Pathobiology for Investigators, Students, and Academicians

Young Investigators Virtual Meeting

October 27-29, 2026 | 12:00 - 6:00 PM (ET)

PISA 2026 Meeting Program

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Jonathan HomeisterWelcome to PISA 2026
12:00 – 12:15 PM
Jonathon Homeister, MD, PhD, ASIP President
University of North Carolina

Anna TinglerOpening Remarks
Anna Tingler, BS, PISA 2026 Co-Chair
Medical University of South Carolina


Cole HladikCole Hladik, PhD, MSc, PISA 2026 Co-Chair
University of Oklahoma Health Campus

Session 1:  Metabolic Stress & Regenerative Therapeutics
12:15 – 1:30 PM
Moderators: Vik Meadows, PhD and Louisa Tichy, PhD, MS

  • Shehnaz Bano12:15 – 12:30 PM
    ABSTRACT 001-Targeted Deletion of Hepatocyte ERBB3 (HER3) Attenuates MASLD Progression and Reprograms the PPARγ–HNF4α Metabolic Axis
    Shehnaz Bano, PhD
    University of Pittsburgh

  • Rachel Chen12:30 – 12:45 PM
    ABSTRACT 002-Investigating the Role of TM6SF2 E167K in ER Stress and Unfolded Protein Response Signaling in MASH
    Rachel Chen
    University of California, Berkeley

  • Lillian Li12:45 – 1:00 PM
    ABSTRACT 003-Selective LNP-siRNA Targeting of ZNRF3/RNF43 for Regenerative MASH Therapy
    Lilian Li, BA
    Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
     

  • Thanh Nguyen1:00 – 1:15 PM
    ABSTRACT 004-CCPG1-Mediated ER-Phagy Facilitates Gastric Epithelial Reprogramming Following Injury
    Thanh Nguyen, BS
    Baylor College of Medicine

  • Charulekha Packirisamy1:15 – 1:30 PM
    ABSTRACT 005-Chronic High-Fat Diet Drives Gastric Tuft Cell Hyperplasia
    Charulekha Packirisamy, BS, MS
    Medical University of South Carolina

Keynote: Tumor Immunology & Immune Escape
1:30 – 2:30 PM
Moderator: Anna Tingler, BS

  • Evan DelgadoCircumventing Immune Escape in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
    Evan Delgado, PhD
    Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina

Session 2:  Host–Microbe Interactions, Barrier Defense & Surveillance
2:30 – 4:00 PM
Moderators: Charulekha Packirsamy, BS, MS and Anna Tingler, BS

  • Jenna Cagle2:30 – 2:45 PM
    ABSTRACT 006-Abiotrophia Defectiva Degrades Mucins in the Oral Cavity
    Jenna Cagle
    Medical University of South Carolina
     

  • Melinda Engevik2:45 – 3:00 PM
    ABSTRACT 007-Examining the Therapeutic Potential of IL-22-Induced Adherent Mucin Productionin Clostridioides Difficile Infection
    Melinda (Mindy) Engevik, PhD
    Medical University of South Carolina

  • Brannon LaFrancis3:00 – 3:15 PM
    ABSTRACT 008-Clostridioides Difficile Toxins Inhibit the Functions of Colonic ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
    Brannon LaFrancis, BS
    Medical University of South Carolina

  • Claire Gurrieri3:15 – 3:30 PM
    ABSTRACT 009-Exploring Synergistic Interactions Between Acinetobacter Baumanii and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
    Claire Gurrieri, BA
    Medical University of South Carolina

  • Jasmine Lowney3:30 – 3:45 PM
    ABSTRACT 010-Optimizing Genomic Sequencing Workflows for Pathogen Detection in Northeastern Tick Populations
    Jasmine Lowney
    James J Peters VA Medical Center

  • Wynton Vaughn3:45 – 4:00 PM
    ABSTRACT 011-Optimizing Physiological Monitoring for Distinguishing Exploration Medical Conditions
    Wynton Vaughn
    Clemson University

Session 3:  Immune Remodeling, Inflammation & Therapeutic Response
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Moderators: Anna Tingler, BS and Fergus McLellan, BVis Sci, BSci

  • Tian Tian4:00 – 4:15 PM
    ABSTRACT 012-Alcohol Reshapes Liver Zonal Plasticity and Immune-Metabolic Reprogramming in Metabolic-Syndrome Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma
    Tian Tian
    Tulane University

  • Mobin Ibne Mokbul4:15 – 4:30 PM
    ABSTRACT 013-Single-Cell Profiling Reveals Previously Unrecognized Intrahepatic Neutrophil States in Cholestatic Liver Disease
    Mobin Ibne Mokbul, MD
    Mayo Clinic

  • Yingting Zhang4:30 – 4:45 PM
    ABSTRACT 014-IRF3 Deficiency Protects from CCl4-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Mice by Modulating Neutrophil Responses
    Yingting Zhang, MS
    Cleveland Clinic

  • Stutika Shrestha4:45 – 5:00 PM
    ABSTRACT 015-Identification & Characterization of Liver-Derived Hematopoietic Factors in Healthy & Diseased Livers
    Stutika Thapa Shrestha
    Tulane University School of Medicine

  • Brittany Macha5:00 – 5:15 PM
    ABSTRACT 016-RNA Binding Protein, FMRP, Influences IL-6 Gene Expression and Pyroptosis in Macrophages
    Brittany Macha, BS, MS
    Tulane National Biomedical Research Center

  • Roshni Singh5:15 – 5:30 PM
    ABSTRACT 017-Modulating EETs to Reprogram Glioblastoma Toward a Pro-Resolution Phenotype
    Roshni Singh, BS
    Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
     

  • Subhomitra Ghoshal5:30 – 5:45 PM
    ABSTRACT 018-Acinetobacter Calcoaceticus Shapes Epithelial-Macrophage Signalling in Colorectal Cancer
    Subhomitra Ghoshal, MSc
    Medical University of South Carolina

  • Emily Hughes5:45 – 6:00 PM
    ABSTRACT 019-Efflux Transporters Are Elevated and Microbially Regulated in Head and Neck Cancer
    Emily Hughes
    Medical University of South Carolina

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Session 4:  Development, Matrix Biology & Fibrotic Remodeling
12:00 – 1:30 PM
Moderator: Cole Hladik, PhD, MSc

  • Prerna Chakkingal12:00 – 12:15 PM
    ABSTRACT 020-Hepatocyte HIF signaling is Dispensable for β-Catenin-Dependent Liver Zonation
    Prerna Chakkingal
    University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
     

  • Natalie Miscik12:15 – 12:30 PM
    ABSTRACT 021-Investigating the Mechanisms of Retinoic Acid Signaling in Liver and Hepatic Stellate Cell Development
    Natalie Miscik
    University of Utah

  • Eileen Huang12:30 – 12:45 PM
    ABSTRACT 022-Senescence in Healthy Lung Aging Contributes to Changes in the Extracellular Matrix Proteome
    Eileen Huang
    University of Pittsburgh

  • Kristin Wannemo12:45 – 1:00 PM
    ABSTRACT 023-The Hippo Pathway Component AMOTL2 Impacts Lung Epithelial Cell Reprogramming in Pulmonary Fibrosis
    Kristin Wannemo
    University of Pittsburgh

  • Elizabeth Rush1:00 – 1:15 PM
    ABSTRACT 024-A Novel, Preclinical Model Recapitulates Neonatal Marfan Syndrome and Uncovers Potential Mechanisms Underlying Disease Severity
    Elizabeth Rush
    Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

  • 1:15 – 1:30 PM
    ABSTRACT 025-A Patient-Specific ADAMTSL2 Variant Causes Geleophysic Dysplasia Connective Tissue Changes in a Preclinical Mouse Model
    Divya Sivakumar
    Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Session 5:  Microbial Metabolism, GI Homeostasis & Inflammatory Disease
1:30 – 3:00 PM
Moderators: Anna Tingler, BS and Charulekha Packirsamy, BS, MS

  • Alyssa Gutierrez1:30 – 1:45 PM
    ABSTRACT 026-Hydroxyphenyllactic Acid Promotes Intestinal Homeostasis Through Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Barrier-Protective Effects
    Alyssa Gutierrez
    Medical University of South Carolina

  • Brenton Puckett1:45 – 2:00 PM
    ABSTRACT 027-Diverse Microbes From the Human Gut Microbiome Secrete Extracellular Purines
    Brenton Pucket
    Medical University of South Carolina
     

  • Selene Shore2:00 – 2:15 PM
    ABSTRACT 028-Limosilacto Bacillus Reuteri  Creates Novel Microbially Conjugated Bile Acids Which Impacts Bile Acid Signaling
    Selene Shore
    Medical University of South Carolina

  • Ana Pettijohn2:15 – 2:30 PM
    ABSTRACT 029-Patients with Ulcerative Colitis Have Alterations in Purinergic Receptors Expression and Function
    Ana Pettijohn
    Medical University of South Carolina

  • Ebenezer Sewu2:30 – 2:45 PM
    ABSTRACT 030-Green Tea Kombucha Protects Against Murine Colitis by Averting Oxidative Colon Damage
    Ebenezer Sewu
    University of Ghana

  • Casper van Altena2:45 – 3:00 PM
    ABSTRACT 031-Reduced Myosin 5b Expression is Associated with Increased Epithelial Proliferation in Ulcerative Colitis and Colorectal Cancer
    Casper van Altena
    Medical University of South Carolina

Keynote: Endothelial Immunobiology
3:00 – 4:00 PM
Moderators: Constanza Stortini, BA and Maria Zambrano, BS

  • Jordan PoberThe Immunological Roles of Endothelial Cells in Human Transplantation
    Jordan Pober, MD, PhD
    Bayer Professor of Translational Medicine/ Immunobiology
    Yale School of Medicine

Session 6:  Endothelial Immunobiology, Vascular Remodeling & Repair
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Moderators: Constanza Stortini, BA and Maria Zambrano, BS

  • Edward Dominguez4:00 – 4:15 PM
    ABSTRACT 032-A Novel Role for PECAM in the Regulation of Leukocyte Transendothelial Migration
    Edward Domínguez
    Northwestern University
     

  • Byambasuren Enkhtuul4:15 – 4:30 PM
    ABSTRACT 033-Endothelial Senescence in Skin Wound Repair
    Byambasuren Enkhtuul
    Medical College of Wisconsin
     

  • Priscilla Kyi4:30 – 4:45 PM
    ABSTRACT 034-Lymphatic YAP1 in Hypoxia-Induced Vascular Remodeling
    Priscilla Kyi
    Medical College of Wisconsin
     

  • Mikaela Scheer4:45 – 5:00 PM
    ABSTRACT 035– Biglycan in Lung Vascular Regeneration
    Mikaela Scheer
    Medical College of Wisconsin
     

  • Zhan Shi5:00 – 5:15 PM
    ABSTRACT 036-MGB1/Caspase-8/RIP3 Axis Mediates Mitochondrial Apoptosis in Septic Cardiac Microvascular Endothelial Injury
    Zhan Shi
    The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Jiangsu University

  • Adita Darodkar5:15 – 5:30 PM
    ABSTRACT 037-ADAMTS6 is Necessary for Heart Valve Stratification and Myocardium Development
    Aditi Darodkar
    Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

  • Yuting Jin5:30 – 5:45 PM
    ABSTRACT 038-Disrupting Angiofibrotic Retinal Signaling Through Nanoparticle-Based NADPH Oxidase Inhibition
    Yuting Jin
    University of New South Wales

  • Swathi Priya5:45 – 6:00 PM
    ABSTRACT 039-Monomethyl Fumarate Inhibits Angiogenesis and Fibrosis in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Models
    Swathi Priya
    University of New South Wales

Thursday, October 29, 2026

Session 7:  Tissue Stress, Fibrotic Remodeling & Neural Injury
12:00 – 1:30 PM
Moderator: Michelle Thayer, MS, BS and Louisa Tichy, PhD, MS

  • Gonzalo De Lorenzo Vicente12:00 – 12:15 PM
    ABSTRACT 040-Targeting De Novo Pyrimidine Synthesis Via CAD Inhibition Suppresses Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Liver Fibrosis
    Gonzalo De Lorenzo Vicente
    Mayo Clinic

  • Henry Johnson12:15 – 12:30 PM
    ABSTRACT 041-WNK1 Inhibition Reduces H3K9ac Expression in Hepatic Stellate Cells and Precision Cut Liver Slices
    Henry Johnson
    Mayo Clinic

  • Kathryn Rhodes12:30 – 12:45 PM
    ABSTRACT 042-Long-Term Deficits to Memory and Motor Coordination Ability are Sustained in a Murine Model of Pediatric Type C HE After Liver Injury Resolution
    Kathryn Rhodes
    The University of Texas, Austin

  • Isaac Vargas Rodriguez12:45 – 1:00 PM
    ABSTRACT 043-From Breath to Call: Neuromodulatory Role of IL-6 in Neonatal Brainstem Function. Ultrasonic Vocalization in Neonates
    Isaac Vargas
    Florida International University

  • Mackenzie Pavlik1:00 – 1:15 PM
    ABSTRACT 044-Micro- and Nanoplastics Exposure Exacerbates Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology in APP/PSEN1 Mice
    Mackenzie Pavlik
    University of Rhode Island

  • 1:15 – 1:30 PM
    ABSTRACT 045-Unravelling the Effects of Blue Light Exposure on Human Choroidal Melanocytes
    Elizabeth Van
    University of New South Wales

Session 8:  Cancer Genomics, Metabolic Adaptation & Systemic Effects
1:30 – 3:00 PM
Moderator: Tyler Yasaka, BS and Cole Hladik, PhD, MSc

  • Jordan Coccoluto1:30 – 1:45 PM
    ABSTRACT 046-Regulation of Lipogenic Programs in the Meibomian Gland by MYC and Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein 1 (SREBP1)
    Jordan Coccoluto
    Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

  • Carlos Dominguez Vargas1:45 – 2:00 PM
    ABSTRACT 047-Genomic Complexity and Survival Differences Between Ewing Sarcoma and Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor
    Carlos Domínguez-Vargas
     Universidad de Guadalajara

  • Emily Kounlavong2:00 – 2:15 PM
    ABSTRACT 048-Fibroblast Subtype Composition at Diagnosis Improves Progression Risk Estimates in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
    Emily Kounlavong
    University of North Carolina

  • Pramita Suresh2:15 – 2:30 PM
    ABSTRACT 049-Endometrial Cancer Exploits Myosin 5B to Support Nutrient Uptake and Metabolism
    Pramita Suresh
    University of South Carolina

  • Silvia Caggia2:30 – 2:45 PM
    ABSTRACT 050-Long-Term Effects of Chemotherapy in Mouse Survivorship Model
    Silvia Caggia
    University of Miami
     

  • Reygenald Ines2:45 – 3:00 PM
    ABSTRACT 051-Modulating Epoxy-Eicosanoids to Attenuate Glioblastoma-Induced Sarcopenia
    Reygenald Ines
    Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/ Harvard Medical School

Keynote: Breast Cancer Epigenetics & Inflammation
3:00 – 4:00 PM
Moderators: Ana Pettijohn, BS and Cole Hladik, PhD, MSc

  • Austin ShullEpigenetics and Divergent Inflammatory Expression Signatures in Basal-Like Breast Cancer
    Austin Shull, PhD
    Associate Professor Presbyterian College

Awards and Closing Announcements
5:45 – 6:00 pm

Session 9:  Breast Cancer Inflammation, Stroma & Therapeutic Resistance
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Moderators: Ana Pettijohn, BS and Cole Hladik, PhD, MSc

  • Anna Macias Sabate4:00 – 4:15 PM
    ABSTRACT 052-Immune Infiltration in Breast Cancers With Germline Alterations in DNA Repair Genes: Effects of Age and Ancestry
    Anna Macías Sabaté
    Universitat Autònoma de Barcelony

  • Zachary Schrank4:15 – 4:30 PM
    ABSTRACT 053-Induction of Tertiary Lymphoid Structures by Immune Checkpoint Therapy in a Murine Model of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
    Zachary Schrank
    University of North Carolina

  • Khudega Salim4:30 – 4:45 PM
    ABSTRACT 054-Development of Breast-Adipose Co-Culture Model to Decipher the Impact of Lipid Heterogeneity on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
    Khudeja Salim
    Tulane University

  • Yue Tung Lee4:45 – 5:00 PM
    ABSTRACT 055-Eicosanoid Regulation of Cachexia in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Mice
    Yue Tung Lee
    Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School

  • 5:00 – 5:15 PM
    ABSTRACT 056-ABSTRACT WITHDRAWN

    Bakhtawar Tufail5:15 – 5:30 PM
    ABSTRACT 057-Role of Liver Kinase B1 and its Downstream Kinases as Regulators of Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
    Bakhtawar Tufail
    Tulane University

  • Chelsea Weaver5:30 – 5:45 PM
    ABSTRACT 058-Structure-Guided Docking of WEA001, A Goldilocks ERα Antagonist for Endocrine-Resistant Breast Cancer
    Chelsea Weaver
    Agnes Scott College