The 2026 State of the Science Summit, entitled Brain-Heart Health Across the Lifespan, focused on a better understanding of the complex connections between the brain and heart for the benefit of all Canadians and individuals worldwide. Each day was structured around a different theme, progressively broadening in scope to showcase brain-heart research from bench to bedside and beyond. The daily themes explored pre-clinical research and therapeutics; diagnostics, clinical research, and precision medicine; and finally, population health, equity, and models of care. BHI welcomed numerous national and international experts in brain-heart research, including speakers from across Canada as well as invited experts from the USA, France, and Australia, with more than 50 speakers, panellists, and moderators participating.
Beyond the invited keynote speakers and panellists, BHI welcomed more than 250 unique attendees over the three-day event. Many were trainees—the next generation of brain-heart researchers and leaders. The Summit featured several opportunities to showcase trainee excellence, including a Rapid Fire presentation competition on Day 1 and two poster presentation sessions over the course of the event. We are proud to recognize our trainee Rapid Fire and poster presentation winners.
State of the Science Summit Trainee Awardees
Undergrad/Masters Poster Award
Sierra Hedges, University of Ottawa
PhD Poster Award
Aimee Dawe, University of Guelph
Postdoctoral Fellow Poster Award
Victoria Lorant, University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Trainee Rapid Fire Award
Megan Mio, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
This year’s State of the Science Summit featured a series of unique workshops designed to strengthen transdisciplinary collaboration, training, and implementation. These included a mentor–mentee networking mixer on Day 1, a workshop on implementing the seven BHI cross-cutting enablers and co-producing science on Day 2, and a post-Summit workshop on June 11 focused on open science. Day 3 also featured a partner panel discussion highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration in the brain-heart space. Together, these sessions provided valuable opportunities for learning and engagement, aimed at strengthening the quality and impact of brain-health science.
The Summit concluded on Wednesday, June 10 with the public lecture, The Brain-Heart Connection: From Research to Reality, which extended these conversations beyond the scientific community. The evening began with a welcome reception, allowing community members to engage with the BHI scientific network, accompanied by the sounds of a string quartet. The public lecture panel brought together clinicians, researchers, patient partners, and individuals with lived experience, reflecting the breadth of perspectives shaping current brain-heart health research. The session included opportunities for audience engagement during a Q&A period with the panel. This community event highlights the importance of knowledge translation, helping to bring advances in brain-heart research more directly into the hands of the public. Watch a video recording of the 2026 State of the Science Summit Public Lecture [here].
As a concluding reflection on the Summit, Dr. Jennifer Phillips, scientist at The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research and moderator of the Day 3 partner panel, highlighted the key takeaways that emerged:
“Over the past three days, we've explored the brain-heart connection from multiple perspectives: from pre-clinical discovery and therapeutic development, to diagnostics and precision medicine, to population health, equity, and models of care. Across all of these discussions, a common theme has emerged: the future of brain-heart health will depend not only on scientific breakthroughs, but on our ability to connect disciplines, sectors, and systems in new ways.
We've heard repeatedly about the need to move beyond traditional silos, to integrate research and care, to take a holistic view of brain, heart, and mental health, and to build partnerships that span academia, healthcare, government, industry, community organizations, and people with lived experience.”
We thank all who attended and presented at BHI’s 2026 State of the Science Summit, and a special thanks to our sponsors and partners.
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors!
