Fifth Scientific Kratom Symposium February 17-20, 2026
The Fifth Scientific Kratom Symposium is an event that will bring together the world’s most preeminent scholars on Mitragyna speciosa from across disciplines including botany, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, clinical study and population health and health policy. We are inviting regulators, policymakers and industry to create a truly inclusive and diverse experience.
Important Dates
| Action Item | Open Date | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| Abstract Submissions | June 1, 2025 | October 3, 2025 |
| Symposium Registration | August 1, 2025 | January 30, 2026 |
| Speaker Registration | August 1, 2025 | October 31, 2025 |
| Abstract Acceptance | October 14, 2025 |
Venue
HOST VENUE
UF Research and Academic Center
The UF Research and Academic Center is a state-of-the-art facility located in the thriving Lake Nona community in southwest Orlando. Lake Nona is located near the Orlando International Airport and is home to some of the nation’s leading hospitals, universities, research institutions and life sciences companies.
How to Register
Registration Deadline: January 30, 2026
Registration has closed!
If you have any questions, please contact: Oliver Grundmann, grundman@ufl.edu
Abstract submission
If you would like to be considered for a presentation, please submit a one-page document (PDF only) including the following elements:
· Title
· Authors & affiliations
· Presenting author name
· Abstract of no more than 300 words describing succinctly the methods, results, and conclusions of the research.
· Up to 5 keywords addressing the area of research (no need to include kratom or Mitragyna speciosa as keywords)
· Attach document (PDF format)
Students will be notified a few weeks after the submission deadline if their abstract has been chosen.
Any academic investigator is encouraged to invite their graduate students and/or postdocs to submit abstracts – only students that submit an abstract that has been accepted are eligible to attend the conference.
Submission Deadline: September 30, 2025
2026 Abstract Submissions Have Closed
Hotels
Speakers Only
Speaker Hotel Rooms
Speakers do not need to book a hotel room for themselves. Travel arrangements will be made by the UF Conference Department for invited speakers and accepted abstract submissions. Accepted abstracts will be notified around mid-October and a form will be sent to collect your travel information.
Attendee Hotel Room Block
SpringHill Suites
If you will be attending the Scientific Kratom Symposium and won’t be speaking, you are welcome to book your hotel room through the room block we have reserved at SpringHill Suites. There will be a shuttle between the hotel and venue in the morning and evening of each day for a limited window of time.
By being inclusive of a wide audience of stakeholders, the symposium will achieve two overarching goals:
To showcase and share the most up-to-date clinical and preclinical research on Mitragyna speciosa, and to exchange ideas of interest for furthering the scientific study of both Mitragyna speciosa and the kratom products derived from this botanical.
For all stakeholders to identify and discuss the most concerning issues facing the fate of Mitragyna speciosa both internationally and within growing Western markets. This will be done with an emphasis on quality standards, education, regulation, policy and safe supply.
Format
The format is a 4-day symposium with structured presentations from leaders in the field. Presenters will take questions from attendees. Short breaks for networking will be built into the schedule. We will also hold a poster presentation session in the evening of the first day.
2026 Agenda Overview
February 17, 2026, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Day 1
5:00 – 7:00 PM – Welcome, Registration, Introductory Remarks, & Overview
February 18, 2026, 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Day 2
8:00 – 8:40 AM – Breakfast & Check-in
8:40 – 9:00 AM – Opening
9:00 – 10:50 AM – Presentations
10:50 – 11:20 AM – Break
11:20 AM – 12:20 PM – Presentations
12:20 – 1:30 PM – Lunch & Networking
1:30 – 2:40 PM – Presentations
2:40 – 3:00 PM – Break
3:00 – 5:00 PM – Presentations
5:30 – 7:30 PM – Reception
February 19, 2026, 8:00 am – 4:40 pm
Day 3
8:00 – 9:00 AM – Breakfast & Check-in
9:00 – 10:00 AM – Keynote Address
10:00 – 11:20 AM – Presentations
11:20 – 11:40 AM – Break
11:40 AM – 12:25 PM – Presentations
12:25 – 1:20 PM – Lunch & Networking
1:20 – 3:00 PM – Presentations
3:00 – 3:20 PM – Break
3:20 – 5:20 PM – Presentations
February 20, 2026, 8:00 aM – 3:00 pM
Day 4
8:00 – 9:00 AM – Breakfast
9:00 – 10:20 AM – Presentations
10:20 – 10:50 AM – Break
10:50 AM – 12:10 PM – Presentations
12:10 – 1:00 PM – Lunch & Networking
1:00 – 3:00 PM – Open Discussion & Town Hall
Become a sponsor
If you are interested in sponsoring the Fifth Scientific Kratom Symposium please contact; Dr. Christopher McCurdy at cmccurdy@cop.ufl.edu
Organizing Committee
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Paula Brown, M.Sc, Ph.D
Director, Natural Health and Food Products Research Group (NRG)
Canada Research Chair in Phytoanalytics
UF College of Pharmacy
Oliver Grundmann, Ph.D.
Clinical Professor and Assistant Dean of Lifelong Learning
UF College of Pharmacy
Christopher R McCurdy, Ph.D., F.A.A.P.S.
Professor And The Frank A. Duckworth Eminent Scholar Chair; Associate Dean For Faculty Development; Director Of The UF Translational Drug Development Core
Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia
Darshan Singh, MPA, Ph.D.
Academic Staff
