20th McGowan Institute Scientific Retreat
March 9-11, 2021
The 2021 McGowan Institute Scientific Retreat will by virtual format.
To register for the retreat, please click here.
To view the abstracts for the poster sessions, please click here.
Program Outline
Printable copy of the retreat schedule and zoom links available here.
Tuesday, March 9th, 2021 – Cell and Gene Therapy
12:00-12:45
Trainee Event/Networking
Roundtable Discussion Academic Entrepreneurship
Dr. Morgan Fedorchak, Assistant Professor, Departments of Ophthalmology, Chemical Engineering, and Clinical & Translational Sciences
Dr. Kacey Marra, Professor, Departments of Plastic Surgery and Bioengineering
Achieving translational impact of biomedical research often involves significant efforts outside the laboratory. Many times, this involves the creation of a new business venture to bring a new technology from the benchtop to a clinical reality. Come discuss academic entrepreneurship with two award winning scientist-entrepreneurs who have founded companies based on their research.
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/97858319433
Meeting ID: 978 5831 9433
Passcode: 232532
Panel Discussion Training Grants and Trainee Success
Biomechanics In Regenerative Medicine T32:
Dr. Kris Noel Dahl, Professor, Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
Dr. Savio Woo, Distinguished Professor, Department of Bioengineering
Diann DeCenzo, Grant Administrator, Department of Bioengineering
Cellular Approaches to Tissue Engineering and Regeneration T32:
Dr Andy Duncan, Associate Professor, Departments of Pathology and Bioengineering
Dr. Samira Kiani, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology
Dr. Paul Monga, Professor, Departments of Pathology and Medicine
Dr. William Wagner, Distinguished Professor, Departments of Surgery, Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering; Director, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Cardiovascular Bioengineering Training Program T32:
Dr. Sanjeev Shroff, Distinguished Professor, Department of Bioengineering; Professor, Department of Medicine; Chair, Department of Bioengineering
Clinical and Translational Science Fellowship TL1:
Dr. Cecelia Yates, Associate Professor, Departments of Health Promotion & Development, Pathology, and Bioengineering
Bioengineering in Psychiatry T32:
Dr. Howard Aizenstein, Professor, Departments of Geriatric Psychiatry, Bioengineering
Dr. Tamir Ibraham, Professor, Department of Bioengineering
Training grants present a unique opportunity for trainees to develop research skills, receive interdisciplinary mentoring, and participate in unique educational programs. This panel will introduce multiple interdisciplinary and translational training grants available to graduate students in the School of Engineering and the Schools of Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. The program directors will introduce the training grants, the unique opportunities presented, and their views on student career development.
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/93879059612
Meeting ID: 938 7905 9612
Passcode: 124756
Introduction to Grant Writing – the Basic Dos and Don’ts of Proposal Preparation
Dr. Julie Myers-Irvin, Grants Developer, Swanson School of Engineering
This talk is designed to introduce trainees to the basics of grant writing, provide tips for appropriate writing and presentation, and discuss some of the most common pitfalls to avoid.
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/93238319733
Meeting ID: 932 3831 9733
Passcode: 598465
1:00-1:45
State of the Institute/Retreat Kickoff
William Wagner, PhD
Professor, Surgery, Bioengineering, and Chemical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh
Director, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/95007873463
Meeting ID: 950 0787 3463
Passcode: 550126
2:00-2:45
Keynote Speaker
David Brindley, PhD
Managing Partner, Biolacuna
Chief Operating Officer, Rational Vaccines, Inc.
Principal, Thiel Capital LLC
Senior Research Fellow, Healthcare Translation, University of Oxford
“A Decade of Regenerative Medicine: Never Look Backwards or You’ll Fall Down the Stairs”
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/98851527570
Meeting ID: 988 5152 7570
Passcode: 195140
Faculty Speakers
3:00-3:20
Samira Kiani, MD
Associate Professor, Liver Research Center, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh
“CRISPR-Based Epigenetic Therapies to Control Host Immunity”
3:20-3:40
Elizabeth Wayne, PhD
TED Fellow
Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
“Using Macrophages for Gene and Drug Delivery”
3:40-4:00
Michael Hufford, PhD
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of LyGenesis, Inc.
“LyGenesis: Crossing the Chasm between Academic Discovery and Clinical Stage Biotech Company”
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/96477280644
Meeting ID: 964 7728 0644
Passcode: 744344
Poster Session
4:15-5:00
Trainee Posters Presentations
View abstracts here.
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/99350476551
Meeting ID: 993 5047 6551
Passcode: 375075
Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 – Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials
12:00-12:45
Trainee Event/Networking
Roundtable Discussion Persevering Through A Pandemic
Dr. Seth Young, Psychological Services Clinician, University of Pittsburgh Wellness Center
This round table discussion will explore the impacts of the current pandemic, political climate, race relations, and other challenges, on student productivity and mental health. In particular, we will discuss are some of the new issues that arising given this unique situation and what resources exist for students to help handle these issues and resolve conflicts. Dr. Seth Young, PhD, Psychological Services Clinician, University of Pittsburgh Wellness Center will guide the discussion.
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/97858319433
Meeting ID: 978 5831 9433
Passcode: 232532
1:00-2:00
Space Station Lecture/Panel – Life Science Research in Microgravity
Moderator: Marc Giulianotti, PhD, Program Director, International Space Station Laboratory
Marc Giulianotti, PhD
Program Director, International Space Station Laboratory
“ISSNL’s Vision for Accelerating Life Science Research in Microgravity”
Arun Sharma, PhD
Senior Research Fellow
Cedar-Sinai Medical Center
“The Use of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Enabling Therapeutic Applications”
Nicole Wagner, PhD, CEO
LAMDA Vision
“Protein Based Artificial Retina for Restoring Vison”
Anjali Gupta, PhD MBA
Business Development Life Science Lead In-Space Research & Manufacturing
Axiom Space, Inc.
“Humanity’s Next Chapter: Axiom Station as a Platform for Discovery & Innovation”
Q&A
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/93711542340
Meeting ID: 937 1154 2340
Passcode: 856584
Keynote Speaker
2:15-3:00
Cherie Stabler, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida
Chair-Elect TERMIS
“Engineering Bioactive Materials for Enhancing Cell-Based Treatments for Type 1 Diabetes”
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/97261237286
Meeting ID: 972 6123 7286
Passcode: 621129
Faculty Speakers
3:15-3:35
Julie Phillippi, PhD
Associate Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Bioengineering
Director, Postdoctoral Research, Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh
“The Case of the Curious Pericyte: Adventitial ECM Hydrogels Influence Pericyte Behaviors via Integrin and Growth Factor Dependent-Mechanisms”
3:35-3:55
Katrina Knight, PhD
Magee Womens Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh
“Pore Collapse and Mesh Wrinkling: A Pathway to Mesh Complications In Vivo”
3:55-4:15
Adam Feinberg, PhD
Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
“FRESH 3D Bioprinting Complex Tissues and the Path Towards Commercialization”
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/95917086104
Meeting ID: 959 1708 6104
Passcode: 424963
Poster Sessions
4:30-5:15
Trainee Posters Presentations
View abstracts here.
Session A
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/92396990300
Meeting ID: 923 9699 0300
Passcode: 891966
Session B
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/91710243288
Meeting ID: 917 1024 3288
Passcode: 757872
Thursday, March 11th, 2021 – Medical Devices and Computational Modeling
12:00-12:45
Trainee Event/Networking
Workshop – Communicating with Your Mentor: How to Articulate What You Need
Dr. April Dukes, Faculty and Future Faculty Program Director, Engineering Education Resource Center, Swanson School of Engineering
The development of a mutually beneficial relationship between mentors and mentees relies on effective two-way communication. Mentors rely on their mentees to speak up when there is a problem or if they need help. Mentees are often intimidated by the mentor-mentee power dynamic imbalance to speak openly to their mentors, especially at the start of the relationship. In this roundtable discussion, we will share strategies on how to overcome communication obstacles to successfully communicate and clearly share your expectations and needs with your mentor.
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/97858319433
Meeting ID: 978 5831 9433
Passcode: 232532
Health Science Communications: Communicating Medical Research to the Media and Public
Dr. Ana Gorelova, Science Writer and Media Relations Manager, UPMC
What is media and what can scientists do to better communicate their research to a wide audience? In this open discussion we will talk about strategies that you can use to get non-scientists – journalists and public alike – excited about your work.
You can find examples of her work at UPMC here, here, and here.
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/92040598798
Meeting ID: 920 4059 8798
Passcode: 407813
Poster Session
1:00-1:45
Trainee Poster Presentations
View abstracts here.
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/93386020742
Meeting ID: 933 8602 0742
Passcode: 616774
Faculty Speakers
2:00-2:20
Ruben Zamora, PhD
Research Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh
“Dynamics of Systemic Inflammation as a Function of Developmental Stage in Pediatric Acute Liver Failure (PALF)”
2:20-2:40
Ryan Orizondo, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh
“Design and Hemocompatibility Optimization of a Long-Term Artificial Lung”
2:40-3:00
Jeremy Kimmel, PhD
Vice President, New Technology, ALung
“ALung Technologies – Challenges and Opportunities for Medical Device Commercialization”
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/91492691444
Meeting ID: 914 9269 1444
Passcode: 536293
3:00-4:30
Companion Session: FDA Pediatric Device Consortium Innovation Forum
“Biomaterial Challenges in Pediatric Prosthetic Heart Valve Development”
You must complete a separate registration to attend the Pediatric Device Innovators Forum. Please follow this link www.pdiforum.org to learn more about the forum and register.
3:00-4:30
| Panalist | Topic |
|---|---|
| Jonathan Chen, MD (Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery, CHOP) | Pediatric heart valve prostheses—Addressing unmet needs |
| William Wagner, PhD (Director, McGowan Institute, University of Pittsburgh) | New synthetic biomaterials for pediatric heart valves |
| Narendra Vyavahare, PhD, (Professor, Dept. of Bioengineering, Clemson University) | Preclinical development of a novel heart valve prosthesis for pediatrics |
| Martijn Cox, PhD (Chief Technology Officer, Xeltis) | Pediatric prosthetic heart valve trials in the US |
| Scott McNamee, PhD (Materials Engineer, Office of Compliance, CDRH, FDA) | Materials regulation for pediatric heart valves |
Keynote Speaker
4:45-5:30
Gary An, MD, FACS
Professor, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont
“Managing Biological Heterogeneity: Integrating Mechanistic Simulation and Machine Learning for Therapeutic Control Discovery”
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/96909875714
Meeting ID: 969 0987 5714
Passcode: 106087
Poster Session
To view the abstracts for the poster sessions, please click here.
Please watch this page for program updates and registration information
Program Committee:
Bryan Brown – Chair
Antonio D’Amore
Andy Duncan
Lauren Kokai
Yoram Vodovotz
Lainey Becker
Rebecca Bauroth
Patrick Cantini
Ande Marini
Reem Azar
John Murphy
Stanley Stachelek
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