Orthodox Academy of Crete Hosts the 2026 Mosquito Kolymbari Meeting
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The Orthodox Academy of Crete (OAC) once again affirmed its role as an international center for dialogue, research and interdisciplinary collaboration by hosting the “Mosquito Kolymbari Meeting 2026,” the world’s leading scientific conference in the field of mosquito biology and vector borne infectious diseases. The meeting, co founded by the late Professor Fotis C. Kafatos and Professor Christos Louis, has shaped the evolution of this scientific domain for more than two decades, establishing Kolymbari as a reference point for researchers worldwide.
The 2026 edition brought together leading scientists to present the latest advances in vector biology, genomics, microbiology, pathogen biology and emerging technologies aimed at combating malaria, dengue, Zika virus, West Nile virus and other mosquito borne diseases. Special focus was placed on new strategies for mosquito population control, gene editing technologies, microbiome–pathogen interactions and the impact of climate change on the geographic expansion of disease vectors.
A defining characteristic of the Mosquito Kolymbari Meeting is its unique format. Rather than functioning as a conventional scientific conference, it operates as a forum for open exchange, collaboration and idea generation. All participants are given equal presentation time, while the program is designed to encourage substantive scientific discussion, foster new partnerships and support active engagement across the research community.
During the meeting, the “Mosquito Kolymbari Meeting Life Achievement Award” was presented—an institutional distinction honoring scientists whose work has had a transformative impact on vector borne disease research. This year’s award was bestowed upon Professor Anthony A. James of the University of California, Irvine, in recognition of his pioneering contributions to vector biology and the development of innovative genetic approaches for disease control.
In his closing address, Professor George K. Christophides highlighted the unique history of the Mosquito Kolymbari Meeting and the decisive role of the Orthodox Academy of Crete in shaping its identity. He emphasized that for more than twenty years, Kolymbari has served as a global meeting point for researchers, enabling the creation of major international collaborations, inspiring new scientific initiatives and supporting the development of technologies aimed at reducing the global burden of vector borne diseases.
With its long standing commitment to dialogue, scientific progress and international cooperation, the Orthodox Academy of Crete continues to stand as one of the Mediterranean’s most respected institutions—strengthening Crete’s global visibility and contributing meaningfully to research, innovation and public health worldwide.
