A Welcome from the Chair

Dear colleagues, innovators, and friends,

As we look toward HAI 2027, I find myself returning to one of the clearest lessons from our most recent meeting: when the science moves quickly, thoughtful scientific exchange becomes even more important.

We will gather again at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan, January 13–15, 2027, for the 19th edition of HAI and our third consecutive meeting in Puerto Rico. San Juan has become more than a setting for HAI. It has given our community room to think, question, debate, and connect, while preserving the concentrated character that has defined this meeting from the beginning.

The field continues to evolve rapidly. Imaging is increasingly intertwined with fluid biomarkers, neuropathology, clinical research, therapeutic development, and the difficult questions surrounding diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response. These connections are reshaping not only what we study, but how evidence must be interpreted across disciplines.

HAI 2027 will reflect that evolution. We are refining the scientific program to build stronger bridges among technical advances, neuropathology, and clinical applications. At the same time, we remain firmly committed to the structure that makes HAI distinctive: a focused, single-track meeting; brief, data-driven presentations; substantial time for moderated discussion; posters positioned at the center of the scientific program; and direct exchange among academic, clinical, and industry colleagues.

The program will once again be shaped by peer-reviewed abstracts and by the questions emerging from the field itself. We want to hear about the newest findings, but also the unresolved problems, methodological tensions, unexpected results, and evidence that challenges prevailing assumptions. HAI is at its best when the discussion does not end with the final slide.

We will also continue investing in the next generation of investigators through travel scholarships, structured mentoring, and meaningful opportunities to present and discuss their work. In 2027, separate awards will recognize outstanding podium and poster presentations, reinforcing the importance of both forms of scientific contribution.

HAI has never measured its success by size. Its value lies in focus, candor, and participation. It is a meeting where questions are expected, disagreement is productive, and ideas are given the time and scrutiny they deserve.

Whether you have joined us since the earliest days of HAI or will be attending for the first time, I invite you to bring your strongest work, your most difficult questions, and your willingness to engage openly with colleagues across the field.

I look forward to welcoming you back to San Juan.