Themes

Theme #1 – Innovation in Sampling & Analysis

Theme Lead: Kevan Yamahara
Co-Leads: Pascal Craw & Anastasija Zaiko

Day 1 is dedicated to advancing the next generation of marine omics technologies — from autonomous samplers and in situ analysers, to scalable, field-ready, systems that enable global ocean monitoring. Sessions will map the evolving technology landscape, assess readiness and validation needs, and align innovations with user-driven requirements across diverse environments. The goals are to identify critical engineering and operational gaps, strengthen standardization and interoperability, and build pathways for real-world deployment through partnerships, testbeds, and sustainable models.

Time	Duration	Agenda Block / Session	Presenters / Leads
08:30 – 09:15	45 min	Welcome & Opening Remarks	Workshop Co-Chairs
09:15 – 09:25	10 min	Session 1 Introduction	Day 1 Chairs
09:25 – 09:35	10 min	Lightning Talk 1 – Acbotic Sampler Systems	Erin Fishell
09:35 – 09:45	10 min	Lightning Talk 2 – Sequench Sampler Systems	Anastasia Zaiko
09:45 – 09:55	10 min	Lightning Talk 3 – INSEC TEC  Sampler System	Alfredo Martin
09:55 – 10:05	10 min	Lightning Talk 4 – EMBRC Sampler System	Christina Pavloudi
10:05 – 10:15	10 min	Lightning Talk 5 – CSIRO Sampler System	Pascal Craw
10:15 – 10:45	30 min	Morning Break	—
10:45 – 10:57	12 min	Lightning Talk 6 – Development of the ISMFF	Yong Wang
10:57 – 11:10	13 min	Lightning Talk 7 – DOT qPCR System	Vincent Seiben
11:10 – 12:25	75 min	Session 2 – Instrumentation Gaps & Priorities (Breakout)	Day 1 Chairs
12:25 – 13:25	60 min	Lunch Break	—
13:25 – 13:35	10 min	Kickoff Presentation – Validation Study: Toward Standardized Instrumentation Reporting	Day 1 Chairs
13:35 – 14:50	75 min	Session 3 – Standardized Instrumentation Reporting & Validation (Breakout)	Day 1 Chairs
14:50 – 15:20	30 min	Afternoon Break	—
15:20 – 16:20	60 min	Session 4 – Challenges & Solutions to Instrumentation Uptake & Scaling (Panel)	Day 1 Chairs • Panelists: Shaun Wilkinson, Austen Thomas, Michael Marnane, Heather Robinson, Luka Gray, Ikelau Otto
16:20 – 16:30	10 min	Wrap-Up & Adjourn	Day 1 Chairs – Workshop Co-Chairs

Theme #2 – Advancing eDNA Applications & Global Coordination

Theme Lead: Jodie Van De Kamp
Co-Leads: Debany Fonseca Pereira Batista & Annette Govindarajan

Day 2 of the workshop will explore how eDNA research translates into tangible benefits for global biodiversity monitoring, conservation efforts, and informed decision making. Through keynote presentations, lightning talks showcasing successful applications and troubleshooting, and focused breakout sessions, we aim to: (1) define key criteria for prioritizing omics applications, ensuring equitable access and stakeholder involvement; (2) identify high-impact applications with potential to address pressing environmental challenges; (3) explore technological adaptations needed to enhance the effectiveness, scalability, and affordability of omics tools; and (4) determine concrete steps to improve global adaptability and integration of eDNA data into existing observing systems. Our overarching goal is to foster collaboration, promote capacity building, and chart actionable future directions in eDNA technology development and implementation, with a particular focus on addressing the needs of both the Global North and Global South.

Time	Duration	Session Title	Presenters / Leads
08:30 – 09:15	45 min	Arrival	—
09:15 – 09:30	15 min	Welcome & Opening Remarks Day 2 Theme Goals • Omics Global Applications: Achievements & Gaps • Benefits of Integration in Global Observing Systems • Requirements for Worldwide Accessibility and Adoption Day 2 Organisation/Schedule	Jodie van de Kamp • Debany Fonseca Pereira Batista • Annette Govindarajan
09:30 – 10:00	30 min	Keynote Presentation	Xavier Pochon
10:00 – 10:30	30 min	Morning Break	—
10:30 – 10:45	15 min	Lightning Talk 1 – Global North Scientist: Successful Applications & Troubleshooting	Ryan Kelly
10:45 – 11:00	15 min	Lightning Talk 2 – Global South Scientist: Successful Applications & Troubleshooting	Evandro Lopes
11:00 – 11:15	15 min	Lightning Talk 3 – Developer: Successful Development and Gaps	Ethan Edson
11:15 – 11:30	15 min	Lightning Talk 4 – Global North Scientist: Successful Applications & Troubleshooting – Deep Sea	Annette Govindarajan
11:30 – 11:45	15 min	Lightning Talk 5 – Global South Scientist: Successful Applications & Troubleshooting	Mamie Souadou Diop
11:45 – 12:00	15 min	Lightning Talk 6 – Developer/Commercial: Commercial Perspective on Technology Use Trends, Scaling Up, Lower Cost, and Future Projections	Shaun Wilkinson
12:00 – 13:00	60 min	Lunch Break	—
13:00 – 13:45	45 min	Breakout Session 1: Science Applications and Associated Technical Needs • How should omics priority applications be defined? • Which applications are to be considered as priority? • Technological adaption required: automation, modularity, data integration etc.	Group Facilitators
13:45 – 14:00	15 min	Breakout Session 1: Science Applications and Associated Technical Needs Reporting – Rapporteur – Key Recommendations	Group Facilitators
14:00 – 14:30	30 min	Afternoon Break 1	—
14:30 – 15:15	45 min	Breakout Session 2: Global Coordination Ocean Observing and Global South Global adaptability: Protocols standardisation/best practices a) Achievements to date b) Gaps remaining Global accessibility: Cost effective new technology developments Global integration: Benefits of integration in Global Observing systems a) Supporting global biodiversity monitoring and conservation efforts b) Inform decision making and policy needs	Group Facilitators
15:15 – 15:30	15 min	Breakout Session 2: Global Coordination Ocean Observing and Global South Reporting – Rapporteur – Key Recommendations	Group Facilitators
15:30 – 15:45	15 min	Afternoon Break 2	—
15:45 – 16:30	45 min	Synthesis Discussion • Goals review and progress assessment • Breakout group results • Take-home messages Foster collaboration Promote capacity building	Day 2 Chairs
16:30 –	—	Closing Remarks & Transition to Day 3	Day 2 Chairs

Theme #3 – Data, Integration & Decision-Making

Theme Lead: Elizabeth Allan
Co-Leads: Eric Raes & Elif Demir-Hilton

Day 3 focuses on the path from field sample collection to usable information, recognizing that data quality and accessibility are fundamental to technology validation. Sessions will examine how to connect field sampling directly with data reporting systems and what metadata requirements are needed to support different users—commercial labs, academic researchers, environmental managers, and policymakers who may not be omics experts. Discussions will cover integrating eDNA with other monitoring data, designing dashboards for various audiences, and addressing the workflow bottlenecks from sample collection, lab processing, and then from turning the data into useful information for managers and end users. The aim is to build practical feedback loops across the entire pipeline, pinpoint where current systems fall short in turning data into decisions, and develop integration approaches that make marine omics genuinely useful for science, industry, policy, and conservation efforts.

Time	Duration	Session Title	Presenters / Leads
09:00 – 09:15	15 min	Welcome & Opening Remarks	Eily Allan
09:15 – 10:45	90 min	Session 1: Panel Operational Users/Applications for Dashboards Panelists: • Madi Green • Ikelau Otto • Luka Gray • Michael Marnane • Susie Theroux	Moderator: Eric Raes
10:45 – 11:00	15 min	Morning Break	—
11:00 – 12:00	60 min	Session 2: Lightning Talks Existing Dashboards Speakers: • Petra Muellner (Ripple by Epi)  • Marcelle Ayad (Minderoo LLM model)  • Katherine ​​Tattersall (Australia Parks)  • Julie Stanford (eDNA Explorer)	Moderator: Elif Demir-Hilton
12:00 – 13:00	60 min	Lunch Break	—
13:00 – 15:00	120 min	Session 3: Breakout Sessions Coordination Between Sample Developers, Laboratory Processing, Decision Makers & End Users Groups: • Group A: Field/Lab Interface • Group B: Lab/Dashboards Interface • Group C: Field/Dashboards Interface	Session Moderators: • Eily Allan • Elif Demir-Hilton • Eric Raes
15:00 – 15:30	30 min	Afternoon Break 1	—
15:30 – 16:15	45 min	Session 3: Breakout Sessions Wrap Up	Session Moderators: • Eily Allan • Elif Demir-Hilton • Eric Raes
16:15 – 16:30	15 min	Afternoon Break 2	—
16:30 – 17:30	60 min	Whole Meeting Wrap Up & Adjourn	Session Moderators: • Kevan Yamahara • Pascal Craw