DISCO: DISks in COntext
Understanding the influence of star-forming environments on
planet-forming disks
Understanding the influence of star-forming environments on
planet-forming disks
Traditionally, planet-forming disks were thought to evolve in isolation to form planetary systems like our Solar System. Recent studies, however, increasingly show that these disks instead evolve within complex and dynamic environments. External irradiation from massive stars, infall of fresh material from surrounding clouds, and perturbations from stellar flybys can significantly alter physical and compositional properties of planet-forming disks. However, the relative importance of these processes, and how they operate across different star-forming environments remains poorly understood.
This conference aims to synthesize emerging results from various observational facilities, including ALMA, JWST, VLA, and VLT, together with theoretical and numerical models, to place planet-forming disks firmly in their environmental context. By bringing together researchers working across observations and theory, we aim to identify key physical mechanisms impacting disk evolution and planet formation, and define priorities for future coordinated observing and modeling efforts.
Abstract submission opens: February 20, 2026
Abstract submission closes: April 30, 2026
Results annouced: May 15, 2026
Registration closes: TBD
Main conference: September 21 to 24, 2026
Greenbank trip (optional): September 25, 2026
Abstract submission form: https://forms.gle/qUmSHqcJY4HUKMNW8
Note: the final registration form will be open after abstract selection.
Jonathan Williams (University of Hawai'i, USA)
Giovanni Rosotti (University of Milan, Italy)
Aleksandra Kuznetsova (University of Connecticut, USA)
Dominique Segura-Cox (University of Rochester, USA)
Michael Küffmeier (Niels Bohr Institute, Denmark)
Olivier Berne (Université de Toulouse, France)
Nick Ballering (Space Science Institute, USA)
Megan Reiter (Rice University, USA)
Nicolás Cuello (Univ. Grenoble Alpes, France)
TBD
SOC:
Aashish Gupta (University of Virginia, USA)
Jane Huang (Columbia University, USA)
Thomas J. Haworth (Queen Mary University of London, UK)
Antonio Garufi (Istituto di Radioastronomia, INAF, Bologna, Italy)
Ryan Boyden (University of Virginia, USA)
Ryan Loomis (National Radio Astronomy Observatory, USA)
Ilse Cleeves (University of Virginia, USA)
LOC:
Aashish Gupta (University of Virginia, USA)
Ryan Loomis (National Radio Astronomy Observatory, USA)
Ilse Cleeves (University of Virginia, USA)
Ryan Boyden (University of Virginia, USA)
Noshin Yesmin (University of Virginia, USA)
Patrick Sheehan (National Radio Astronomy Observatory, USA)
Beatrice Kulterer (University of Virginia, USA)
Simran Kaur (University of Virginia, USA)
National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO)
520 Edgemont Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
disksincontext@gmail.com