Emerging Contaminants Symposium
Kansas State University’s Center for Hazardous Substance Research and Kansas Water Institute will host a two-day event on September 22-23, 2026 focused on advancing science, practice, and collaboration around emerging contaminants. This symposium will bring together researchers, practitioners, industry, and community partners to explore the impacts of emerging contaminants on water, soil, food systems, and public health with the intent of identifying actionable opportunities for collaboration across Kansas and the nation.
Purpose and approach
This convening is intentionally designed to move beyond information-sharing toward relationship-building and coordinated action. Talks will address the subject of emerging contaminants and will include information on a wide variety of topics.
- PFAS and related compounds- Microplastics and nanoplastics
- Pharmaceuticals and personal care products
- Cyanotoxins and harmful algal blooms
- Agricultural chemicals (e.g., glyphosate, 6-PPD/6-PPDQ)
- Nanomaterials and advanced materials
- Radionuclides, perchlorates, and energetic compounds
- Contaminants linked to food systems, energy, or defense
- Water quality and watershed systems
- Soil health, physio/electrical/chemical properties, microbial communities, and nutrient cycling
- Food safety and food systems
- Human and community health
- Cumulative exposure and risk
- Monitoring, sensing, and data analytics
- Treatment, remediation, and management strategies
- Nature-based and regenerative agricultural solutions
- Policy, regulation, and risk communication
Please note that the agenda is still in development and will be finalized in the coming weeks. Broadly, discussions on Day 1 will focus on Community/Societal Needs and Current Research. On Day 2, participants will work together on Synthesis, gap identification, and opportunities to advance solutions.
Registration Information
Registration is open now. There is no cost to register, but space is limited.
We have a limited number of rooms in a block at the Holiday Inn KSU Campus. Participants must make their own hotel reservations; to take advantage of the room block rate, please use the information below. The room block rate will only be available until Saturday, August 22, 2026
Group Name: Emerging Contaminants
Check-In Date: Monday, September 21 (any time after 3:00 p.m.)
Check-Out Date: Wednesday, September 23 (12:00 p.m.)
Room Rate: $119.95
Breakfast not included
Reservations can be made in any of the methods listed below:
Call Hotel directly at (785) 539-7531
Online: www.holidayinn.com/universityks
Group Code: KWI
Provide the group code in order to receive the discounted rate.
Direct Link: Emerging Contaminants - Holiday Inn KSU Campus
To use the direct link, copy and paste to preferred browser, the discounted rate and dates will populate automatically.
Call for Presentations
The planning committee welcomes abstract submissions that address the topics shown above. Submissions should align, where possible, with one or more of the event’s intended outcomes: identification of existing expertise and assets; clarification of critical gaps and needs; development of collaborative research and education opportunities; contributions to emerging contaminants training and microcredential content; and/or actionable next steps for the next 12–18 months.
Presentation abstracts are due by August 1, 2026. Notifications of acceptance will be made by August 10, 2026.
Invited and selected presentations that pair technical expertise with community or applied impact. These 30-45 minute talks will:
- Discuss on-the ground needs and practical solutions
- Demonstrate partnerships (e.g., university - community, public - private)
- Use science communication and adult learning approaches to present technical information in laymen's terms
These 8-10 minute talks will directly inform facilitated discussions on assets, gaps, and opportunities for collective impact. Lightning talks are designed to quickly address:
- Emerging research ideas
- Tools, datasets, or technologies
- Partnership opportunities
- Unmet needs or challenges (scientific, funding, other)
Posters will be displayed during the evening reception on Day 1. Topics for posters can include:
- community/societal needs
- current science/technology solutions
- state of research to address unmet needs