Key Dates
The conference will be held over a multi-day period during the week of December 7, 2026. The exact dates within the week will be posted shortly. If you’re looking to lock in travel plans early, come for the full week and enjoy the local Tempe and Arizona attractions on any off days!
Registration and abstract submission
Coming soon
Venue
Arizona State University (ASU) is one of the largest and most innovative public research universities in the United States, located in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area. Known for its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, ASU offers a wide range of programs across science, engineering, humanities, and the arts. The Tempe campus—the university’s original and largest campus—combines modern research facilities with vibrant student life, shaded walkways, and striking desert landscape. ASU consistently ranks highly for innovation and is recognized for its commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and cutting-edge research.
The main conference sessions will be held in the Pima Auditorium (Room 230) on the second floor of the Memorial Union at the center of ASU’s Tempe campus. The Memorial Union has quick dining options, outdoor spaces, and easy pedestrian access from all directions (see the interactive campus map). You can explore the Tempe campus ahead of time through an online virtual tour of ASU.
To support collaboration and informal discussion, an additional breakout space in the Cochise Room (Room 228) is conveniently located directly across from the main auditorium. This room will remain available to attendees throughout the conference for small group meetings, impromptu discussions, or quiet work.
A detailed map of the Memorial Union conference center is available to help you navigate.
Travel and Accommodations
Airport
The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (airport code: PHX) is located about 15-minutes (by car) from the ASU campus and nearby lodging.
Local transportation
Many hotels in Tempe offer a free shuttle to/from the airport — ask for details when you make hotel reservations. Taxi cab fare from the airport to downtown Tempe is typically about $30. The Phoenix Metro Light Rail service also connects the airport to downtown Tempe and the ASU campus, as well as downtown Phoenix and other destinations. Once in Tempe, most hotels and restaurants will be within walking distance of the conference center. The free Orbit Shuttle bus connects many local destinations within Tempe, including the ASU campus and Mill Avenue restaurant district. Tempe is always buzzing with Uber rideshare and autonomous Waymo robotaxi vehicles.
Lodging
There are many hotel options near the ASU campus in Tempe. Here are a few popular options:
The Graduate by Hilton Tempe: 7 minute walk to venue.
Hyatt Place (Tempe / Phoenix / University): 15 minute walk to venue. Adjacent to the Novus Place restaurant district.
Omni Tempe Hotel: 13 minute walk to venue. Adjacent to the Mill Avenue restaurant district.
Restaurants
The Mill Avenue restaurant district, just a short walk from the ASU campus and Memorial Union, offers a vibrant dining scene. This lively corridor features a wide range of options—from casual student favorites and quick bites to upscale dining, coffee shops, and late-night eateries. Popular spots include Caffe Boa (Mediterranean-inspired Italian cuisine) and Postino Annex (known for bruschetta boards). Additional favorites include Foche Cafe and Bistro (great fried pickled veggies) and Cornish Pasty Co., along with newer arrivals Prince St. Pizza and Proof Bread. Plus many more fast casual options between Mill Avenue and College Avenue.
Mill Avenue is also home to a dynamic nightlife and bar scene. Nearby venues such as Pedal Haus Brewery, The Yard (Culinary Dropout), and Snakes and Lattes (board games) provide relaxed social spaces, while a variety of cocktail lounges, rooftops bars (on hotels), and pubs make the area a central gathering point throughout the evening.
The Novus Place development in ASU’s Innovation Corridor is also a short walk and offers a newer dining district with a curated mix of modern restaurants and outdoor spaces. Designed as a central gathering hub, Novus Place features a diverse lineup including North Italia, Flower Child, Blanco Cocina + Cantina, and Blue Sushi Sake Grill, alongside casual options like The Melt, Eureka!, and Over Easy.
As in any urban environment, you can get your coffee fix from Starbucks all over Tempe. For a local coffee experience, check out Cartel Coffee.
Entertainment and Sightseeing
Tempe and surrounding regions in the Phoenix metropolitan area feature a variety of entertainment, sightseeing, and outdoor activities that are easily accessibly by walking, light rail and commuter services, or rental car. A good starting reference for options is provided by the ASU Wellness office.
Desert Botanical Garden: About 15 minutes from campus (by car or bus), the garden and offers casual walking trails and beautiful views of the local desert environment. Stay for lunch or dinner and enjoy Gertrude’s restaurant at the garden. If you’re in town over the weekend, stroll the candle-lit walkways in the evening during the seasonal Las Noches de las Luminarias.
Phoenix Zoo: Located next to the Desert Botanical Gardens about 15 minutes (by taxi) from campus. Enjoy the seasonal Zoo Lights display after dark.
The Musical Instrument Museum is a popular destination for visitors to the Phoenix area. It is about 30 minutes from Tempe by car – but people love it!
Mountain Biking: There are great trails around the Phoenix area.
Hiking and walking: You don’t have to leave the metro to finding fantastic hiking trails around Phoenix. Check out the trails on Camelback Mountain (Phoenix), South Mountain (west of Tempe), the McDowell Mountains (access in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills), or Papago Park (just north of Tempe). Or take a short walk to the top of “A” Mountain in Hayden Butte Preserve for a great local view.
Weather
The average highs for Tempe in mid-December are 67°F (19°C), and typical lows are 45°F (7°C). Here is the current weather forecast for today.
Science Organizing Committee (SOC)
Marin Anderson (JPL)
Libby Berkhout (McGill)
Judd Bowman (ASU)
Ruby Byrne (Caltech)
Ivey Davis (ASTRON)
Joshua Hibbard (Berkeley)
Natasha Hurley-Walker (Curtin)
Raul Monsalve (UNAB)
Jonathan Pober (Brown)
Mawson Sammons (AMU)
Additional SOC members may be added pending confirmation of availability.
Local Organizing Committee (LOC)
Judd Bowman
Joe Dubois
Danny Jacobs
Marc-O Lalonde
Shabbir Shaikh
Sponsor
