AUA2026 History Exhibit spotlights urology in extreme environments
At AUA2026, the annual History Exhibit invites attendees to look beyond the clinic and into some of the most unforgiving environments on—and off—the planet. Explorations: Urology in Extreme Environments examines how urology and medicine have supported human survival in settings where the margin for error is razor thin, from outer space to deserts, polar regions, ocean depths, mountains and jungles.
At the heart of the exhibit is a compelling look at space travel, where astronauts rely on carefully engineered physiologic adaptations to function in microgravity. These challenges, ranging from fluid shifts to kidney stone risk, highlight the critical role of urologic insight in enabling long-duration missions. But the exhibit doesn’t stop at space. It broadens the lens to show how similar principles of innovation and adaptability apply across Earth’s harshest terrains.
The concept is clear: Exploration demands ingenuity. That same spirit has long defined urology, a specialty known for pushing technological boundaries through advances in laparoscopy, endourology, robotics and minimally invasive surgery. In many ways, the field mirrors the explorers it celebrates: constantly evolving to meet new challenges.
Designed to educate, entertain and inspire, the exhibit offers more than just historical perspective. Attendees can view a space suit like those worn during the Apollo era, attend daily talks from leading urologists and browse a selection of themed memorabilia at the museum store.
The exhibit will be on display at the AUA History Booth (#2741) in the Science & Technology Hall throughout the meeting. Attendees are also encouraged to add the History of Urology Forum to their schedules, taking place 1-5 p.m. May 15 in Room 143B.
For those interested in diving deeper into the specialty’s past, additional exhibits—including See. Do. Teach., Developing Urologists and Battlefield Urology—are available online through the AUA history museum.
Whether you’re drawn by curiosity, clinical insight or a love of discovery, Explorations offers a fresh perspective on how urology continues to adapt at the frontiers of human experience.
