The Celiac Disease Foundation is proud to sponsor the 21st International Celiac Disease Symposium (ICDS), taking place November 17–20, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. Throughout the week, the Foundation will support key scientific and policy programming, present Foundation-led research, elevate patient perspectives, convene global patient organizations, and recognize excellence in celiac disease research.
The Foundation’s engagement begins before ICDS opens. On Monday, November 16, the Foundation will sponsor the Global Celiac Advocacy Alliance (GCAA) Leadership & Staff Meeting, a full-day convening of leaders and staff from national celiac patient societies around the world. The meeting will focus on shared global priorities, Codex Alimentarius and gluten-free standards, research collaboration, and ethical clinical trial readiness, helping to strengthen a coordinated and informed global patient voice entering ICDS.
The Foundation is also sponsoring the 3rd Annual Celiac Disease Screening Symposium on Tuesday, November 17, focused on advancing population-based celiac disease screening through programs, partnerships, and policy. Vanessa Weisbrod, Chief Programs Officer, will speak during the symposium about the Celiac Awareness and Pediatric Evaluation (CAPE) Act and the role of policy in advancing celiac disease screening.
Foundation leaders will contribute across the ICDS program. Marilyn Geller, Chief Executive Officer, will bring the patient perspective to the Patient Empowerment: Driving Change in Celiac Disease panel and Schär’s satellite symposium. Vanessa Weisbrod will also participate in the Patient and Family Education session and give an oral presentation on Foundation-led research examining dietary gluten exposure from shared fryers. Dr. Anne Lee, Nutrition Education Advisor to the Foundation, will share her expertise during the Nutrition and Dietetic Updates session.
At the ICDS Gala Dinner, the Foundation will present the biennial ISSCD–SSCD Research Prizes for Excellence in Celiac Disease Research, recognizing scientists whose work has significantly advanced the field. The prizes honor both lasting, transformative contributions to celiac disease research and outstanding achievement by an early-career investigator.
Members of the Executive Council of the Society for the Study of Celiac Disease (SSCD) will also have a significant presence throughout the scientific program. Dr. Marisa Stahl will participate in the Plenary on Triggers and Drivers; Dr. Marie Robert will contribute to Challenges & Advances in Histology; Dr. Ritu Verma will participate in the Clinical & Dietitian Education session; and Dr. Maureen Leonard will present research during What Have Recent Celiac Therapy Trials Taught Us? Dr. Stephanie Moleski will chair a session on Navigating Challenges, Opportunities, and International Perspectives, while Dr. Nan Du and Dr. Christopher Cao will present original research in the poster sessions.
Taken together, these activities reflect the Foundation’s commitment to advancing celiac disease research, improving diagnosis and care, strengthening global advocacy, and ensuring that the experiences and priorities of people living with celiac disease help shape the research, policies, and clinical conversations moving the field forward.
We are honored to join colleagues from around the world at ICDS 2026 and to contribute to a global exchange of science, ideas, and patient perspectives.
Learn more about ICDS 2026 and view the full program here: https://www.icds2026.org/