MCDB Graduate Student Symposium

The MCDB Graduate Student Symposium is a an event held since 1979 that brings together leading researchers in both academic fields and cutting-edge biotechnology enterprises for a day of stimulating talks and interaction between members of the national and local scientific communities. The symposium is entirely student-organized, and as such, all the planning is conducted solely by graduate students.

This year's symposium is titled: "From Molecules to Modeling" and will take place August 7th, 2025 in JSCBB.

Key Speakers:

  • Dr. Kai Tan from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – Title: Gene Regulation in healthy and malignant hematopoietic stem cells.
  • Dr. Clay Jackson-Litteken from the University of Arkansas – Title: Development of novel models of Acinetobacter baumanni pulmonary pathogenesis.
  • Dr. Russ Altman from Stanford University – Title: Deep learning on local sites for protein structure and function analysis.
  • Dr. Adam Isabella from the University of Minnesota – Title: Establishment and execution of regeneration-specific axon guidance programs.
  • Dr. Carlos Carmona-Fontaine from New York University – Title: Cooperation and competition for nutrients in the tumor microenvironment.
  • Dr. Katrina Claw from the University of Colorado – Anschutz – Title: TBD
 

Graduate Student Speakers:

To be added after the form is filled out.

Agenda:

All events are in the lobby of JSCBB and talks in Butcher Auditorium.

  • 8:30am-9am:    Pastries & Coffee
  • 9am-9:10am: Intro & Welcome
  • 9:10-9:45am: Dr. Adam Isabella: Establishment and execution of regeneration-specific axon guidance programs.
  • 9:50-10:20am: Dr. Clay Jackson-Litteken: Development of novel models of Acinetobacter baumanni pulmonary pathogenesis
  • 10:20-10:30am:   Coffee Break
  • 10:30-11:20am: Grad Student Talks
  • 11:25-12pm: Dr. Russ B. Altman: Deep learning on local sites for protein structure and function analysis.
  • 12-1pm:   Lunch
  • 1-1:35pm: Dr. Carlos Carmona-Fontaine: Cooperation and competition for nutrients in the tumor microenvironment.
  • 1:40-2:05pm: Dr. Katrina Claw: TBD
  • 2:05-2:15pm:    Coffee Break
  • 2:15-2:50pm: Dr. Kai Tan: Gene Regulation in healthy and malignant hematopoietic stem cells
  • 2:50-3pm: Closing of Talks
  • 3-4pm:      Poster Session with Refreshments

Allergies or Food constraints? 

  • We will have vegan options available for lunch and snacks. If you have any other food constraints/allergies, please follow below instructions:
    • Graduate student -> Fill out this form if not already.
    • Other or after July 25th? -> Email colin.sempeck@colorado.edu. 

Questions? Contact hope.townsend@colorado.edu.

Past MCDB Graduate Student Symposia:

  • 2019 From the headlines to the lab: how emerging issues steer research
  • 2017 Novel Model Systems: How synthetic biology, organoids, and novel model systems are advancing biology
  • 2015 Emerging Technologies: Innovative approaches and applications in molecular and cellular biology
  • 2012 Translational Science and Medicine
  • 2010 Neuroscience
  • 2008 Infectious Disease and Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • 2006 Stem Cell Biology
  • 2004 Cancer Biology
  • 2002 Genomics and Beyond: DNA tells all?
  • 2000 Astrobiology: Life in the Universe
  • 1999 Programmed Cell Death: Making a Graceful Exit
  • 1998 The Molecular Mechanisms of Cellular Motility
  • 1997 Chromatin Structure and Gene Expression: Beyond the Double Helix
  • 1996 Pattern and Polarity: Establishing Difference in Development
  • 1995 Self vs. Non-Self: Modes of Organismal Recognition
  • 1994 The Human Genome
  • 1993 The Self-Wiring Machine: Development and Functional Organ Systems
  • 1992 Evolution from the inside
  • 1991 Zen and the Art of Cell Cycle Maintenance
  • 1989 Pathogen Strategies: Evasion and Suppression of the Immune System Extraterrestrial Biology
  • 1987 Sex Determination
  • 1985 The Role of Complex Carbohydrates in Cellular Function
  • 1984 Contemporary Research in Plant Biology
  • 1983 Evolution: Shaping Molecules, Microbes, and Complex Organisms
  • 1981 The Accuracy of Biological Processes
  • 1980 Cell Motility
  • 1979 Membranes