with a focus on driving innovative research, cross-disciplinary collaboration, translational insight, and industrial innovation. In addition to challenging entrenched models of homeostatic control by highlighting emerging evidence of dynamic, context-dependent neural modulation, the meeting will spotlight the growing role of biotechnology and pharmaceutical initiatives aimed at developing novel diagnostics, therapeutics, and digital tools to combat obesity and metabolic disorders. This meeting is deliberately designed to convene a diverse array of participants, including systems and behavioral neuroscientists, endocrinologists, computational modelers, clinical researchers, biotech innovators, and industry leaders. By bridging traditionally siloed domains — such as neural circuit mapping, metabolic disease modeling, and therapeutic discovery — the meeting will encourage the synthesis of ideas, resources, and techniques across fields. These interactions will foster durable collaborations, seed joint academic–industrial projects, and promote a holistic understanding of appetite regulation that can accelerate the translation of fundamental insights into effective interventions. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the field’s trajectory, novel conceptual frameworks, and actionable strategies for interdisciplinary and cross-sector research to address the global burden of metabolic disease. 

*This meeting will be held jointly with Sensory Systems: Interoception and Exteroception 

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Keystone Symposia offers discounted registration to students in undergraduate, M.S., Ph.D., or M.D. programs, providing access to the latest scientific advances, technologies, and approaches to further research and careers.  

In addition, several financial aid opportunities are also available to support attendance at its scientific meetings: 

• Student and Postdoctoral Scholarships provide up to $1,200 to help defray travel, lodging, registration, and related costs when presenting a poster at an in-person conference. Awards are competitive, based on the abstract’s scientific quality and relevance, and you must apply by the individual scholarship deadline for the desired meeting (abstract + mentor letter required).   

• Early-Career Travel Awards (ECITAs) support early-career investigators with funding to attend meetings; these also require application by the posted deadline for each conference.  

• Global Health Travel Awards (GHTAs) provide financial aid for scientists, clinicians, fellows, and students from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to participate in select Keystone Symposia meetings, especially those focused on global health topics. These awards may cover registration, lodging, airfare, and ground transportation, and applications are submitted through the Financial Aid Portal by the listed meeting deadlines. Learn which meetings have in-person GHTAs available: https://www.keystonesymposia.org/financial-aid/global-health-awards/ghta-listing 

For details on eligibility, deadlines, and how to apply for financial aid, visit: https://www.keystonesymposia.org/financial-aid.