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MONet: Connect and Learn 2026 Meeting
April 28 - 30, 2026

The Molecular Observation Network (MONet): Connect and Learn 2026 Meeting (formerly called the MONet Community Science Meeting) was held April 28–30 in person at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, WA and online.

The meeting focused on machine learning tools to extract predictive insights from MONet datasets, with an emphasis on training participants to effectively use these data resources. Activities included:

  • Lectures on MONet methods and data types
  • MONet data analysis tutorial
  • Presentations on how MONet supports and enhances your research
  • Exploration of the types of science enabled by MONet
  • Opportunities for discussion and participation in ideation sessions for contributing or leading manuscripts using MONet data

 

Photo of people standing in front of the EMSL entrance, smiling at the camera.

View photos from the MONet: Connect and Learn 2026 Meeting on Flickr.

 

Tuesday, April 28

Session 1 | Soil organic matter chemistry and microbial pathway analysis

EMSL Auditorium & online via Zoom
All times PDT

Learning outcomes: Participants will learn how MONet structured and advanced molecular data types (e.g., FTICR-MS and metagenomes) can be used to derive predictive insights into organic matter transformations and microbial community pathways.

8:15 a.m. - Instructions and introduction to MONet: Connect and Learn

  • Vanessa Garayburu-Caruso | Earth scientist | EMSL

8:20 a.m. - MONet overview and vision

  • Odeta Qafoku | Earth scientist | EMSL

8:35 a.m. - MONet data overview, processing, access, and availability

  • Kaizad Patel | Earth scientist | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory/EMSL

9 a.m. - FTICR mass spectrometry: Molecular characterization and intro to data analysis

  • Vanessa Garayburu-Caruso | Earth scientist | EMSL

9:25 a.m. - Metagenome-assembled genome extraction and analysis in KBase

  • Zach Crocket | KBase

10 a.m. - Group photo and networking break

10:15 a.m. - Building skills, community, and capacity in microbial ecology research through MONet

  • Tanya Cheeke | Associate professor | Washington State University

10:40 a.m. - Microbial capacity for chemically-recalcitrant carbon decomposition, as seen through soil metagenomics and chemistry

  • Young Song | Postdoctoral researcher | EMSL

11:05 a.m. - Leveraging high-resolution molecular composition of soil organic matter to enhance carbon cycle modeling

  • Yi Xiao | Earth scientist | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

11:30 a.m. - Developing agentic workflow to link molecular characterization with reactive transport modeling

  • Xingyuan Chen | Data scientist | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Noon - Working lunch - MONet contributing posters

  • Location: EMSL 1075-1077 and EMSL lobby
Session 2 | MONet tools and applications for predictive insights, Part I

Learning outcomes: Participants will learn to use MONet data and tools to generate predictive insights, including workflows for metagenome analysis in KBase and metabolic modeling approaches for quantifying carbon use efficiency. 

1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - KBase and metagenomes

  • Room: EMSL 1075-1077
  • Zach Crockett and Young Song

3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Metabolic modeling for carbon use efficiency workflows

  • Room: EMSL 1075-1077
  • Christian Ayala-Ortiz and Arjun Chakrawal

5:30 p.m. - Optional no-host gathering

  • Location: Lu Lu Craft Bar + Kitchen
    606 Columbia Point Dr. Richland, WA 99352

Wednesday, April 29

Session 3 | Analysis of soil structure using XCT and scaling MONet data

EMSL Auditorium and online via Zoom
All times PDT

Learning outcomes: Participants will learn how X-ray computed tomography (XCT) data and derived soil structural metrics can be integrated with MONet datasets to support upscaling and predictive modeling.

8:30 a.m. - From cores to fluxes: How soil structure shapes hydrobiogeochemical function

  • Emily Graham | Biogeochemical Transformations IRP leader | EMSL

8:45 a.m. - Introduction to XCT and its application to MONet

  • Tamas Varga | Materials scientist | EMSL

9:10 a.m. - A high-throughput synchrotron X-ray micro-tomography workflow for soil science

  • Xiaoyang Liu | Beamline scientist | APS, eBERlight

9:35 a.m. - Advancing soil research with XAS through the eBERlight-EMSL-MONet collaboration

  • Debora Meira | Beamline scientist | APS, eBERlight

10 a.m. - Networking break

10:25 a.m. - From Soil Pore Networks to Biogeochemical Function: Modeling Opportunities

  • Jianqiu Zheng | Earth scientist | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

10:50 a.m. - Site-level metadata for MONet modeling applications

  • Maia S. Kapur | Data scientist | EMSL

11:05 a.m. - A GenAI-powered FTICR analysis assistant

  • Arjun Chakrawal | Computational scientist | EMSL

11:20 a.m. - Beyond porosity: Leveraging staining and neutral-networked-based segmentation approaches to study soil organic matter

  • Devin Rippner | Research soil scientist | U.S. Department of Agriculture

11:50 a.m. - Working lunch - User success stories/ongoing manuscript efforts - Working groups

  • Room: EMSL 1075-1077 and EMSL lobby
  • Vanessa Garayburu-Caruso | EMSL
Session 4 | MONet tools and applications for Predictive Insights, Part II

Learning outcomes: Participants will learn how to navigate XCT datasets and analysis workflows, and how to integrate XCT-derived soil structural metrics with MONet data types.

1 p.m. - 5 p.m. - X-ray computed tomography data

  • Room: EMSL 1075
  • Speakers: Sameera Nalin Venkat, Layton Washburn, Aramy Truong, Hasitha Wijesuriya, Maruti Mudunuru

5:30 p.m. - Optional no-host gathering

  • Perch Cantina
    592 Columbia Point Dr. Richland, WA 99352

Thursday, April 30

Session 5 | tools for modeling and EMSL capabilities

Learning outcomes: Participants will learn how MONet data can be applied in process-based models (e.g., the Millennial model) and upscaling workflows, share feedback to guide next steps, and explore relevant EMSL laboratory capabilities through a guided tour.

8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Machine learning tools for working with MONet data

  • Room: EMSL 1075-1077
  • Speakers: Arjun Chakrawal, Aramy Truong, Yi Xiao

10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Process-based modeling for soil carbon cycle

  • Room: EMSL 1075-1077
  • Speakers: Arjun Chakrawal, Aramy Truong, Yi Xiao

11:30 a.m. - Networking break poll, feedback, and concluding remarks

After concluding remarks - Walking tour of EMSL (1 hour)

  • MONet soil laboratory
  • Automation laboratory
  • X-ray computed tomography laboratory