Would you like to organize and convene a Mini-Symposium at the 9th Congress of the International Society for Applied Phycology, which will be held in Perth, Western Australia, from 21 to 26 November 2027. 

We are seeking expressions of interest for Mini-Symposia on any topic of relevance to the scope and objectives of ISAP 2027.

The Expression of Interest will be assessed by the conference organising committee.

ISAP 2027 Call for Expressions of Interest.pdf

EOI Requirements

1. Mini-Symposium Title

Please provide a concise title (maximum 20 words).

2. Organising Team

Please provide details of the proposed organising team.

Lead Organiser

• Name:
• Position:
• Organisation:
• Country:
• Email:

Co-Organiser(s)

• Name(s):
• Organisation(s):
• Country(ies):

3. Mini-Symposium Description

Please provide a brief description of the proposed symposium (maximum 300 words), including:

• Background and rationale
• Scientific or industry relevance
• Timeliness of the topic
• Expected outcomes and benefits to participants

4. Proposed Scope and Topics

Please identify the key themes and topics to be covered within the Mini-Symposium.

Examples may include, but are not limited to:

Primary Theme (select one):

☐ Theme 1: Algal Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology

☐ Theme 2: Seaweed Science, Cultivation and Blue Economy

☐ Theme 3: Food, Feed, Nutraceuticals and Human Health

☐ Theme 4: Aquaculture and Sustainable Production Systems

☐ Theme 5: Climate Solutions, Carbon Capture and Blue Carbon

☐ Theme 6: Circular Bioeconomy, Resource Recovery and Biorefineries

☐ Theme 7: Water, Wastewater, Harmful Algae and Environmental Remediation

☐ Theme 8: Artificial Intelligence, Digitalisation and Emerging Technologies

☐ Theme 9: Commercialisation, Industry Development and Policy

Secondary Theme(s) (optional):

☐ Theme 1: Algal Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology

☐ Theme 2: Seaweed Science, Cultivation and Blue Economy

☐ Theme 3: Food, Feed, Nutraceuticals and Human Health

☐ Theme 4: Aquaculture and Sustainable Production Systems

☐ Theme 5: Climate Solutions, Carbon Capture and Blue Carbon

☐ Theme 6: Circular Bioeconomy, Resource Recovery and Biorefineries

☐ Theme 7: Water, Wastewater, Harmful Algae and Environmental Remediation

☐ Theme 8: Artificial Intelligence, Digitalisation and Emerging Technologies

☐ Theme 9: Commercialisation, Industry Development and Policy

Please provide a brief statement (maximum 150 words) explaining how the proposed Mini-Symposium aligns with the selected ISAP 2027 theme(s).

5. Proposed Speakers

Please provide the proposed number of speakers and names and affiliation details if possible.

6. Preferred Format

Please indicate your preferred format:

☐ 90-minute session

☐ 2-hour session

☐ Half-day symposium

☐ Other (please specify)

Please provide a brief justification for the proposed format.

7. Expected Audience and Impact

Please describe:

• Target audience
• Expected level of interest
• Estimated attendance
• Scientific, industrial or societal impact

8. Contribution to Conference Growth

ISAP 2027 seeks to expand participation from the global algal community.

Please describe how your Mini-Symposium is expected to:

• Attract new delegates to ISAP 2027
• Engage research networks or international projects
• Involve industry, government and end-users
• Increase participation from under-represented regions or sectors

9. Diversity and Inclusion

Please briefly describe how the proposed Mini-Symposium will promote:

• Geographic diversity
• Gender diversity
• Career-stage diversity
• Sector diversity (academia, industry, government, NGOs)

10. Industry and Stakeholder Engagement

Will the Mini-Symposium involve any of the following?

☐ Industry representatives

☐ Government agencies

☐ Investors and commercial partners

☐ NGOs

☐ End-users

☐ Other

Please provide additional details where relevant. Do you have any funding support for the mini-symposium or do you plan to find some.

Selection Criteria

EOIs will be evaluated against the following criteria:

1. Scientific quality and significance of the proposed topic.
2. Alignment with the themes and objectives of ISAP 2027.
3. Strength and experience of the organising team.
4. Ability to attract delegates and broaden participation.
5. Feasibility of funding and speaker support arrangements.
6. Diversity and inclusiveness of the proposed session.

Important Note

Acceptance of a Mini-Symposium proposal does not imply financial support from ISAP 2027.

Submission Deadline: 15/April/2027

Notification of Acceptance: 30/May/2027

Submission Contact: Please send your EOI to: ISAP27@murdoch.edu.au.

Subject Line: ISAP 2027 Mini-Symposium EOI – [Lead Organiser Name]

If you wish to discuss please email Navid Moheimani (n.moheiunami@murdoch.edu.au)

We would like to invite you to submit an article for publication in the 2026 ISAP  bi-annual newsletter.

The deadline for submitting an article is 20th November 2026.

We welcome the submission of any technical articles in the field of applied phycology from any type of institution or organisation. Other types of contributions may include announcements for conferences, workshops, symposia, training courses and events, project updates, book reviews as well as reviews of technology and services.

A guidance document on how to submit an article can be found to the end of the latest newsletter.

Thank you for your time and we look forward to receiving your submissions!

The Five-Day International Workshop on
“Hands-on Training in Isolation, Identification and Taxonomy for Algal Biotechnology (From Theory to Practice)”

Venue: Chennai

has been rescheduled.

New Dates: 07–11 September 2026
(Previously scheduled for 15–19 June 2026)

We look forward to your participation in this comprehensive training program. Kindly update your calendars accordingly.

The International Society of Applied Phycology (ISAP) has announced the selection of a training initiative for partial financial support following the evaluation of three proposals submitted this year.

The funding has been awarded to Dr. S. Nagaraj of the University of Madras for organizing a specialized program titled “Hands-On Training in Isolation, Identification, and Taxonomy for Algal Biotechnology (From Theory to Practice).”

The training course will be held at the Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from 15 June to 19 June 2026. The program aims to provide practical and theoretical insights into algal biotechnology, equipping participants with essential skills in the field.

This initiative will be conducted with financial assistance from ISAP, highlighting the organization’s continued commitment to advancing research and capacity-building in applied phycology.

The International Society for Applied Phycology (ISAP) honors the life and legacy of Dr. Amha Belay — an extraordinary scientist, industry leader, and former Editor-in-Chief whose vision helped shape our Society and the global applied phycology community.

Over a career spanning more than four decades, Dr. Belay became one of the most influential figures in microalgae science, particularly in advancing the understanding and large-scale production of Spirulina (now Limnospira). His work bridged fundamental research and commercial application, demonstrating how rigorous science can drive sustainable innovation in nutrition and health.

Born in Ethiopia, Dr. Belay completed his undergraduate studies at Addis Ababa University (formerly Haile Selassie I University) and earned his PhD in algal physiology, phytoplankton ecology, and limnology in the United Kingdom. He later served as Associate Professor and Head of Biology at Addis Ababa University and held distinguished fellowships and research appointments internationally.

In the private sector, he provided scientific and strategic leadership as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Earthrise Nutritionals, where he guided the development of one of the world’s most successful large-scale Spirulina production systems. As Founder and CEO of Algae4All LLC, he continued to mentor, educate, and advise across the algae value chain.

Within ISAP, Dr. Belay’s contributions were foundational. As a founding member, Executive Committee member, and Editor-in-Chief, he championed scientific excellence, integrity, and the practical application of phycological research. His editorial leadership strengthened the quality, reach, and relevance of our publications and reinforced ISAP’s role as a global forum for applied phycology.

His scholarly contributions include numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, as well as co-editing the landmark volume Spirulina in Human Nutrition and Health — a key reference for researchers and practitioners worldwide. In recognition of his impact, ISAP awarded him the Distinguished Applied Phycologist Award, and he also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Algae Biomass Organization.

Beyond his accomplishments, we remember Dr. Belay for his generosity, mentorship, and unwavering belief in the power of algae to contribute to global sustainability and well-being. His influence will continue through the many scientists, innovators, and students he inspired.

On behalf of ISAP, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. We are deeply grateful for his leadership, his scholarship, and his enduring commitment to applied phycology.

The deadline for submission has been extended to 28th February.

As part of the mission and commitment of ISAP to promote and contribute to the education of a young generation of scientists and engineers dealing with Algal Biotechnology the society has decided to allocate funds annually to support training courses in algal biotechnology.

Who can apply? Any member of the society who holds a permanent job in a research or teaching institution from a DAC-list country (oe.cd/dac-list-oda-recipients), and can demonstrate experience in teaching and organization skills.

For more information see here

As part of the mission and commitment of ISAP to promote and contribute to the education of a young generation of scientists and engineers dealing with Algal Biotechnology the society has decided to allocate funds annually to support training courses in algal biotechnology.

Who can apply? Any member of the society who holds a permanent job in a research or teaching institution from a DAC-list country (oe.cd/dac-list-oda-recipients), and can demonstrate experience in teaching and organization skills.

For more information see here

We would like to invite you to submit an article for publication in the 2025 ISAP  bi-annual newsletter.

The deadline for submitting an article is 24th October 2025.

We welcome the submission of any technical articles in the field of applied phycology from any type of institution or organisation. Other types of contributions may include announcements for conferences, workshops, symposia, training courses and events, project updates, book reviews as well as reviews of technology and services.

A guidance document on how to submit an article can be found to the end of the latest newsletter.

Thank you for your time and we look forward to receiving your submissions!

A one week face to face training entitled "Blue Bioeconomy: The Hidden Potential of Microalage and Cyanobacteria in the High Andean Range" willt take place  22-26th September, 2025, with the aid of funding from the International Society of Applied Phycology (ISAP).

The training will identify the hidden potential of microalgae and cyanobacteria in the high Andean Range will take place at the Plant and Applied Biotechnology, Agricultural and Environmental Science Faculty (FICAYA),Technical University of the North,   22-26th September, 2025.