26th BIG Retreat

The 26th BIG Retreat will be a one-and-a-half-day symposium style program featuring early- and mid-career level and postgraduate student presentations, plenary lectures, the Jonathan Sprent Oration, and evening poster session and dinner.

The event is intended as a retreat, where immunology researchers (expert and next generation) can interact and get to know each other.

Registrations will open Thursday 7 May 2026.

For any enquiries, please email conferences@qimrb.edu.au

Registration includes:

• Access to all sessions over the one-and-a-half day meeting
• All meals (i.e. morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea)
• Poster session refreshments
• BIG Retreat conference dinner

Note registration does not include accommodation, breakfast or bus transfer.

Pricing is as follows:

• ASI member - $375
• ASI non-member - $450
• ASI member student - $300
• ASI non-member student - $400

ALL DELEGATES MUST BOOK THEIR OWN ACCOMMODATION – SEE LINK BELOW

Accommodation for the night of 20 August is available at Sea World for $324 (Double Occupancy).

Breakfast can be added for an additional $25.

Please book directly with Sea World.

Book early to secure the discounted rate!

We encourage all registrants to submit an abstract for poster presentation to share their work at the BIG Retreat 2026.

Please download our abstract guidelines for word counting and formatting rules.

*Postgraduate students can request to have their abstract considered for oral presentation in the Postgraduate session on Day 1. The best presentation, as determined by the judging panel, will receive the Peter Doherty Medal.

During registration, students will have the option to check a box if they wish their abstract to be considered for oral presentation. If their abstract is not chosen, they will still be invited to present a poster.

*Note: Only ASI member students will have their abstracts considered for oral presentation. This includes those students who join ASI immediately prior to registering/submitting abstracts.

Please submit your abstract to conferences@qimrb.edu.au by Friday 12 June 2026.

Selected speakers will be notified by Friday 17 July.

Sponsorship of BIG 2026 provides an excellent opportunity to:

• Promote your organisation and your products to industry
• Increase and strengthen brand awareness
• Network and build new relationships
• Extend and maintain your branding and visual presence amongst industry users and buyers
• Be openly acknowledged for your support in the industry

Please email A/Prof Danielle Stanisic (d.stanisic@griffith.edu.au)  for a sponsorship prospectus.

Draft program available below

Please check with your University, Institute or School if there are any restrictions with regards to conference attendance and / or overnight travel and your specific application requirements before you register. We are unable to provide a refund if your travel application is refused.

A bus will collect registered delegates from QIMR Berghofer and the PA Hospital on Thursday 20 August and transfer delegates to Sea World Resort, Gold Coast. Following the conclusion of the meeting a bus will return delegates to Brisbane dropping off at the PA Hospital and QIMR Berghofer. Return bus transfer is $60 and should be purchased during registration.

The Brisbane Immunology Group (BIG) encourages, promotes and supports the discipline of immunology in Queensland. It is a broad organisation, embracing all research into basic, clinical, cellular and molecular immunology in humans and animals.

BIG aims to provide opportunities for young scientists to develop their skills in immunological fields and presenting their research findings. BIG also provides an opportunity for various groups within Queensland to collaborate with other instate organisations, through exchange programs and the BIG Retreat.

BIG was established in 1999 as part of the Queensland branch of the Australasian Society for Immunology (now known as ASI – Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology Inc) and has been supported by ASI and QIMR Berghofer for many years.

• Associate Professor Danielle Stanisic, Griffith University, ASI-QLD Councillor
• Professor Rajiv Khanna, QIMR Berghofer
• Associate Professor Severine Navarro, ASI-QLD Councillor
• Dr Katharine Irvine, The University of Queensland
• Dr Margaret Jordan, James Cook University
• Dr Carla Proietti, The University of Queensland
• Associate Professor Kate Garlan, QIMRB
• Dr Jennifer Smith, The University of Queensland
• Dr Adriana Pilego Zamora, The University of Queensland