MONet: Connect and Learn 2026 Meeting
April 28 - 30, 2026
Join us for this year's Molecular Observation Network (MONet): Connect and Learn 2026 Meeting (formerly called the MONet Community Science Meeting) from April 28–30. The meeting will be held in-person at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, WA and online.
The theme for this year's meeting focuses on machine learning tools to extract predictive insights from MONet datasets, with an emphasis on training participants to effectively use these data resources. The meeting will feature:
- 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
Student AND POSTDOC Travel Award
Advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral researchers, are encouraged to submit a travel award application to attend the meeting in-person. EMSL will cover airfare, lodging, and transportation between the hotel and campus for competitively selected applicants.
Submit a travel award application
Deadline to submit a student travel award application: February 6, 2026
In-person registration
If you are interested in attending the meeting in-person, submit your registration as soon as possible. Seats are limited and fill quickly.
Deadline for non-U.S. citizens to register: February 24, 2026
Deadline for U.S. citizens to register: March 31, 2026
Virtual Registration
Interested in attending but cannot join us in-person? We have you covered! Most portions of the meeting will be streamed via Zoom.
There is no registration deadline to attend virtually.
Student AND POSTDOC Travel Award
Advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral researchers, are encouraged to submit a travel award application to attend the meeting in-person. EMSL will cover airfare, lodging, and transportation between the hotel and campus for competitively selected applicants.
Submit a travel award application
Deadline to submit a student travel award application: February 6, 2026
In-person registration
If you are interested in attending the meeting in-person, submit your registration as soon as possible. Seats are limited and fill quickly.
Deadline for non-U.S. citizens to register: February 24, 2026
Deadline for U.S. citizens to register: March 31, 2026
Virtual Registration
Interested in attending but cannot join us in-person? We have you covered! Most portions of the meeting will be streamed via Zoom.
There is no registration deadline to attend virtually.
Tuesday, April 28
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Session 1 | Soil organic matter chemistry and microbial pathway analysis
Learning outcomes: Participants will learn how MONet structured and advanced molecular data types—like FTICR-MS and metagenomes—can be used to derive predictive insights into organic matter transformations and microbial community pathways.
Talks include:
- Introduction and MONet overview
- MONet data overview, processing, access & availability
- FTICR Mass Spectrometry: principles and molecular characterization
- Metagenomic principles, approaches, and genome extraction and analysis in KBase
- Building skills, community, and capacity in microbial ecology research through MONet
- Carbon cycle modeling through high-resolution soil organic matter molecular composition
- Linking molecular characterization with reactive transport modeling using agentic workflows
12 – 1:30 p.m.
Working lunch | MONet Contributing Posters
1:30 – 5 p.m.
Session 2 | MONet tools and applications for predictive insights, Part I
Learning outcomes: Participants will learn how 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.
Breakout discussions include:
- KBase and metagenomes
- Metabolic Modeling for Carbon Use Efficiency Workflows
Wednesday, April 29
8:30 – 11:50 a.m.
Session 3 | Analysis of soil structure using XCT and scaling MONet data
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.
Talks include:
- Why soil structure and hydrology are important
- Introduction to X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) and its application to MONet
- Advancing soil research through eBERlight X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy
- High-throughput soil science workflow using Synchrotron X-ray Micro Tomography
- Site-level metadata for modeling applications
- FTICR data analysis using an AI agent
- Creating Pedotransfer Functions with MONet data for scaling
11:50 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Working lunch | User success stories and ongoing manuscript efforts
1 – 5 p.m.
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
Breakout discussions include:
XCT data
Thursday, April 30
8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Session 5 | Process-based modeling, upscaling, and EMSL capabilities tour
Learning outcomes: Participants will learn how MONet data can be applied in process-based models—like the Millennial Model—and upscaling workflows, share feedback to guide next steps, and explore relevant EMSL laboratory capabilities through a guided tour.
Breakout discussions include:
- Machine learning tools for data analytics
- Process-based modeling using the Millennial Model
11:30 – 12 p.m.
Networking break and concluding remarks
12 - 1 p.m. (optional)