ICOPA 2026 will explore the dynamic and evolving landscape of parasitology under the theme “Parasites in a Changing World.” This congress will spotlight a broad spectrum of critical topics, with a special focus on the emerging challenges driven by climate change, the expanding role of extracellular vesicles in parasitic infections, and the development of innovative diagnostic tools and vaccines. In addition, ICOPA 2026 will highlight cutting-edge advancements in global health, the integration of artificial intelligence in parasitology research, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Through expert-led presentations, interactive sessions, and collaborative dialogue, the congress aims to inspire innovative strategies and foster global partnerships to combat parasitic diseases more effectively.

Parasite Ecology, Biodiversity, and Taxonomy

  • Ecology of Parasitism in Changing Ecosystems
  • Climate Change and Parasite Distribution
  • Wildlife Reservoirs and Zoonotic Spillover
  • Innovations in Parasite Taxonomy and Systematics
  • Emerging Parasitic Diseases
  • Veterinary and Aquatic Parasitology (Fish, Amphibians, etc.)
  • Parasites in Conservation Biology and Biodiversity Monitoring

Transmission Dynamics, Epidemiology, and Global Health

  • Vector Biology, Parasite Transmission and Control Strategies
  • Field Epidemiology and Surveillance in Human and Animal Populations
  • One Health Approaches to Zoonotic Parasitic Diseases
  • Water-and Food-Borne Parasitic Infections
  • High-Burden Diseases: Malaria, Trypanosomiasis, Schistosomiasis, Amoebiasis, Leishmaniasis
  • Parasitic Infection of Global Health and Biomedical Importance
  • Urbanization, Migration, and Parasite Spread

Resistance and Development of Drugs and Vaccines

  • Drug Discovery and Development Pipelines
  • Vaccine Development: Challenges and Breakthroughs
  • Drug Resistance and Molecular Biology
  • Parasite Gene Regulation and Host Adaptation
  • Parasite Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) for Therapeutics and Diagnostics
  • Translational Research in Agricultural and Biomedicine

Host Immunity, Molecular Interactions, and Microbiome

  • Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses to Parasites
  • Mechanisms of Evasion
  • Cell Signaling and Parasitism
  • Immunosuppression/HIV and Parasitic Diseases (Malaria, Leishmaniasis)
  • Gut Immunology and Enteric Parasites (Giardia, Entamoeba, Cryptosporidium, etc.)
  • Host Microbiome and Parasitic Infection
  • Vector Microbiome and Transmission

Diagnostics, Host-Parasite Interaction and Emerging Technologies

  • Biomarker Discovery and Diagnostic Innovation
  • New Development in Diagnostics of Parasitic Infection
  • Genomics, Transcriptomics, and Proteomics in Parasite Research
  • Host-Parasite Molecular and Cellular Interactions
  • Circadian Clock and Parasitic Infection
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Parasitology