7th Annual Midwest Aging Consortium Research Symposium
Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, IL
April 16 – 17, 2026
About | Invited Speakers | Registration & Abstract Submission
Travel | Venue & Hotel | Dates and Deadlines
Registration is required, as seating is limited. Please email Sean Campbell at seancampbell@northwestern.edu for questions.
About 2026 MAC 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.
The conference is organized by Luisa Morales-Nebreda, MD and G.R. Scott Budinger, MD.
Invited Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Rozalyn Anderson, PhD
Vilas Distinguished Professor
Director Wisconsin Nathan Shock Center
Department of Medicine, SMPH
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Carmela Sidrauski, Ph.D
Distinguished Principal Investigator
Calico Life Sciences LLC
Guest Speakers
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Associate Professor
Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics
Masonic Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism
University of Minnesota
Associate Professor
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Director, Laboratory for Translational Neuropsychology
Northwestern University
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
Associate Professor
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Northwestern University
Professor
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Vice Chair of Research, Department of Internal Medicine
The Ohio State University
Registration Information & Abstract Submission
Registration Fee (non-refundable):
$200 | Faculty & 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:
Venue and Hotel
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.
Travel and 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
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)
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.
Important Dates and Deadlines
March 1, 2026, Abstract submission deadline
April 16-17, 2026, Conference dates
Midwest Aging Consortium 