Vestibular Oriented Research Meeting

Project Summary/Abstract We propose that the 2025 Vestibular Oriented Research Meeting will be held on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora/Denver, Colorado on June 23-26. The overall goal of this meeting is to enhance collaborative efforts and drive better understanding of the function of the vestibular system. This meeting will bring together a diverse range of vestibular experts from around the world – including audiologists, basic scientists, neuroengineers, neurologists, neuroscientists, otologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. These experts will come from the communities of government and academic scientists. Building upon the successful meetings in 2019, 2021 (virtual), and 2023, the focus of the 2025 meeting will be on all aspects of vestibular function, including but not limited to (a) mechanisms and anatomy of the vestibular periphery, (b) information processing, (c) visual-vestibular integration, (d) behavioral research, including vestibulo-ocular reflexes and balance, (e) aging, and (f) vestibular systems modeling and neuroengineering. We intend to continue following the 2025 meeting, with a meeting every other year (e.g., 2027, 2029, etc). Objectives of our meeting series are to (i) promote a sense of community (ii) foster scientific discussions and interactions, (iii) support young investigators and participant diversity, and (iv) encourage collaborative research (e.g., sharing of unique resources like some of those at the Naval Medical Research Unit in Dayton). Successful attainment of our objectives will greatly enhance the pace, direction, and completion of rigorous vestibular-centric research, the discoveries of which could lead to seminal evidence necessary to move the field forward. The meetings will offer trainees (students and post-doctoral fellows) funding to offset conference attendance and participation-related costs, providing an opportunity to discuss their work, develop new ideas, and network not only with other junior investigators, but also with senior scientists, providing an unique collegial environment for professional growth. The 2025 meeting is co-organized by researchers from the University of Colorado-Boulder (PI Dr. T. Clark), the University of Colorado-Anschutz (Drs. K. Rennie and J. Hebert), and the Ohio State University (Dr. D. Merfeld). In addition, as in prior meetings, we will have a diverse group of 6-8 planning committee members. The Anschutz Medical Campus provides an outstanding co-located scientific and clinical setting to encourage the intense invigorating discussions planned for this collegial gathering, in addition to providing a distinctive opportunity to visit world-class vestibular research laboratories and clinical facilities.