Opening Remarks
12:00 – 12:15 PM
Session 1: Metabolic Stress & Regenerative Therapeutics
12:15 – 1:30 PM
12:15 – 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
12:30 – 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
12:45 – 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
1:00 – 1:15 PM
ABSTRACT 004-CCPG1-Mediated ER-Phagy Facilitates Gastric Epithelial Reprogramming Following Injury
Thanh Nguyen, BS
Baylor College of Medicine
1:15 – 1:30 PM
ABSTRACT 005-Chronic High-Fat Diet Drives Gastric Tuft Cell Hyperplasia
Charulekha Packirisamy, BS, MS
Medical University of South Carolina
Session 2: Host–Microbe Interactions, Barrier Defense & Surveillance
1:30 – 3:00 PM
1:30 – 1:45 PM
ABSTRACT 006-Abiotrophia Defectiva Degrades Mucins in the Oral Cavity
Jenna Cagle
Medical University of South Carolina
1:45 – 2:00 PM
ABSTRACT 007-Examining the Therapeutic Potential of IL-22-Induced Adherent Mucin Productionin Clostridioides Difficile Infection
Erin Chard, MS
Medical University of South Carolina
2:00 – 2:15 PM
ABSTRACT 008-Clostridioides Difficile Toxins Inhibit the Functions of Colonic ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
Brannon LaFrancis, BS
Medical University of South Carolina
2:15 – 2:30 PM
ABSTRACT 009-Exploring Synergistic Interactions Between Acinetobacter Baumanii and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Claire Gurrieri, BA
Medical University of South Carolina
2:30 – 2:45 PM
ABSTRACT 010-Optimizing Genomic Sequencing Workflows for Pathogen Detection in Northeastern Tick Populations
Jasmine C. Lowney
James J Peters VA Medical Center
2:45 – 3:00 PM
ABSTRACT 011-Optimizing Physiological Monitoring for Distinguishing Exploration Medical Conditions
Wynton Vaughn
Clemson University
Keynote: Tumor Immunology & Immune Escape
3:00 – 4:00 PM
Moderator: Anna Tingler
Circumventing Immune Escape in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Evan Delgado, PhD
Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina
Session 3: Immune Remodeling, Inflammation & Therapeutic Response
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Moderator: Anna Tingler, BS
4:00 – 4:15 PM
Alcohol Reshapes Liver Zonal Plasticity and Immune-Metabolic Reprogramming in Metabolic-Syndrome Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Tian Tian
Tulane University
4:15 – 4:30 PM
Single-Cell Profiling Reveals Previously Unrecognized Intrahepatic Neutrophil States in Cholestatic Liver Disease
Mobin Mokbul, MD
Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology
4:30 – 4:45 PM
IRF3 Deficiency Protects from CCl4-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Mice by Modulating Neutrophil Responses
Yingting Zhang, MS
Cleveland Clinic
4:45 – 5:00 PM
Identification & Characterization of Liver-Derived Hematopoietic Factors in Healthy & Diseased Livers
Claire Gurrier, BA
Tulane University School of Medicine
5:00 – 5:15 PM
RNA Binding Protein, FMRP, Influences IL-6 Gene Expression and Pyroptosis in Macrophages
Jasmine Lowney
Tulane National Biomedical Research Center
5:15 – 5:30 PM
Modulating EETs to Reprogram Glioblastoma Toward a Pro-Resolution Phenotype
Roshni Singh, BS
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
5:30 – 5:45 PM
Acinetobacter Calcoaceticus Shapes Epithelial-Macrophage Signalling in Colorectal Cancer
Subhomitra Ghoshal, MSc
Medical University of South Carolina
5:45 – 6:00 PM
Efflux Transporters Are Elevated and Microbially Regulated in Head and Neck Cancer
Emily Hughes
Medical University of South Carolina
Session 4: Development, Matrix Biology & Fibrotic Remodeling
12:00 – 1:30 PM
12:00 – 12:15 PM
Hepatocyte HIF signaling is Dispensable for β-Catenin-Dependent Liver Zonation
Prerna Chakkingal
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
12:15 – 12:30 PM
Investigating the Mechanisms of Retinoic Acid Signaling in Liver and Hepatic Stellate Cell Development
Natalie Miscik
University of Utah
12:30 – 12:45 PM
Senescence in Healthy Lung Aging Contributes to Changes in the Extracellular Matrix Proteome
Eileen L. Huang
University of Pittsburgh
12:45 – 1:00 PM
The Hippo Pathway Component AMOTL2 Impacts Lung Epithelial Cell Reprogramming in Pulmonary Fibrosis
Kristin Wannemo
University of Pittsburgh
1:00 – 1:15 PM
A Novel, Preclinical Model Recapitulates Neonatal Marfan Syndrome and Uncovers Potential Mechanisms Underlying Disease Severity
Elizabeth H. Rush
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
1:15 – 1:30 PM
A Patient-Specific ADAMTSL2 Variant Causes Geleophysic Dysplasia Connective Tissue Changes in a Preclinical Mouse Model
Divya I. Sivakumar
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Session 5: Microbial Metabolism, GI Homeostasis & Inflammatory Disease
1:30 – 3:00 PM
Moderator: Anna Tingler
1:30 – 1:45 PM
Hydroxyphenyllactic Acid Promotes Intestinal Homeostasis Through Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Barrier-Protective Effects
Alyssa Gutierrez
Medical University of South Carolina
1:45 – 2:00 PM
Diverse Microbes From the Human Gut Microbiome Secrete Extracellular Purines
Brenton M. Pucket
Medical University of South Carolina
2:00 – 2:15 PM
Limosilacto Bacillus Reuteri Creates Novel Microbially Conjugated Bile Acids Which Impacts Bile Acid Signaling
Selene F.H. Shore
Medical University of South Carolina
2:15 – 2:30 PM
Patients with Ulcerative Colitis Have Alterations in Purinergic Receptors Expression and Function
Ana G. Pettijohn
Medical University of South Carolina
2:30 – 2:45 PM
Green Tea Kombucha Protects Against Murine Colitis by Averting Oxidative Colon Damage
Ebenezer Kwesi Sewu
University of Ghana
2:45 – 3:00 PM
Reduced Myosin 5b Expression is Associated with Increased Epithelial Proliferation in Ulcerative Colitis and Colorectal Cancer
Casper J. van Altena
Medical University of South Carolina
Keynote: Endothelial Immunobiology
3:00 – 4:00 PM
Moderator: Constanza Stortini
The 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
Moderator: Constanza Stortini
4:00 – 4:15 PM
A Novel Role for PECAM in the Regulation of Leukocyte Transendothelial Migration
Edward Domínguez
Northwestern University
4:15 – 4:30 PM
Endothelial Senescence in Skin Wound Repair
Byambasuren Enkhtuul
Medical College of Wisconsin
4:30 – 4:45 PM
Lymphatic YAP1 in Hypoxia-Induced Vascular Remodeling
Priscilla Kyi
Medical College of Wisconsin
4:45 – 5:00 PM
Biglycan in Lung Vascular Regeneration
Mikaela Scheer
Medical College of Wisconsin
5:00 – 5:15 PM
MGB1/Caspase-8/RIP3 Axis Mediates Mitochondrial Apoptosis in Septic Cardiac Microvascular Endothelial Injury
Zhan Shi
The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Jiangsu University
5:15 – 5:30 PM
ADAMTS6 is Necessary for Heart Valve Stratification and Myocardium Development
Darodkar AJ
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
5:30 – 5:45 PM
Disrupting Angiofibrotic Retinal Signaling Through Nanoparticle-Based NADPH Oxidase Inhibition
Yuting Jin
University of New South Wales
5:45 – 6:00 PM
Monomethyl Fumarate Inhibits Angiogenesis and Fibrosis in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Models
Swathi Priya
University of New South Wales
Session 7: Tissue Stress, Fibrotic Remodeling & Neural Injury
12:00 – 1:30 PM
12:00 – 12:15 PM
Targeting De Novo Pyrimidine Synthesis Via CAD Inhibition Suppresses Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Liver Fibrosis
Gonzalo De Lorenzo Vicente
Mayo Clinic
12:15 – 12:30 PM
WNK1 Inhibition Reduces H3K9ac Expression in Hepatic Stellate Cells and Precision Cut Liver Slices
Henry Johnson
Mayo Clinic
12:30 – 12:45 PM
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
12:45 – 1:00 PM
From Breath to Call: Neuromodulatory Role of IL-6 in Neonatal Brainstem Function. Ultrasonic Vocalization in Neonates
Isaac Vargas
Florida International University
1:00 – 1:15 PM
Micro- and Nanoplastics Exposure Exacerbates Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology in APP/PSEN1 Mice
Mackenzie Pavlik
University of Rhode Island
1:15 – 1:30 PM
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
1:30 – 1:45 PM
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
1:45 – 2:00 PM
Genomic Complexity and Survival Differences Between Ewing Sarcoma and Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor
Carlos Domínguez-Vargas
Universidad de Guadalajara
2:00 – 2:15 PM
Fibroblast Subtype Composition at Diagnosis Improves Progression Risk Estimates in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
Emily Kounlavong
University of North Carolina
2:15 – 2:30 PM
Endometrial Cancer Exploits Myosin 5B to Support Nutrient Uptake and Metabolism
Pramita Suresh
University of South Carolina
2:30 – 2:45 PM
Long-Term Effects of Chemotherapy in Mouse Survivorship Model
Silvia Caggia
University of Miami
2:45 – 3:00 PM
Modulating Epoxy-Eicosanoids to Attenuate Glioblastoma-Induced Sarcopeni
Reygenald Ines
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/ Harvard Medical School
Keynote: Breast Cancer Epigenetics & Inflammation
3:00 – 4:00 PM
Moderator: Ana Pettijohn
Epigenetics and Divergent Inflammatory Expression Signatures in Basal-Like Breast Cancer
Austin Shull, PhD
Associate Professor Presbyterian College
Session 9: Breast Cancer Inflammation, Stroma & Therapeutic Resistance
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Moderator: Ana Pettijohn
4:00 – 4:15 PM
Immune Infiltration in Breast Cancers With Germline Alterations in DNA Repair Genes: Effects of Age and Ancestry
Anna Macías Sabaté
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelony
4:15 – 4:30 PM
Induction of Tertiary Lymphoid Structures by Immune Checkpoint Therapy in a Murine Model of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Zachary Schrank
University of North Carolina
4:30 – 4:45 PM
Development of Breast-Adipose Co-Culture Model to Decipher the Impact of Lipid Heterogeneity on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Khudeja Salim
Tulane University
4:45 – 5:00 PM
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
Defining a Calcification-Associated Stromal Niche for Biomarker-Guided Bone Metastasis Prevention in Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
Nicole Cullen
Tulane University
5:15 – 5:30 PM
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
5:30 – 5:45 PM
Structure-Guided Docking of WEA001, a Goldilocks ERα Antagonist for Endocrine-Resistant Breast Cancer
Chelsea Weaver
Agnes Scott College
Awards and Closing
5:45 – 6:00 pm