Skip to main content
Home2027 Conference
SAR 2027 International Research Conference

SAR International Research Conference · 2027

From Needles
to Networks

Advancing Whole Person Health Through Acupuncture and Traditional East Asian Medicine

Primary co-sponsors: Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (VUIM), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), and the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

WhenApril 29 – May 2, 2027
WhereLord Baltimore Hotel · Baltimore, MD
FormatIn-person & Hybrid / Online Access
Learn More

Conference Theme

Advancing Whole Person Health through mechanistic science, multisystem research, and real-world clinical translation.

The Society for Acupuncture Research brings together researchers, clinicians, educators, and data scientists for its preeminent international conference — a forum for new science, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based innovation in acupuncture and Traditional East Asian Medicine.

30+
Years of SAR Conferences
20+
Countries Represented
300+
Expected Attendees
4
Days of Programming

About the Conference

A Critical Moment for Whole Person Health Research

"Approximately 60% of Americans suffer at least one chronic condition — and 90% of the nation's $4.5 trillion in healthcare spending goes to individuals with chronic and mental health conditions."

Chronic disease burdens demand approaches that address interconnected systems rather than isolated symptoms. Acupuncture and Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) have long centered whole person care — attending to physical, psychological, and environmental dimensions simultaneously. Yet research has largely focused on single-symptom outcomes.

SAR 2027 directly addresses this gap. By applying a Whole Person Health (WPH) framework across all conference programming, we advance the science of how acupuncture and TEAM affect interconnected body systems — and how those effects translate into durable, system-wide health restoration.

The conference also provides a showcase for TARA (the Topological Atlas and Repository for Acupoint Research), a landmark NIH-funded resource offering an open-access web-based portal and database integrating acupoint ontology, human body atlases, and a searchable database of acupoint-stimulation physiological response data.

A hybrid format ensures global access, with in-person and online participation options — reducing barriers for clinicians in private practice and international attendees.

Scientific Program

Three Plenary Symposia

Each symposium features 20-minute presentations from leading researchers, followed by interactive panel discussions exploring broader clinical and scientific implications.

01

Clinical Studies of Whole Person Health

Presenting innovative clinical studies that bridge the gap between acupuncture practice — centered on salutogenesis and health restoration — and research that has historically focused on disease and symptom management. We will have an interactive discussion on the topic of how to define and measure health. Featured presentations include acupuncture in sepsis and acupuncture or self-acupressure in interstitial lung disease. Chaired by Drs. Helene Langevin and Lisa Taylor-Swanson.

02

Mechanistic Understanding of Whole Person Change

Bringing together leaders in systems biology, neuroimaging, and integrative health to explore how multisystem frameworks — including HuBMAP, the Whole Person Physiome, and the TARA acupoint atlas — can be integrated to accelerate translation from discovery to clinical application. Focuses on data harmonization and methodological innovation. Chaired by Drs. Helene Langevin and Vitaly Napadow.

03

Artificial Intelligence: Connecting Data Science with Human-Centered Care

Exploring how AI can bridge advanced data analysis with compassionate, patient-centered care in acupuncture and TEAM research — including AI-driven pattern recognition in electronic records, physiological mechanism mapping in the TARA project, and AI-assisted literature synthesis for oncology care settings. Chaired by Dr. Jun Mao and Sandro Graca.

Keynote Speakers

Opening the Field

Two distinguished keynote addresses frame the conference's scientific vision, connecting whole person health research to both its biological foundations and its policy implications.

Opening Keynote

Dr. Helene Langevin

An overview of Whole Person Health with applications to acupuncture and Traditional East Asian Medicine research — setting the conceptual and scientific framework for the conference.

Featured Keynote

Dr. Patricia M. Herman

The application of Whole Person Health approaches to health economics and policy analysis — bridging the science of integrative care to its real-world implementation and policy context.

Conference Highlights

Beyond the Podium

SAR 2027 is designed for connection, mentorship, and translation — not just presentation.

◆

Innovation Tournament

A clinician crowdsourcing challenge bridges the research-practice gap. Practitioners' insights are ranked by researchers and funders, with the winning idea receiving on-site SAR mentorship to launch a clinically informed research or quality improvement project.

◆

GLO-IMPACT Oncology Panel

A dedicated panel for the GLObal IMPlementation of Acupuncture Cancer Therapy program, highlighting SAR's commitment to dissemination and implementation research, featuring MSK-developed advanced oncology acupuncture training.

◆

Junior Investigator Mentorship

Structured mentorship opportunities throughout the conference, including "office hours" with senior SAR board members, breakfast round tables for junior investigators and emerging researchers, and dedicated networking with international leaders in acupuncture and TEAM research.

◆

Pre- & Post-Conference Practitioner Workshops

Sessions tailored for clinicians bookend the main conference: research literacy reviews before, and practical application workshops after — covering how to translate research findings into patient communication, blog content, and clinical practice.

◆

Member-Initiated Symposia

At least three additional symposium slots showcase exemplary acupuncture and TEAM research proposed by the broader community, with topics and speakers selected by the Program Committee through open submission.

◆

CEU Credits

Continuing education units will be applied for through the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM) and the California Acupuncture Board, supporting licensure renewal for practicing acupuncturists.

Conference Schedule

Four Days, April 29 – May 2

The conference moves from clinical science to mechanisms to innovation — concluding with hands-on workshops for practitioners and emerging researchers.

Apr 29
Thursday
8:00amWorkshop 1: TARA
10:00amBeverage Break & Networking with Exhibitors
10:15amSIG Meetings
12:00pmLunch on your own
1:00pmNetworking with Exhibitors
1:30pmWelcome
2:00pmKeynote 1: Helene Langevin
3:00pmJunior Researcher Data Blitz
3:30pmJunior Researcher Panel: Emerging Pathways in Science
4:30pmBeverage Break & Networking with Exhibitors
5:00pmSymposium 1
6:30pmPoster Reception 1 & Networking with Exhibitors
Apr 30
Friday
7:00amMentoring Session 1 (Roundtables)
8:00amGlobal Ambassadors Symposium
9:00amRoundtable Discussion
10:00amBeverage Break & Networking with Exhibitors
10:30amSymposium 2
12:00pmLunch on your own
1:00pmNetworking with Exhibitors
1:30pmMember Symposia 1 & 2 (concurrent)
3:00pmOral Presentations: Clinical & Basic Science (concurrent tracks)
4:00pmGLO-IMPACT
5:00pmPoster Reception 2 & Networking with Exhibitors
7:30pmGala Dinner & Dancing
May 1
Saturday
7:00amMentoring Session 2 (Roundtables)
8:00amKeynote 2: Patricia Herman
9:00amBeverage Break
9:15amMember Symposia 3 & 4 (concurrent)
10:45amBreak
11:00amMember Symposia 5 & 6 (concurrent)
12:30pmLunch on your own
1:30pmNetworking with Exhibitors
2:00pmSymposium 3
3:30pmBeverage Break & Networking with Exhibitors
4:00pmOral Presentations: Clinical & Basic Science (concurrent tracks)
5:00pmRoundtable Results
6:00pmClosing Remarks & Awards Ceremony
May 2
Sunday
8:00amWorkshops 2 & 3 (concurrent)
10:00amBeverage Break
10:15amWorkshops 4 & 5 (concurrent)

Venue & Travel

Lord Baltimore Hotel

DatesThursday, April 29 – Sunday, May 2, 2027
HotelLord Baltimore Hotel
Baltimore, Maryland
AirportBaltimore/Washington International (BWI)
A few miles from the conference hotel
FormatIn-person attendance + hybrid live-stream access for virtual participants worldwide
LodgingConference hotel room block available at group rate; alternative accommodations nearby
ChildcareIf you have childcare needs, you may indicate this during registration and we will follow up with information about local options for you to arrange independently. Private lactation rooms are available at the hotel. Children are welcome throughout the conference.

For full travel details including airport information, ground transportation, hotel booking link, and things to do in Baltimore, visit our Travel & Hotel page.

Program Committee

Organized by SAR

The Society for Acupuncture Research is a 501(c)3 nonprofit advancing and disseminating scientific research in acupuncture and TEAM since 1993. SAR 2027 is led by co-chairs and the executive committee:

Lisa J. Taylor-Swanson, PhD, LAc, Dipl OM (NCBAHM)

Co-Chair, Program Committee · Co-President, SAR

College of Nursing, University of Utah · Salt Lake City, UT

Jun J. Mao, MD, MSCE

Co-Chair, Program Committee · Co-President, SAR

Integrative Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · New York, NY

Laura Triplett

Executive Director, SAR · Co-Chair, Fundraising

Society for Acupuncture Research

Vitaly Napadow, PhD, LAc

Program Committee Member

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital & Martinos Center, Harvard Medical School · Boston, MA

Richard Harris, PhD, LAc

Program Committee Member

Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, UC Irvine · Irvine, CA

Molly Candon, PhD

Program Committee Member · Innovation Tournament Lead

Penn Center for Mental Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

Helene Langevin, MD

Program Committee Member

Osher Center for Integrative Health, University of Vermont

Claudia Witt, MD, MBA

Program Committee Member

Professor, Complementary and Integrative Digital Health, Institute for Primary Care, University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich

John Yoo, MBA

Program Committee Member

Chief Executive Officer, Virginia University of Integrative Medicine

F. Afua Bromley, DACM

Program Committee Member

Co-chair, NCCAOM & ASA Cultural Competence Task Force · Adjunct Professor, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences · St. Louis, MO

Hongjin Li, PhD, BSN, FAAN

Program Committee Member

 

Lixing Lao, PhD

Program Committee Member

Professor and President, Virginia University of Integrative Medicine

Primary co-sponsors: Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (VUIM), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), and the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Join Us in Baltimore

Registration & Abstract Submissions Opening Soon

Abstract submissions open in September 2026. Early registration and travel award opportunities will be announced to SAR's mailing list. Sign up to receive updates.

Subscribe to Updates
info @ acupunctureresearch.org