SBP’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences held its ninth annual retreat in San Marcos, Calif. on May 17-18.
This year’s theme was “Beyond the Bench: What is the future of your findings?” Students were encouraged to share their vision of where they think their research may ultimately lead. Students—25 in all—gave 20-minute presentations to explain their projects, show data and consider how their research may change the world.
“As a graduate student, sometimes we become laser focused on our individual projects, so it’s good to get that extra nudge to think beyond the experiments waiting on our lab bench, and how they may ultimately impact human health,” says Katja Birker, co-coordinator of the retreat and a second-year student in the lab of Rolf Bodmer, PhD, director of the Development, Aging and Regeneration Program.
The “Howling Coyote” award, given to the student with the best presentation, was won by Amir Razai, a third-year student in the lab of Guy Salvesen, PhD, professor in the Tumor Microenvironment and Cancer Metabolism Program, and Dean of the Graduate School. Scoring is based on quality, content and clarity, and is voted on by fellow students. Razai is working on the development of an antibody against matrix metalloprotease 10 (MMP10). MMP10 is associated with cancer and may have future potential as a therapeutic target.
Keynote speaker, William Mobley, MD, PhD, distinguished professor and associate dean for Neurosciences Initiatives in the Department of Neurosciences at UC San Diego, gave an in-depth look at the connection between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. Since nearly 100 percent of people with Down syndrome have Alzheimer’s disease by age 40, many biomedical researchers apply findings from Down syndrome research to Alzheimer’s disease research initiatives.
In addition to Salvesen, the Associate Dean of Admissions, Duc Dong, PhD, and the Associate Dean of Curriculum, Alessandra Sacco, PhD, were on hand for the entire retreat.
Special recognition and thanks go to the team that planned and supported the annual retreat: co-coordinator Joe Fromm, a second-year student in the lab of Nicholas Cosford, PhD, deputy director of SBP’s NCI-designated Cancer Center; Mary Bradley, manager of graduate school administration; Diane Klotz, PhD, director of the Office of Education, Training & International Services; Olga Gubanova, graduate program coordinator, and Andrew Bankston, PhD, program manager of the graduate school.