2026 International Forum on COVID Rehabilitation Research

Forum Information

Overview and Aims of the Forum

The aim of the Forum is to:

(1) facilitate knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) focused on research priorities related to Long COVID and rehabilitation research, clinical practice and service delivery among people living with Long COVID and other chronic episodic conditions, researchers, clinicians, educators, representatives of community organizations, and policy-makers in Canada and internationally;

(2) establish new research and clinical partnerships in Long COVID and rehabilitation internationally; and

(3) foster mentorship and training in Long COVID and rehabilitation clinical practice and research.

Program at a Glance

Click here to view the Program at a Glance.

Poster Abstract Submissions

Poster Abstract Guidelines

Click here for Poster Abstract Guidelines

Poster Abstract Submission Form

Click here to access the poster abstract submission form. Abstracts are due by Friday January 30, 2026.

2026 Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Rob Wüst

Rob Wüst is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. His research group studies skeletal and cardiac muscle metabolism and function. His interest includes skeletal muscle adaptations after bed rest, in collaboration with astronauts from ESA and NASA and after acute and chronic inflammation. Recent work focuses on skeletal muscle abnormalities and exercise responses in patients with Long COVID and ME/CFS, which has led to a lot of international media attention. To better understand how muscle metabolism changes under different conditions, human muscle biopsies, mouse models, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy and various cellular and molecular techniques are used. The research is funded by ZonMw, and various European and American (patient) organizations for diabetes, Long COVID and ME/CFS.

Acknowledgements:

The 2026 International Forum on COVID Rehabilitation Research and the Rehabilitation Science Research Network for COVID are funded by the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.