75th Annual Meeting: Structure is Forever

The 75th Annual Meeting of the ACA—held July 18–23, 2025 at The Westin Chicago Lombard—brought together a wonderful blend of science, community, and inspiration. From the moment attendees arrived, the energy was unmistakable. The week opened with hands-on workshops covering biophysics for structural biologists, cryo-EM and crystallographic structure solution, visualization tools, and best practices in data deposition and validation—an ideal launch point for both seasoned researchers and newcomers.

One of the major scientific highlights was the 2025 Keynote from Stephen K. Burley, M.D., D.Phil., whose lecture, “RCSB Protein Data Bank: A research resource for mitigation of climate change and food insecurity,” illustrated how open structural data is driving solutions to some of today’s most urgent global challenges. Dr. Burley explored how the PDB enables advances in climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable biotechnology, and molecular insights that support planetary and human health, underscoring the ongoing importance of FAIR data, interdisciplinary collaboration, and emerging AI/ML tools in shaping the future of structural science. 

Community-building was woven throughout the meeting. The Mentor/Mentee Program and YSIG Mixer offered welcoming spaces for students and early-career scientists to connect with experienced crystallographers and explore career pathways. Poster sessions and informal gatherings extended these conversations, sparking collaboration and new friendships. This year also saw the continued success of the ACA’s #IamRemarkable workshops, which encouraged participants to recognize and celebrate their achievements in the workplace and beyond. And together, we paused to honor the memory of George Sheldrick, reflecting on his extraordinary legacy and the profound impact he leaves on generations of crystallographers.
A special off-site highlight was the field trip to the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory. Attendees toured world-class beamlines, met with scientists pushing the boundaries of materials, chemical, and life-science research, and gained a behind-the-scenes look at the large-scale scientific infrastructure that enables transformative discoveries. For many—especially students and early-career participants—it was an unforgettable, firsthand encounter with one of the world’s premier synchrotron facilities.

The meeting also celebrated remarkable achievements across the crystallographic community. Dmitry Lyumkis received the Margaret C. Etter Early Career Award for his transformative cryo-EM research, including high-resolution structures of viral protein complexes and insights into drug action and resistance. Craig M. Brown was honored with the Robert Bau Neutron Diffraction Award for advancing neutron-scattering methods that deepen our understanding of energy-relevant materials. Chris D. Malliakas received the Fankuchen Memorial Award for his mastery in solving complex crystallographic problems—from modulated structures to twinning—and for his dedication as a teacher and mentor. The Kenneth N. Trueblood Award recognized Branton J. Campbell and Harold T. Stokes for their field-defining contributions to computational crystallography and for developing the ISOTROPY Software Suite, an indispensable resource for researchers worldwide. Together, these awardees exemplify the creativity, rigor, and collaborative spirit that propel our field forward—and set an inspiring tone as we turn our attention to IUCr2026 in Calgary.

Scientific sessions throughout the week showcased breakthroughs across the discipline, from serial and multicrystal approaches to membrane-protein structural biology and AI-enhanced multimethod research. The exhibit hall was once again a lively hub, with industry partners sharing the latest instrumentation, detectors, and software. Coffee breaks, hallway conversations, and evening meetups carried that energy forward, reflecting the vibrant and supportive community that defines ACA meetings.
The week concluded with a festive celebration aboard the Spirit of Chicago, where attendees enjoyed awards, dancing, camaraderie, and a stunning skyline send-off to an exceptional meeting.

With ACA2025 now wrapped, excitement is already building for IUCr2026 in Calgary. Many sessions and conversations throughout the week looked ahead to next year’s global gathering—where the international crystallographic community will reunite on an even larger and more ambitious stage.