Benjamin Ebert, MD, PhD • Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
“Therapeutic Targeting of Ubiquitin Ligases”

Dr. Ben Ebert is the Canellos Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Chair of Medical Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, and an Institute Member of the Broad Institute; outside his scientific interests, Ben is also a competitive cyclist and triathlete. His lab works on projects varying from the somatic mutations that drive clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminant potential (CHIP; a term that his group coined) to the genetics, biology, and clinical implications of myelodysplastic syndromes. Dr. Ebert will highlight novel therapies targeting the machinery of ubiquitin ligases and proteasomal degradation in catabolizing disease-related proteins.

George Church, PhD • Harvard Medical School
“Free Whole Genomes and New Technologies for In-Situ Omics”

Dr. George Church is Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Health Sciences and Technology at Harvard and MIT. He is Director of the U.S. Department of Energy Technology Center and Director of the National Institutes of Health Center of Excellence in Genomic Science. In 2012, he co-authored Regenesis: How Synthetic Biology Will Reinvent Nature and Ourselves (the NewScientist called it the "top science book" of the year), and champions open education and citizen science for synthetic biology and personal genomics. His group has developed technologies to synthesize whole genes and engineer whole genomes—far faster, more accurately, and with less cost than current methods. As lead of Synthetic Biology at the Wyss Institute, he oversees the directed evolution of molecules, polymers, and whole genomes to create new tools with applications in regenerative medicine and bio-production of chemicals. Dr. Church will illustrate new genomic technologies that can help to facilitate the next generation of “omics” investigation.

Pardis Sabeti, MD, DPhil • Broad Institute
“Outbreak Preemption and Response in the Genomic Age”

Dr. Pardis Sabeti is a computational geneticist whose work focuses on developing algorithms to detect genetic signatures of adaption in microbial pathogens and their human hosts. She is a member of the Broad Institute, and a Howard Hughes Investigator Professor at the Center for Systems Biology and Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and the Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease at the Harvard School of Public Health. She is also known as a rollerblading rock star scientist, was cited in 2015 as one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential people, and is the lead singer of the rock band Thousand Days. Dr. Sabeti will present an extremely topical discussion on the recognition and pre-emption of infectious disease outbreaks.

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Lokman Cevik - "Comparison of Different Segmentation Methods in OLIG2 Stained Low-Grade Glioma Images"

ABSTRACT #A103

Abstract Driven Short Talk
Amir Raeisi Nafchi - "The Correlations Between Autophagy and Herpesvirus and Their Interactions to Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease"

ABSTRACT # A104

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Adwitia Dey - "The Role of Long-Chain Fatty Acid Elongases in α-Synuclein Associated Neuropathology"

ABSTRACT # A100

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Anders Ohman - "Harnessing the Fetal Hepatocyte Proliferative Phenotype to Improve Liver Cell Transplantation"

ABSTRACT # A080

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Daniel Shao - "Loss of β-catenin Increases α-Naphthylisothiocyanate-Induced Mortality and Cholestatic Liver Injury"

ABSTRACT # A082

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Evan Delgado - "Overexpression of the Scaffolding Protein IQGAP1 Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Activating YAP1 Signaling"

ABSTRACT # A086

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (EST)

Trainee Advising Session

Gregory J. Tsongalis, PhD • Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health System
Living the Best of Both Worlds: Translating Science into Clinical Practice
This session will describe careers in the clinical/molecular diagnostic laboratories for PhD-trained scientists. PhD scientists working in the clinical setting perform sophisticated molecular tests, interpret results of these test to advise clinicians in the treatment of patients, and develop new molecular tests for various diagnostic applications. This session will be of interest to undergraduates, graduate/medical students, or postdoctoral fellows.

Lunch Session: Lunch with the Stars
Sponsored by the ASIP Career Development and Diversity Committee and the ASIP Education Committee

Mary-Elizabeth Patti, MD • Joslin Diabetes Center, Inc.
“Paternal Health and Intergenerational Transmission of Metabolic Disease Risk”

Emerging evidence indicates that parental health can influence the health of offspring via both traditional genetic factors (DNA sequence) as well as via environmental factors such as lifestyle, nutrition, and activity levels. The impact of environmental factors may be particularly important if experienced during development (i.e. during intrauterine life) or during early childhood. These same environmental exposures can also influence developing germ cells – thus generating a potential vicious cycle of intergenerational risk of disease. While many individuals are familiar with the concept that maternal health is a key influence on child health, emerging data also demonstrate that the father’s health can also influence the sperm epigenome and thus contribute to offspring health.

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Diana Toledo - "Regional COVID-19 Virus Evaluation in Recrement (RECOVER) Project for Wastewater-Based SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance in Northern New England"

ABSTRACT # A048

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Thibault Allain - "Short Term Consumption of Western Diet Increases the Severity of Giardia Infection in Association with Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis"

ABSTRACT # A053

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Sungjin Ko - "Highly Efficient Single-Domain Antibody Neutralization of Interleukin-6, the Factor at the Epicenter of Cytokine Storm in Acutely Ill COVID-19 Patients"

ABSTRACT # A056

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Roberto Mota Alvidrez - "Longitudinal In Vivo Atherosclerotic Disease Development in the apoE Deficient Zucker Rat"

ABSTRACT # A023

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Sathish Vasamsetti - "Heart Failure Induced Insulin Resistance Is Associated With Decreased Adipokines Production: Role of Impaired Adipogenesis"

ABSTRACT # A025

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Yao Gao - "Semaphorin-3F Inhibits Vascular Permeability During Acute Inflammation"

ABSTRACT # A070

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM (EST)

Trainee Advising Session

Richard N. Mitchell, MD, PhD • Brigham & Women's Hospital
Considering Medical School
Individuals who are interested in disease might pursue basic science research training (in graduate school) and/or clinical training in medical school. Medical school training provides students with an understanding of pathology, pathogenesis, and pathophysiology with a focus on patient care. It is not uncommon for PhD-trained scientists to pursue medical school to complete their training in pursuit of a career in translational research. This session will be of interest to undergraduates, graduate students, or postdoctoral fellows.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (EST)

Trainee Advising Session

Traci L. Parry, PhD • University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for Trainees: Your Plan for Success
To achieve success in a career focused on biomedical research, you need a plan. Individual development plans (IDPs) are now encouraged for individuals at all stages of career and when carefully constructed can lead to successful outcomes trainees and non-trainees alike. However, IDPs are critical for trainees and this session will outline how to develop a robust IDP to guide individuals moving through training. This session will be of interest to undergraduates, graduate/medical students, or postdoctoral fellows.

Joan Miller, MD • Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary
“From Bench to Bedside: The Development of Anti-VEGF Therapy in Ophthalmology”

The development and approval of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs for retinal diseases has completely changed the field of ophthalmology—improving vision outcomes and quality of life for millions of people around the world. In this lecture, we will we will revisit the pathway to the successful development of anti-VEGF therapies and discuss the hurdles and strategies needed to move potential therapies from bench to bedside.

Christina Lockwood, PhD, DABCC, DABMGG • University of Washington
“New and Emerging Opportunities and Consideration for Cell-Free DNA in Laboratory Medicine”

The earliest report of cell-free DNA in healthy individuals dates to the 1940s and it has been most widely adopted in medicine in assessing fetal risk of chromosomal abnormalities in pregnant women. In oncology, there are a variety of clinical applications for a minimally invasive blood test for DNA released from tumor cells. The increased adoption of targeted cancer therapies underscores the need to augment invasive tissue biopsies with alternative detection methods that rapidly monitor treatment response. In this lecture, we will review the clinical indications for cell-free DNA and discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with cell-free DNA testing in pregnancy and oncology.

Mark Puder, MD, PhD • Boston Children's Hospital
“Intestinal Failure Associated Liver Disease, A Laboratory and Clinical Approach”

Many children are unable to tolerate or absorb nutrients and require intravenous nutrition (parenteral nutrition). Parenteral nutrition contains sugar, amino acids, lipids, vitamins and trace elements. This nutrition is life-saving, however up to 60% of infants develop intestinal failure associated liver disease (parenteral nutrition associated liver disease) that was responsible for 1.4% of all deaths in children age 4 years and under. This disease was one of the main indications for liver and multivisceral transplants in children. At the time, the actual component(s) of the parenteral nutrition producing the liver disease was unknown. We will discuss the laboratory experiments to understand the etiology (lipids) and the pathway to FDA approval of alternative lipid emulsions in treating this often fatal disease.

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Anindya Dutta - "Hundreds ff Common Germline Variants Predict Cancer Progression In Thirty-Three Different Cancer Types And Will Be Useful For Precision Oncology"

ABSTRACT A016

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Kun Zhou - "A Novel Orally available Wnt-Pathway Inhibitor for the Treatment of Metastatic Cancers"

ABSTRACT A017

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Ethan LaRochelle - "Implementation of Next-Generation Sequencing Bioinformatics Pipeline for Solid Tumor Gene Panel"

ABSTRACT A018

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Sudarshan Bhattacharjee - "Role of Epsin and Dab2 in Trafficking of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor During Angiogenesis"

ABSTRACT # A024

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Sasha Smolgovsky - "Reduced Hypertrophic Cardiac Remodeling and Preserved Diastolic Function in T Cell-Deficient Mice in a Novel Mouse Model of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction"

ABSTRACT # A060

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Francisco Carrillo-Salinas - "Cardiac Pressure Overload Induces Gut Dysbiosis That Promotes T Cell Activation and Maladaptive Remodeling Downregulating the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Expression"

ABSTRACT # A027

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM (EST)

Trainee Advising Session

Morgan Preziosi, PhD • Chimeron Biotech
Transitioning from Academic Research to Biotech R&D
Non-academic and non-government research opportunities continue to expand at a rapid rate. Scientists are now employed in various commercial settings from small start-up biotech companies to large industrial operations. While the foundation for how research is conducted is the same between academic and commercial research settings, the objectives are often dramatically different. Likewise, the research environment and research teams will vary between these settings. This session will describe the experience of transitioning from academic research into the biotech setting, and will provide information on elements of training that will best equip an individual to pursue research in the biotech setting. This session will be of interest to undergraduates, graduate/medical students, or postdoctoral fellows.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (EST)

Trainee Advising Session

Veronica Contreras-Shannon, PhD • St. Mary's University
Summer Research Programs
Summer research programs are very important for undergraduates who plan to enter graduate school to pursue a PhD in some biomedical research discipline. For students who attend college at a research university, opportunities for summer research might be abundant. However, students attending smaller institutions lack this sort of on-campus research opportunities. Therefore, many larger institutions provide summer research programs to enable undergraduates to gain valuable experience before applying for or entering graduate school. This session will describe summer research opportunities and how students can access them. This session will be of primary interest to undergraduate students, but might also be of interest to graduate students or postdoctoral fellows who work in research laboratories that host summer students.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EST)

Trainee Advising Session

Andrew Duncan, PhD • University of Pittsburgh
When and How to Find a Post-Doc Laboratory
Postdoctoral training represents a final critical element in the preparation of an individual for a career in research, whether in academics, government, or industry. The postdoctoral training experience builds on graduate training and provides an opportunity for an individual to gain experience and expertise in a specific research area or focused on a specific research topic. Therefore, the selection of a host laboratory and research mentor for the postdoctoral training period is critical. This session will provide guidelines for when and how to identify the right mentor and laboratory for postdoctoral training. This session will be of most interest to graduate students who anticipate looking for a postdoctoral research opportunity in the near future.

Lunch Session: Pathology Career Pathway Networking
Sponsored by the ASIP Career Development and Diversity Committee and the ASIP Education Committee

Session Description: Seeking to transition into or learn more about the dynamic careers in the biotechnology industry? Thinking about the next steps in your pathology career? This networking session is designed to connect you with leading experts in the biotechnology field. Panelists were chosen from a vast array of companies (many local to the Boston area) and range from product sales and distribution to bench scientists to group leaders to company founders and CEOs.

This lunch session will function similar to a speed networking session where small groups will interact with the panelists for approximately 15 minutes in separate breakout rooms.  Feel free to ask questions or obtain career advice. This networking session is ideal for trainees at all levels including undergraduates, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, residents, and junior faculty.

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Veronica Azcutia - "Neutrophil Expressed CD47 Regulates CD11b/CD18-Dependent Neutrophil Transepithelial Migration in the Intestine In Vivo"

ABSTRACT # A031

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Rachel Gao - "Bile Acids Modulate Colonic MAdCAM-1 Expression in a Murine Model of Combined Cholestasis and Colitis"

ABSTRACT # A032

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Ruth Wang - "Butyrate Regulates the Actin-Binding Protein Synaptopodin to Promote Wound Healing and Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function"

ABSTRACT # A035

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Sophie Deharvengt - "Sequencing the Novel Coronavirus Using the Ion AmpliSeq™ SARS-CoV-2 Research Panel"

ABSTRACT # A093

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Imad Tarhoni - "Novel Autoantibodies Biomarkers Panel Test to Prognosticate Clinical Outcomes in Advanced-Stage NSCLC Patients Receiving Anti PD-1/-L1 Immunotherapy"

ABSTRACT # A064

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Ourania Parra - "Molecular Profiling of Two Unclassified Primary Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors"

ABSTRACT # A097

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM (EST)

Trainee Advising Session

Richard N. Mitchell, MD, PhD • Brigham & Women's Hospital
What’s up with an MD/PhD and Am I Competitive?
Individuals with both MD and PhD training have the opportunity to pursue careers that involve both clinical service and biomedical research, and/or are well prepared to pursue research that utilizes basic science research methods and approaches to address important problems related to human health and disease. Some people achieve MD-PhD training through separate programs and others through medical scientist training programs. In either case, individuals pursuing both degrees need to be competitive for acceptance into both medical school and graduate school. This session will provide guidelines for how individuals can prepare to pursue MD-PhD training and associated career opportunities. This session will be of interest to undergraduates, graduate/medical students, or postdoctoral fellows.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (EST)

Trainee Advising Session

Patricia D’Amore, PhD • Schepens Eye Research Institute/Harvard Medical School
How to Get the Most From Mentoring Relationships
Everyone needs good mentors to succeed in training and careers. The research mentor is particularly important to undergraduate, graduate student, and postdoctoral trainees who are learning to perform basic science research, gaining experience with research methods and approaches, and developing expertise in a specific research area. Mentors keep trainees focused and on-track. However, not all mentors are created equally and so there is a need to understand what to expect from mentors and to have strategies in place to ensure excellent mentoring, even if that requires multiple mentors. This session will be of interest to undergraduates, graduate/medical students, or postdoctoral fellows.

Panel Discussions - COVID-19 Updates from Frontline Experts

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Melinda Engevik - "Fusobacterium Nucleatum Metabolites and Outer Membrane Vesicles Drive Intestinal Inflammation in Vitro and In Vivo"

ABSTRACT # A030

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Joseph Lee - "Microbiota-sourced Purines Promote Gut Mucosal Wound Healing and Barrier Function"

ABSTRACT # A036

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Elena Fekete - "Mucosal Defenses Against Giardia duodenalis: A Role for PAR2"

ABSTRACT # A039

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Michael Thompson - "Maternal Obesogenic Diet Exposure Leads to Microbiome Associated Changes in Bile Acid Metabolism and Increased Cholestatic Liver Injury in Offspring"

ABSTRACT # A083

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Erik Butcher - "A Semi-Automated Multiparametric Pipeline for Mitochondrial Segmentation and Quantification to Evaluate Metabolic Dysregulation"

ABSTRACT # A109

Abstract-Driven Short Talk
Xichun Li - "Therapeutic Knockdown of RIPK1 Pathway Halts the Progression of Diet-Induced Obesity and Improves Insulin Resistance"

ABSTRACT # A073