What to know
The annual Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) conference is the nation's flagship applied epidemiology conference where EIS officers share their work in leading-edge investigations, scientific findings, and forward-thinking strategies to inform improvements in public health while gaining valuable presentation experience. EIS officers engage in professional networking sessions, recognition ceremonies, and various learning opportunities.
Next Conference
Save the date for the 2027 Annual EIS Conference!
April 12–15, 2027
The 2026 EIS Conference was held April 21–24, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit the EIS conference platform to browse the 2026 agenda-at-a-glance and register to watch recorded sessions. Visit the 2026 Abstracts-at-a-Glance web page to search abstracts by topic and geographic location.
The 2026 conference featured the disease detectives of CDC's EIS, who presented their scientific investigations, analytic work, and public health actions. The conference also included scientific presentations by Laboratory Leadership Service officers, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Applied Epidemiology fellows, and residents from CDC's global Field Epidemiology Training Program.
Alexander D. Langmuir Lecture
The Langmuir Lecture is the preeminent public health lecture in the United States. First given in 1972, this lecture continues to be a highlight of the annual EIS Conference. The lecture is named for Alexander D. Langmuir, MD, MPH (1910–1993), a public health visionary and leader who established the Epidemiology Program at what was then called the Communicable Disease Center in 1949. Dr. Langmuir remained as CDC's chief epidemiologist until his retirement in 1970. Notably, Dr. Langmuir founded EIS, established national disease surveillance for the United States, and led the development of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report at CDC. Learn more about Dr. Langmuir and Epidemiology at CDC.
This year's Langmuir Lecture featured EIS alumni and CDC staff who reminded attendees that EIS and LLS are defined not only by science, but by the people who act, the outbreaks that challenge, and the connections that make lasting change possible.
- Danielle Sharpe, EIS class of 2022, shared her journey from an ordinary upbringing in rural South Georgia to an unexpected encounter that opened the door to a career in public health. She highlighted how a single moment, and a single mentor, can transform a life's trajectory. Her story emphasized that success is built not only on technical skills, but also on mentorship, seizing unexpected opportunities, and cultivating collaboration, resilience, and persistence in the face of challenge.
- Julie Thompson, EIS class of 2023, and Maureen Ty, LLS class of 2021, demonstrated the impact of public health storytelling through a multi-state melioidosis outbreak. They highlighted the complexities of investigating a rare and deadly disease with no clear travel link, the emotional challenges of working with affected families, and the collaboration required across epidemiology, laboratory science, and multiple agencies. Their presentation underscored how these high-stakes, real-world investigations not only reveal the realities of outbreak response but also motivate and sustain the next generation of public health professionals.
- Victor Eboh, EIS class of 2017, and CDC Scientist Ben Dahl recounted their experiences responding to Ebola outbreaks. They emphasized the value of connections across cohorts of EIS officers and staff working together to respond to public health emergencies. These lasting connections are invaluable for CDC's response capacity and also professionally and personally rewarding for EIS officers and staff. Together, their experiences illustrate that effective outbreak response extends beyond science and medicine, relying equally on trust, communication, and human connection.
The 2026 Langmuir Lecture video recording will be available on this web page in the coming weeks. Please continue to check back for updates.
To see summaries of lectures from previous years, visit the CDC archives page.
Awards
Alexander D. Langmuir Prize Manuscript Award
This award recognizes a current EIS officer or recent alumnus for excellence in a written report or an epidemiologic investigation or study.
2026 recipient: Julia Bennett, PhD, MSPH (EIS 2024) – RSV Prevention Products and Severe RSV-Associated Disease Among Infants
Learn more about this award and past winners.
Anne Schuchat Distinguished Friend of EIS Award
This award recognizes an individual for valued contributions that have made an important difference to the health, welfare, and happiness of EIS officers and the EIS Program. The award honors the mentorship and steadfast devotion of former CDC Principal Deputy Director and EIS alumnus, Anne Schuchat.
2026 recipients: Officer David Rose (awarded posthumously) and Sammy Jackson
Learn more about this award and past winners.
David J. Sencer Scholarship Award
The David J. Sencer Scholarship Award fund was established by the EIS Alumni Association to provide travel scholarships to potential Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) applicants to attend the EIS Conference each year.
2026 recipients: Kevin Blade, Alana Ganz, Shilpi Misra, Roberto Maldonado, Anya Gruber
Learn more about this award and past winners.
Director's Award for Excellence in Epidemiology and Public Health Response
2026 recipient: Colombia Field Epidemiology Training Program.
Learn more about this award and past winners.
Donald C. Mackel Memorial Award
This award recognizes a current EIS officer for the oral presentation that best exemplifies the effective application of a combined epidemiology and laboratory approach to an investigation or study.
2026 recipient: Katie Lee, PhD (EIS 2024)
Learn more about this award and past winners.
Iain R.B. Hardy Memorial Award
This award recognizes a current EIS officer or alumnus who has made an outstanding contribution to the control of vaccine-preventable diseases.
2026 recipients: Anna N. Chard, PhD, MPH (EIS 2019) and Jonathan Steinberg, MPH, BSN (EIS 2019)
Learn more about this award and past winners.
J. Virgil Peavy Memorial Award
This award recognizes a current EIS officer for the oral presentation that best exemplifies the effective and innovative application of statistics and epidemiologic methods in an investigation or study.
2026 recipient: Adiba Hassan, PhD, MSPH (EIS 2024)
Learn more about this award and past winners.
James H. Steele Veterinary Public Health Award
This award recognizes a current EIS officer or alumnus who has made outstanding contributions in the investigation, control, or prevention of zoonotic diseases or animal-related human health problems.
2026 recipient: AJ Beron, PhD, MPH (EIS 2022)
Learn more about this award and past winners.
Jeffrey P. Koplan Award for Excellence in Scientific Presentation
Presented during International Night, hosted by the Field Epidemiology Training Program, this award recognizes a current EIS officer with the scientific poster presentation that most effectively emphasizes the results of an investigation and its impact on public health.
2026 recipient: No award given this year.
Learn more about this award and past winners.
Mitch Singal Excellence in Occupational and Environmental Health Award
This award recognizes a current EIS officer who gave an oral presentation that best exemplifies the effective application of public health epidemiology to an investigation in the area of occupational or environmental health.
2026 recipient: Emilia Pawlowski, PhD (EIS 2024)
Learn more about this award and past winners.
Outstanding Poster Presentation Award
This award is presented to a current EIS officer for the poster that best exemplifies scientific content, including originality, study design and analysis; public health impact; and presentation effectiveness.
2026 recipient: No award given this year.
Paul C. Schnitker International Health Award
This award recognizes a current EIS officer or alumnus who has made a significant contribution to international public health.
2026 recipients: Thomas McHale, MD (EIS 2024) and Hailey Whitmire, PharmD, MBA, MPH (EIS 2024)
Learn more about this award and past winners.
Philip S. Brachman Award
This award recognizes excellence in teaching epidemiology to EIS officers.
2026 recipient: Emily Jentes, PhD, MPH (EIS 2008)
Learn more about this award and past winners.
Shalon M. Irving Health Equity Award
This award recognizes a current or former EIS officer's outstanding contributions to health equity and racial disparities research.
2026 recipients: Izraelle McKinnon, PhD, MPH (EIS 2022) and Shawn Thomas, PhD, MPH (EIS 2023)
Learn more about this award and past winners.
Stephen B. Thacker Excellence in Mentoring Award
This award recognizes an individual who inspires the EIS community and exhibits unwavering commitment to the EIS program, officers, and alumni through demonstrated excellence in applied epidemiology training, mentoring, and building public health capacity.
2026 recipient: Douglas Thoroughman, PhD (EIS 1996)
Learn more about this award and past winners.
William H. Foege Award
Presented as the highest honor during International Night, hosted by the Field Epidemiology Training Program, this award is presented to the best oral presentation.
2026 recipient: Arzoo Mersham, MD (EIS India)