Beckman Foundation Hosts 27th Annual Research Symposium for Program Awardees

IRVINE, Calif. (August 10, 2026) – The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation announced that its annual Beckman Symposium event took place July 30 through August 1 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine in Orange County, California. The three-day meeting brought together the organization’s national grant program awardees – Beckman Young Investigators, Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows, Beckman Scholars, and Instrumentation Grantees – as well as Beckman Institutes/Centers to share their newest research findings as poster or oral presentations. Participants were also given opportunities to network, learn about a broad range of research topics from their peers, and discuss career tips with invited experts from academia, industry, and medicine.

Highlights Included:

• Appreciation Awards: Board Chair Ms. Kristen Monson Welcomed Attendees and Recognized Professors Heather Allen, Nicholas Ball, George O’Doherty, and David Piston for Their Service to the Foundation
• Keynote Session: Dr. Jen Heemstra on “Setting Resilient Goals for Thriving in Your Academic Career and Beyond”
• Inaugural Expo: BBQ Lunch and Expo Booths Hosted by the Beckman Institutes/Center and Beckman Foundation Program Officers
• General Session: Dr. Valda Vinson on “Publishing with Purpose: Strategies for Productivity and Impact”

The Beckman Symposium was developed to promote sharing of scientific knowledge and to foster collaboration. Attendees participated in biology- and chemistry- themed technical talks, conflict resolution workshops, Beckman Jeopardy! trivia, career trajectory panels, meet and greet sessions, games, and other networking activities.

The first Beckman Symposium was held in 1999. Since then, it has been held as a closed event for Foundation guests. This year, more than 350 attendees gathered for the research conference. For more information, visit the Beckman Symposium webpage. Photo credit: Corey Sandler, OC Event Photos.

About the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
Located in Irvine, California, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation supports researchers and nonprofit research institutions in making the next generation of breakthroughs in chemistry and the life sciences. Founded in 1977 by 20th century scientific instrumentation pioneer Dr. Arnold O. Beckman, the Foundation supports United States institutions and young scientists whose creative, high-risk, and interdisciplinary research will lead to innovations and new tools and methods for scientific discovery. For more information, visit beckman-foundation.org.

###

Download a pdf of the press release here:

Press Contact:
Kaerie Ray, Communications Director
(949) 560-4232, [email protected]