Program

Monday, April 13, 2026		Meeting Room
7:00 am – 4:45 pm	Registration Table	SCW Lobby (second floor)
7:30 am – 8:30 am	Breakfast	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
8:00 am – 8:25 am	CSCTR Membership Meeting Jennifer Alexander-Brett, MD, PhD President, CSCTR Past Chair, AFMR Midwestern Region Associate Professor of Medicine Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis	SCW Room 206 (second floor)
8:30 am – 8:40 am	Welcome and Opening Remarks Jennifer Alexander-Brett, MD, PhD President, CSCTR Past Chair, AFMR Midwestern Region Associate Professor of Medicine Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Syed Bukhari, MD, MSc Chair, AFMR Midwestern Section T32 Cardiology Fellow Department of Cardiovascular Medicine Johns Hopkins University	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
8:45 am – 9:45 am	MWAFMR Career Development Workshop Moderators: Syed Bukhari, MD, MSc Chair, AFMR Midwestern Section T32 Cardiology Fellow Department of Cardiovascular Medicine Johns Hopkins University Alison Ha, PhD University of Illinois Chicago *Speakers:* Zanthia Wiley, MD Department of Medicine Associate Professor of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases Emory University School of Medicine Navigating the New Funding Reality: Strategies for Career Development in a Shifting Landscape Susan De Luca, MSW, PhD Population Health Research Institute Associate Professor of Psychiatry The MetroHealth System School of Medicine \| Associate Professor Case Western Reserve University Navigating Uncertainty: A Discussion for Early & Mid-Career Biomedical Scientists The presentation explores the rapidly evolving landscape of federal research funding for biomedical scientists amid changing policies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Over the past several years, DEI considerations have become more prominent in federal grant programs, influencing proposal evaluation criteria, training requirements, and institutional expectations. These shifts have begun to reshape how federal agencies frame and implement these initiatives. This session will provide biomedical researchers with a practical overview of what these changes may mean for their funding strategies and research environments.	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
9:45 am – 10:45 am	Health Equity Session This workshop offers an honest, hopeful conversation for early‑career scientists and clinicians navigating a moment of profound uncertainty. Grounded in principles of community, shared leadership, and collective problem‑solving, the session will explore how leaders show up in times of change and provide support across institutions. Through a brief opening talk and a panel of diverse leaders, this session will highlight the importance of process over perfection, invite personal stories of how individuals are finding their way, and create space for reflection in small groups. The panel will focus on building resilience, staying connected, and leading with integrity when the path forward isn’t yet clear. Moderator: Jerry A. Krishnan, MD, PhD Past President, CSCTR Associate Vice Chancellor for Population Health Sciences Professor of Medicine and Public Health Epidemiology and Biostatistics University of Illinois Chicago *Speakers:* Rinad S. Beidas, PhD Chair and Ralph Seal Paffenbarger Professor of Medical Social Sciences Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Darius Tandon, PhD Professor and Director, Institute for Public Health and Medicine Chief of Intervention Science in the Department of Medical Social Sciences Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Karriem S. Watson, DHSc, MS, MPH Chief Executive Officer UI Health Mile Square Health Center Selwyn Olweston Rogers, Jr., MD, MPH, FACS Chief of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Surgeon and Public Health Expert Founding director of the University of Chicago Medicine Trauma Center University of Chicago Medicine Elaine H. Morrato, DrPH, MPH, FISPE, CPH Professor and Founding Dean of the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health Loyola University Chicago	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
10:45 am - 11:00 am	Break	SCW Lobby (second floor)
11:00 am - 12:00 pm	Department Chair Session My leadership Journey in Academic Medicine This talk reflects on Dr. Ofotokun's leadership journey in academic medicine, highlighting the experiences, mentors, and pivotal moments that shaped his path from clinician-scientist to departmental leader. It examines how clinical care, research, and education intersect to inform leadership decisions and institutional strategy. The presentation also discusses key lessons learned about building teams, fostering scientific discovery, supporting trainees and faculty development, and navigating complex health systems. Ultimately, it emphasizes leadership as a collective effort grounded in service, collaboration, and a commitment to advancing patient care and academic excellence. Moderator: Jerry A. Krishnan, MD, PhD Past President, CSCTR Associate Vice Chancellor for Population Health Sciences Professor of Medicine and Public Health Epidemiology and Biostatistics University of Illinois Chicago *Speaker:* Igho Ofotokun, MD, MSc, FIDSA Chair, Department of Medicine and Physician-in-Chief University Hospitals Case Western Reserve University	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm	Lunch	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
1:00 pm – 3:30 pm	Set up posters for Monday, April 13, 4:30 pm presentation	Nursing Event Center (third floor)
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm	New Investigator Session Moderator: Mark E. Schweitzer, MD, FACR, FRCP, FISMRM, FACCR Editor in Chief, Journal of Investigative Medicine Vice President for Health Affairs Special Associate to the President Provost for Public Health Planning Wayne State University School of Medicine Introduction of new Journal of Investigative Medicine editor Mark Schweitzer, MD Outstanding Young Investigator Presenter: Ryan A. Coute, DO Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine University of Alabama at Birmingham Automated External Defibrillator Availability, Accessibility, and Usability in High Risk Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Neighborhoods of Birmingham, Alabama This presentation will report findings from a descriptive observational analysis evaluating automated external defibrillator availability, accessibility, and usability in neighborhoods at highest risk for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Birmingham, Alabama.	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm	Dissemination and Implementation Science Session Accelerating the Research-to-Practice Pipeline: Introduction to Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trials This session, led by a panel of implementation scientists, will provide an introduction to the concept of hybrid effectiveness-implementation trials as a means of accelerating the research-to-practice pipeline. Dennis Li, PhD, will first provide a rationale and overview of hybrid trial methodology. Next, Tara Mehta, PhD, Sarah Helseth, PhD, and Sara Becker, PhD, will present a series of three case examples demonstrating the three primary types of hybrid trials. The panel will conclude with pragmatic tips and resources for investigators seeking to employ this design in their work, followed by ample time for audience questions. Speakers: Dennis H. Li, PhD, MPH Assistant Professor Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Medical Social Sciences Northwestern Medicine Tara G. Mehta, PhD Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry Institute for Juvenile Research Department of Psychiatry University of Illinois at Chicago Sarah A. Helseth, PhD Assistant Professor Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Sara J. Becker, PhD Alice Hamilton, Professor of Psychiatry Inaugural Director of the Center for Dissemination and Implementation Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
3:00 pm – 3:15 pm	Break	SCW Lobby (second floor)
	*Concurrent Sessions:
*3:15 pm – 4:15 pm	Annual Max Miller Lecture in Diabetes Research Molecular Basis for Fuel Selection Organisms continually seek optimal fuel and adjust their need in response to environmental and internal changes. For example, under conditions of limited food availability or fasting, cells shift from using glucose to burning fat, while preserving glucose for the brain, a process known as fuel switching. This process is essential for survival and long-term metabolic health. Similarly, during chronic cold adaptation, brown adipose tissue (BAT) switches their fuel from glucose to fatty acids to maintain body temperature. In pathological conditions such as heart failure, the heart shifts its metabolism from fatty acid oxidation to glucose metabolism, highlighting the versatility of fuel utilization. How does each tissue decide what fuel to use? Dr. Kajimura will discuss his recent studies, indicating that mitochondria play a key role in fuel selection to meet cell-type-specific needs. Moderator: Terry G. Unterman, MD Past President, CSCTR Professor of Medicine, Physiology, and Biophysics University of Illinois Chicago *Speaker:* Shingo Kajimura, PhD Professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism	SCW Room 206 (second floor)
*3:15 pm – 4:15 pm	Inflammation, Immunity, and Transplant From Bench to Borderless Bedside: Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunity in a Global Context Blood and Marrow Transplantation, or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, is commonly utilized to cure multiple hematologic malignancies and acquired or congenital bone marrow failures, such as aplastic anemia or sickle cell disease. In 2011, the University of Illinois at Chicago GlobalBMT initiative was launched in the Division of Hematology/Oncology and the Center for Global Health to partner with hospitals treating patients with hematologic diseases in LMICs where BMT is highly needed, and patients cannot afford to travel to other countries to receive treatment. The training has had 21 trainees and is composed of: observership in the BMT inpatient unit and outpatient clinics, the Stem Cell Lab, the HLA lab, and the Blood Bank; 10 lectures from UIC faculty; and one-to-one sessions with the training director addressing plans related to each country. The partnership of UIC GlobalBMT with multiple institutions has resulted in: establishing the first BMT in Nepal and in Bolivia, a new center at Ramaiah Medical College in Bangalore, India; training and implementation of allogeneic BMT at the National Cancer Institute in Kyiv, Ukraine; haploidentical BMT in Havana, Cuba. Moderators: Suman Setty, MBBS, PhD Councilor, CSCTR Professor of Pathology University of Illinois Chicago Juan Sigala Lozano, MD Third Year Pathology Resident University of Illinois Chicago *Speaker:* Damiano Rondelli, MD Michael Reese Professor of Hematology Division Chief, Hematology/Oncology Director of Blood & Marrow Transplant University of Illinois at Chicago	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
4:15 pm - 4:30 pm	Break	SCW Lobby (second floor)
4:30 pm – 6:15 pm	Moderated Poster Discussions and Opening Reception Jennifer Alexander-Brett, MD, PhD President, CSCTR Past Chair, AFMR Midwestern Region Associate Professor of Medicine Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Syed Bukhari, MD, MSc Chair, AFMR Midwestern Section T32 Cardiology Fellow Department of Cardiovascular Medicine Johns Hopkins University Poster Research Categories Click on a category to view abstracts. Case Reports T0 Research/Science T1 Research/Science T2 Research/Science T3 Research/Science T4 Research/Science	Nursing Event Center (third floor)
6:15 pm	Dinner (on your own)
Tuesday, April 14, 2026		Meeting Room
8:00 am – 3:15 pm	Registration Table	SCW Lobby (second floor)
8:00 am – 9:00 am	Mentor and Attendee Breakfast Making Industry Connections: Getting a foot in the door Mentor: Debbie Leah Buonomo, PharmD Making Industry Connections: Getting a foot in the door Mentor: Stephen Liu, PharmD Demystifying Journal Operations: Where does my paper go when I hit submit? Mentor: Mark E. Schweitzer, MD Implementation Science: Treatment works, now what? Mentors: Sara J. Becker, PhD Implementation Science: Treatment works, now what? Mentor: Tara G. Mehta, PhD Starting Your Own Program Mentors: David J. Kennedy, PhD and Laneshia Tague, MD Academic Leadership Advancement Mentor: Jennifer Alexander-Brett, MD, PhD Academic Leadership Advancement Mentor: Syed Bukhari, MD, MSc Work Life Balance Mentor: Steven Dudek, MD	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
8:00 am – 9:00 am
9:00 am - 9:15 am	Break	SCW Lobby (second floor)
9:00 am – 1:00 pm	Set up posters for Tuesday, April 14, 4:45 pm presentation	Nursing Event Center (third floor)
9:15 am – 9:45 am	Awards Presentation Outstanding Young Investigator Award Ryan A. Coute, DO K-Awards Adrienne L. Johnson, PhD Andrea Pappalardo Wlochowicz, MD Oral Abstract Awards Sohini Dutt, PhD Andrew Edgington Smriti Gurung, PhD Sidharth Mahapatra, MD, PhD Grant Nelson, BA Omar Osorio Morgan Payne, BS Jordan Petrick Themis Thoudam, PhD Chelsey Wood, MD Travel Awards Zahraa W. Alsafwani, MSc Weiguo Chen Caroline R. Daggett, MD Candidate Alison Ha, PhD Selah McKenney, MD Candidate Julia H. Miao, MD Rayaan Rauf, BA Bivek Timalsina, MSc Joshua Wydra, BS Top Three Poster Abstracts in each Research Category Case Reports Brittani Lubeck, MD Farwah Shah, MD, MPH Rishi Sharma, MEng T0 Research/Science Patrick Belvitch, MD Diya M. Bhatia Jacob F. Wood T1 Research/Science Haider Mirza, BS Bibek Shrestha, MD Tyler Shugg, PharmD, PhD T2 Research/Science Mohammed Abdalkarim, MD Thaer Alhroob, MD Benjamin Jones, BS T3 Research/Science Jasmine Berry, MPH Madhu Vishnu Sankar Reddy Rami Reddy, BS (two abstracts awarded in this category) T4 Research/Science Ringo Leung, BS Sarah E. Roehrs, BS Kathryn Tsai, BS	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
9:45 am – 10:45 am	Cardiology/Pulmonary Lecture Frontiers of Thoracic Surgery During the lecture the audience will learn about new innovations and frontiers of surgical therapy for thoracic diseases including lung cancer, esophageal cancer, airway diseases, benign lung conditions as well as the application of lung transplant in managing lethal conditions. Moderators: Jennifer Alexander-Brett, MD, PhD President, CSCTR Past Chair, AFMR Midwestern Region Associate Professor of Medicine Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Prabhatchandra Dube, PhD Research Associate The University of Toledo *Speaker:* Ankit Bharat, MD Chief of Thoracic Surgery in the Department of Surgery Harold L. and Margaret N. Method Professor of Surgery Professor, Surgery (Thoracic Surgery) Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care) Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
10:45 am - 11:00 am	Break	SCW Lobby (second floor)
11:00 am - 11:45 am	Catalyzing Collaboration: Transforming Clinical and Translational Research Through Industry and Academic Partnerships Moderators: Jennifer Alexander-Brett, MD, PhD President, CSCTR Past Chair, AFMR Midwestern Region Associate Professor of Medicine Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Jeffrey Salomon, MD, MBA Councilor, CSCTR Past Chair, AFMR Midwestern Section Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Physician University of Nebraska Medical Center *Speakers:* Debbie Leah Buonomo, PharmD Medical Science Liaison Verona Pharma Dasan Thambiayya, PhD Senior Medical Science Liaison Genentech	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
11:45 am – 12:45 pm	Lunch	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
12:45 pm – 1:45 pm	CSCTR John B. Hickam Endowed Lecture The John B. Hickam Endowed Lectureship was established in 1981 to honor John Hickam, President of CSCR in 1970. At the time of his death in 1970, Dr. Hickam was Chair of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Hickam was internationally recognized in medical research, particularly in the areas of lung, heart, and circulatory system diseases. Dr. Hickam was also responsible for administering research programs, which established the Indiana University School of Medicine as one of the nation’s primary centers for research in heart disease. Improving the World Through Academic Medicine A brief personal background and a discussion of challenges, strategies and opportunities for emerging physician-scientists. Moderator: Steven Dudek, MD, ATSF Past President, CSCTR Chief, Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy Dean E. Schraufnagel Professor of Medicine Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy University of Illinois Chicago *Speaker:* Mark E. Anderson, MD, PhD Dean of the Biological Sciences Division Dean of the Pritzker School of Medicine Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs Paul and Allene Russell Professor Department of Medicine The University of Chicago Medicine	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
1:45 pm - 2:00 pm	Break	SCW Lobby (second floor)
	*Concurrent Sessions:
*2:00 pm – 3:15 pm	Translational Science Oral Session I: Pulmonary, Critical Care, Cardiology, and Renal Moderator: Laneshia Karee Tague, MD, MSCI Chair-Elect, AFMR Midwestern Section Assistant Professor of Medicine Washington University School of Medicine Oral Abstract Presenters:	SCW Room 206 (second floor)
2:00 pm	RADIATION-INDUCED LUNG INJURY IS MEDIATED BY ENDOTHELIAL TRPM2 Weiguo Chen University of Illinois Chicago
2:12 pm	A STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF TREM2/IL-34 INTERACTIONS IN INFLAMMATORY DISEASE SETTINGS Joshua Wydra, BS Washington University in St. Louis
2:24 pm	ENGINEERING A MULTICELLULAR 3D HUMAN AIRWAY ORGANOID PLATFORM TO MODEL REPAIR AND REGENERATION Sohini Dutt, PhD Washington University in St. Louis
2:36 pm	LONGITUDINAL STABILITY OF A PARTIALLY MIGRATED AMULET DEVICE: IMPLICATIONS FOR SURVEILLANCE AND NON-INTERVENTIONAL MANAGEMENT Rayaan Rauf, BA University of Missouri Kansas City
2:48 pm	AEROSOLIZED CYANOBACTERIAL HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM TOXINS INDUCE HEIGHTENED PRO-INFLAMMATORY RESPONSES AND DIFFERENTIAL GENE EXPRESSION IN HEALTHY AND ASTHMATIC HUMAN AIRWAY CELLS Bivek Timalsina, MSc University of Toledo
3:00 pm	ATTENUATION OF MRSA-INDUCED LUNG ENDOTHELIAL INJURY BY YAP SIGNALING Alison Ha, PhD University of Illinois Chicago
*2:00 pm – 3:15 pm	Translational Science Oral Session II: Endocrine/Metabolism, Gastroenterology, Geriatrics, Health Disparities, Environmental Factors Moderator: Suthat Liangpunsakul, MD, MPH Past President, CSCTR Professor of Medicine Indiana University School of Medicine Oral Abstract Presenters:	SCW Room 213 (second floor)
2:00 pm	A MODEL FOR IMPLEMENTING PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS Adrienne L. Johnson, PhD University of Wisconsin
2:11 pm	PDK4-DRIVEN MITOCHONDRIAL FRAGMENTATION PROMOTES MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION AND PROGRESSION OF ALCOHOL-ASSOCIATED LIVER DISEASE Themis Thoudam, PhD Indiana University
2:22 pm	GLP1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS AND RISK OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN ADULTS WITH OBESITY OR TYPE 2 DIABETES Grant Nelson, BA University of Toledo
2:33 pm	USING HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN METHODS TO UNDERSTAND WHY SOME SCHOOLS DO NOT STOCK INHALER Andrea Pappalardo Wlochowicz, MD University of Illinois Chicago
2:44 pm	GUT-DERIVED MICROBIAL UREMIC TOXINS INDUCE VASCULAR REMODELING: A POTENTIAL DRIVER OF ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULA FAILURE Chelsey Wood, MD University of Chicago
2:55 pm	COVID-19 MRNA VACCINATION AND SURVIVAL IN LUNG CANCER: AN IMMUNE MODULATION HYPOTHESIS Caroline R. Daggett, MD Candidate University of Toledo
3:05 pm	COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE NEBRASKA (NE) PEDIATRIC MEDULLOBLASTOMA COHORT Zahraa W. Alsafwani, MSc University of Nebraska
*2:00 pm – 3:15 pm	Translational Science Oral Session III: Hematology/Oncology, Rheumatology/Immunology, and Neurology Moderator: Attaya Suvannasankha, MD Professor of Clinical Medicine Indiana University School of Medicine Oral Abstract Presenters:	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
2:00 pm	EXPLOITING IRON OVERLOAD TO ACTIVATE FERROPTOSIS AND POTENTIATE CISPLATIN RESPONSE IN PEDIATRIC GROUP 3 MEDULLOBLASTOMAS Sidharth Mahapatra, MD, PhD University of Nebraska Medical Center
2:11 pm	ENHANCING IMMUNOTHERAPY EFFICACY IN MYELOMA WITH A DUAL ACTION MITOCHONDRIAL TOXIC PEPTIDE THAT OVERCOMES RESISTANCE AND INDUCES TUMOR CELL DEATH Smriti Gurung, PhD Indiana University
2:22 pm	POST-TRANSLATIONAL MODIFICATION OF HUMAN IL-33 IMPACTS CYTOKINE INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY Morgan Payne, BS Washington University School of Medicine
2:33 pm	ENGINEERING EVS TO PROMOTE RESOLVIN PRODUCTION FOR COPD AND ASTHMA THERAPY Omar Osorio Washington University School of Medicine
2:44 pm	UPREGULATION OF THE ADAPTIVE IMMUNE RESPONSE AND RISK OF FUTURE BREAST CANCER IN PATIENTS WITH LOBULAR CARCINOMA IN SITU (LCIS) Jordan Petrick University of Wisconsin-Madison
2:55 pm	FUNCTIONAL SPECIALIZATION OF TUMOR-EDUCATED PLATELETS IN GLIOBLASTOMA Selah McKenney, MD Candidate University of Toledo
3:05 pm	DIAGNOSIS OF RENAL CANCER USING IMAGING AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Julia H. Miao, MD University of Chicago
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm	Break	SCW Lobby (second floor)
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm	AFMR Keynote Presentation Moderator: David Kennedy, PhD Past President, CSCTR Professor of Medicine University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences Syed Bukhari, MD, MSc Chair, AFMR Midwestern Section Department of Cardiovascular Medicine Johns Hopkins University *Speakers:* Craig M. Jarrett, MD, MBA, MS Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Clinical Informaticist & Physician Investigator University Hospitals A CTSA perspective on how to interface clinical informatics and data science training This presentation will provide a practical overview of how Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Programs can help bridge the gap between clinical informatics and data science training to support modern clinical research. As healthcare increasingly generates vast amounts of electronic health record (EHR) data, researchers must develop new skills and collaborative models to effectively leverage these data for scientific discovery. Drawing on real-world experiences within a CTSA environment, this session will discuss how clinicians, informaticians, and data scientists can work together to design and execute database-driven research. The presentation will highlight the growing role of large-scale, aggregated EHR data platforms, such as Epic Cosmos and TriNetX, that allow researchers to rapidly explore clinical questions across millions of patients using de-identified data. These platforms can significantly reduce the time, cost, and logistical barriers traditionally associated with clinical research while enabling rapid hypothesis generation and population-level analyses. Participants will learn how training programs within CTSA institutions can help clinicians develop the foundational skills needed to interface with these data platforms and collaborate effectively with informatics and data science experts. The talk will emphasize practical lessons learned from database-based studies, including how to identify appropriate research questions, understand the strengths and limitations of EHR-derived data, and design studies that align with the capabilities of modern data platforms. Finally, the session will discuss the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration—often described as a “three-legged stool” of clinical domain expertise, informatics/data science expertise, and research methodology—to successfully translate large-scale clinical data into meaningful scientific insights and improved patient care. Overall, the presentation will provide attendees with a pragmatic CTSA-focused perspective on how to integrate clinical informatics and data science training to empower the next generation of clinical researchers. Robert Erne McCullumsmith, MD, PhD, FACNP Professor and Chair Research Director of the Neurosciences Institute in the College of Medicine & Life Sciences The University of Toledo Development of a “Data Science Pathway of Excellence" for medical students Information on the development of a data science pathway of excellence will be presented, including specific curriculum developed, details of electives, and approaches to teaching and learner engagement. Hunter Eby MD, PhD Candidate The University of Toledo College of Medicine Acquisition of Data Sciences skills during medical school and residency- A learners perspective The rapid expansion of clinical data, electronic health records, and large-scale biomedical databases has created new opportunities for physicians to engage in data-driven research. However, formal training in data science is often limited during medical education. This talk presents a learner’s perspective on acquiring data science skills during medical school and residency. Drawing from personal experiences in clinical research, bioinformatics, and real-world data analysis, the presentation will discuss practical strategies for developing competencies in programming, statistical analysis, and large database research while balancing clinical and academic responsibilities. Particular emphasis will be placed on leveraging available resources, identifying mentorship opportunities, and integrating data science tools into clinically relevant research projects. The goal is to highlight accessible pathways for trainees interested in building data science expertise and to illustrate how these skills can enhance translational research, clinical decision-making, and career development in modern medicine.	SCW Thompson Room (second floor)
4:30 pm - 4:45 pm	Break	SCW Lobby (second floor)
4:45 pm – 6:15 pm	Moderated Poster Discussions and Closing Reception Jennifer Alexander-Brett, MD, PhD President, CSCTR Past Chair, AFMR Midwestern Region Associate Professor of Medicine Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Syed Bukhari, MD, MSc Chair, AFMR Midwestern Section T32 Cardiology Fellow Department of Cardiovascular Medicine Johns Hopkins University Poster Research Categories Click on a category to view abstracts. Case Reports T0 Research/Science T1 Research/Science T2 Research/Science T3 Research/Science T4 Research/Science	Nursing Event Center (third floor)