MECHANISMS OF DISEASE RESEARCH & RECRUITMENT CONFERENCE
August 4 - 6, 2022
Children's Mercy Park - Kansas City, KS
Discover research advancements, career opportunities, and entry points into industry companies.
Speaker Lineup
Coming Spring 2022
SCIENTIFIC SESSION TOPICS
Disease & Development
Rare Diseases
Infectious Disease
Genetic Mechanisms
Developmental Genetics & Signaling
Epigenetic Regulation of Gene Expression
Chromosomal & Genome Stability
Computational Biology
Drugs & Pharmacology
Drug Design
Delivery of Molecules & Biologics
Bioanalytical Chemistry
Pharmacology
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Dr. Brian D. Ackley
Jace Allen
Dr. Thomas Beadnell
Chiswili Yves Chabu
Dr. Ana Cohen
Julie Deane
Dr. Michay Diez
Austin Gowen
Leena Kader
Daniel Lopez
Hannah Miller
Molly Muehlebach
Dr. Jamie Nutt
Dana Rademacher
Allison Schweiker
Griffin Welfer
Dr. Doug Wright
Dr. Erin E. Young
Dr. David Akinbo
Asha Rankoth Arachchige
Alice Bedois
Dr. Cynthia Chen
Dr. Giovanna Collu
Gabriel da Silva Pescador
Dr. Zachary Fischer
Rex Hafenstine
Abigail Kreznor
Eric Lundstrom
Dr. Daniel Montezano
Bryan Murphy
Prabhavie Opallage
Dr. Jennifer Radosevich
Dr. Olivia Veatch
Valerie Welter
Dr. Gerald Wyckoff
Dr. Bing Zhang
Nadia Alissa
Samalee Banerjee
Luciana Castellano
Dr. Michael Coe
Lauren Conaway
Manisha Diaz
Chamandi Dampalla Gamachchige
Komal Hatti
Dr. Nuria Lara
Hyma Mandapaka
Mai Mostafa
Karen Ninemire
Nadia Patterson
Benjamin Ryan
Sridhar Vemulapalli
Jim West
Dr. Pravin Yeapuri
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Thursday, August 4
1:00-2:00 pm
Registration
Location: UMB Premium Entry
2:00-3:30 pm
Drugs & Pharmacology
Location: Executive Lounge
2:00-3:15 pm
Genetic Mechanisms
Location: Shield Club
2:00 pm
Monocyte biomarkers define sargramostim treatment outcomes for Parkinson’s disease
- Mai Mostafa - University of Nebraska Medical Center
2:15 pm
Development of an extended half-life GM-CSF fusion protein for Parkinson’s disease
- Pravin Yeapuri - University of Nebraska Medical Center
2:30 pm
Two Novel, Peptide-Based Nanoparticle Carrier Platforms for Delivery of Nucleic Acid Constructs and Traditional Hydrophobic Small Molecule Active Ingredients
- Dr. Michael Coe - Phoreus Biotechnology, Inc.
2:45 pm
Disease Profiling & Delivery of Molecules and Biologics through Extracellular Vesicles
- Jim West, Clara Biotech
3:00 pm
The effects of novel GGDPS inhibitor RAM2061 on pre-osteoclasts and mature osteoclasts in vitro
- Molly Muehlebach - University of Nebraska Medical Center
2:00 pm
iCodon: Harnessing mRNA Stability to Customize Gene Expression
- Michay Diez - Stowers Institute for Medical Research
2:15 pm
Genome wide gene expression and chromatin accessibility discovery at single cell resolution
- Dr. Cynthia Chen - Stowers Institute for Medical Research
2:30 pm
Using Machine Learning to Predict Subcellular Morphology of Endothelial Cells: Gaining insight into the Mechanisms of Disease through Mechanobiology
- Rex Hafenstine - Wichita State University
2:45 pm
Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
- Dr. Daniel Montezano - University of Kansas
3:00 pm
NMR Structural and Dynamics Studies of an Insect Cytokine-like Stress Responsive Peptide
- Hannah Miller - Kansas State University
3:15 pm
The Impact of Avpr1a Expression and Host-Microbiome Interactions on Visceral Hypersensitivity.
- Leena Kader - University of Kansas Medical Center
3:30-4:00 pm
Keynote
Location: Shield Club
Keynote
- Lauren Conaway - InnovateHER KC
4:00-6:30 pm
Poster Session & Refreshments
Location: UMB Premium Entry & Shield Club
Session 1 – Even Numbered Abstracts
4:00 – 5:15 pm
100 Investigating codon-dependent regulation of host gene expression during Dengue infection
- Luciana Castellano - Luciana Castellano
102 Characterizing structural deviations between essential lipoprotein chaperone homologs in the periplasm
- Bryan Murphy - University of Kansas Medical Center
104 Design and synthesis of 3-chymotrypsin like protease inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2
- Emmanuel Ajiboye - Wichita State University
106 The Tyrosine Hydroxylase in Dopaminergic Neuron Cells Lead to Increased Oxidative Stress and Cell Death by Activation of Acidosis
- Maya Eldani - Wichita State University
108 Mutations in genes involved in nutrient uptake and metabolism destabilize cooperation in the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Blanca Rodriguez - University of Kansas
200 Developing a 3D-Printed Microfluidic Device for Quantitative Analysis of Glioblastoma Migration in Controllable Chemical Gradients
- Abigail Kreznor - Kansas State University
202 Longitudinal Monitoring of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) in Pancreatic Cancer Patients Treated with Novel Therapies
- Ian Freed - University of Kansas
204 Changing non-polar amino acid glycine to polar aspartic acid in LDH and studying its effect on binding constant
- Alisha Bajracharya - Washburn University
206 Resistive-Pulse Sensing of Single Peptide Molecules using Dual In-plane Nanopores
- Maximillian Ifeanyi Chibuike - University of Kansas
208 Monocyte biomarkers define sargramostim treatment outcomes for Parkinson’s disease
- Dr. Mai Mostafa - University of Nebraska Medical Center
210 Utilizing Fluorescence Cross-Correlation Spectroscopy to Study Weak Protein-Micelle Interactions
- Dr. Abegel Freedman - Wichita State University
212 Tumor-derived CCL2 Contributes to Cachexia During Breast Cancer Progression
- Nadia Alissa - University of Kansas Medical Center
300 Role of Estrogen Receptor α in Bone and Muscle Crosstalk across Aging
- Dr. Nuria Lara - University of Missouri-Kansas City
302 Leaving the nest: riddance of maternal proteins for embryonic development
- Gabriel da Silva Pescador - Stowers Institute for Medical Research
304 Sexual Dimorphism: Investigating Genetic Mechanisms in Jaw Bone Development
- Claire Houchen - University of Missouri-Kansas City
306 TGF-ß1 is Associated with Impaired Polymorphonuclear Cell Functions in Sickle Cell Disease
- Dr. David Akinbo - Kansas State University
308 Resolution of Aberrant Gene Targeting Events and Complex Genomic Rearrangements in Mouse Disease Models Using Long Read Sequencing
- Dr. Soumya Rao - University of Missouri-Kansas City
310 The Impact of Avpr1a Expression and Host-Microbiome Interactions on Visceral Hypersensitivity.
- Leena Kader - University of Kansas Medical Center
312 Gene co-expression and machine learning approach to compare SARS-CoV-2 infected tissues in humans
- Sahil Sethi, University of Nebraska Medical Center
314 Quorum Sensing Regulation by the Nitrogen Phosphotransferase System in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Samalee Banerjee - University of Kansas
400 Exercise Attenuates Hindpaw Hypersensitivity, Depression-like Behaviors, and Morphological Changes in the Hippocampus of Mice Exposed to Early Life Stress
- Brittni Levasseur - University of Kansas Medical Center
402 Time-of-Flight Identification of Deoxyribonucleotide Monophosphates (dNMP) Molecules Using Dual In-Plane Nanopore Device
- Khurshed Akabirov - University of Kansas
Session 2 – Odd Numbered Abstracts
5:15 – 6:30 pm
101 Structure-guided Design of Potent and Permeable Inhibitors of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 3C-Like Protease
- Chamandi Dampalla Gamachchige - Wichita State University
103 Identifying the mechanism of PARP14-mediated host interferon response and Coronavirus replication inhibition
- Dr. Srivatsan Parthasarathy - University of Kansas
105 Using XL-MS to identify the palladin-actin binding interface and elucidate palladin’s role in cancer metastasis
- Rachel Klausmeyer - Wichita State University
107 Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 is a serum biomarker to study muscle disease in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy canine model
- Dennis Perez-Lopez - University of Missouri-Columbia
201 Characterization of PET tracer Flutemetamol (GE-067) binding to Aβ1-40 fibrils
- Gayani Wijegunawardena - Wichita State University
203 HRMS/MS-based approach for separation and quantification of amino acids by chemical isotope-labeled Marfey’s reagent
- Nitish Mishra - University of Missouri-Kansas City
205 Neurochemical characterization of Parkinson’s disease model zebrafish
- Piyanka Hettiarachchi - University of Kansas
207 Alcohol/HIV-1 Tat Induced Neurodeficit: Possible Treatment PPAR y Agonist
- Daniel Schwartz - University of Missouri-Kansas City
209 Boronic acid as a versatile handle for enriching cross-linked peptides
- Mitali Thole - Wichita State University
211 Development of a theranostic agent for diagnosis and treatment of high-risk neuroblatoma in children
- Omowumi Akinjole - University of Missouri-Kansas City
213 The effects of novel GGDPS inhibitor RAM2061 on pre-osteoclasts and mature osteoclasts in vitro
- Molly Muehlebach - University of Nebraska Medical Center
215 Direct detection of inorganic ions and underivatized amino acids in biological samples using planer capillary electrophoresis coupled with back- scatter interferometry
- Prabhavie Opallage - University of Kansas
301 Myopalladin charge neutralization mutations affect actin binding
- Asha Rankoth Arachchige - Wichita State University
303 PDCD4 as a biomaker for melanoma brain metastasis
- Dr. Olivia Provance - Yale School of Medicine
305 Regulation of sleep by two cholinergic neurons located in the Ventral Nerve Cord of Drosophila
- Joseph Jones - University of Missouri-Kansas City
307 iCodon: Harnessing mRNA Stability to Customize Gene Expression
- Dr. Michay Diez - Stowers Institute for Medical Research
309 RSL3, a Potential Cell pathogenesis and Ferroptosis driver in the study of SLE
- Kazi Tasmiah Rafsun - University of Nebraska Medical Center
311 – The Role of Cytonemes in Ras-mediated Tumor Overgrowth
- Mar Quereda Pastor - University of Missouri-Columbia
313 Site search process and the mechanism of synaptosome assembly
- Sridhar Vemulapalli - University of Nebraska Medical Center
401 – Impact of Spaceflight and Microgravity on the Glucocorticoid Pathway and Adrenal Gland in mice flown on the International Space Station
- Avanelle Stoltz - University of Kansas Medical Center
403 Defining the interface between palladin and actin using crosslinking mass spectrometry
- David Liu - Wichita State University
6:30 pm
Buses Depart
Location: UMB Premium Entry
Friday, August 5
7:00-8:00 am
Breakfast & Registration
Location: UMB Premium Entry
8:00-8:30 am
Keynote
Location: Executive Lounge
The importance of belonging and inclusion in STEM
- Dr. Giovanna Collu, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
8:30-10:00 am
Genetic Mechanisms
Location: Executive Lounge
8:30-10:00 am
Drugs & Pharmacology
Location: Shield Club
8:30 am
Site search process and the mechanism of synaptosome assembly
- Sridhar Vemulapalli - University of Nebraska Medical Center
8:45 am
TGF-ß1 is Associated with Impaired Polymorphonuclear Cell Functions in Sickle Cell Disease
- Dr. David Akinbo - Kansas State University
9:00 am
Structural Characterization of DNA Polymerase Beta Processing Damaged Nucleosomal DNA
- Benjamin Ryan - University of Kansas Medical Center
9:15 am
Investigating the impact of ribonucleotides in telomeres and their role in human disease
- Griffin Welfer - University of Kansas Medical Center
9:30 am
Usage of Drosophila as a model organism to investigate conserved pathways in insulin signaling
- Dr. Zachary Fischer - University of Missouri-Kansas City
9:45 am
TBA
- Dr. Bing Zhang - University of Missouri
8:30 am
Developing a 3D-Printed Microfluidic Device for Quantitative Analysis of Glioblastoma Migration in Controllable Chemical Gradients
- Abigail Kreznor - Kansas State University
8:45 am
High-density protein cross-linking by combining non-specific cross-linkers to study protein structures by cross-linking mass spectrometry
- Hyma Mandapaka - Wichita State University
9:00 am
Direct detection of inorganic ions and underivatized amino acids in biological samples using planer capillary electrophoresis coupled with back- scatter interferometry
- Prabhavie Opallage - University of Kansas
9:15 am
Tumor-derived CCL2 Contributes to Cachexia During Breast Cancer Progression
- Nadia Alissa - University of Kansas Medical Center
9:30 am
Considerations on the use of machine learning for health science applications; Pharmacovigilance, Cancer Screening, and beyond
- Gerald Wyckoff - University of Missouri - Kansas City
10:00-10:30 am
Coffee Break
Location: The Concourse
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
An Industry of Impact
Location: Executive Lounge
10:30 am
Developing Kansas Talent to Make a Global Impact at Pfizer
- Eric Lundstrom - Pfizer
- Valerie Welter - Pfizer
10:45 am
Transforming Lives through Innovation at Hill’s Pet Nutrition
- Dr. Jennifer Radosevich - Hill's Pet Nutrition
11:00 am
Eurofins-Viracor – Specialty Diagnostics for the most critical patients
- Dr. Thomas Beadnell - Eurofins Viracor
11:15 am
Advancing science and your career at KCAS
- Julie Deane - KCAS Bioanalytical & Biomarker Services
11:30 am
Amgen Talks Biotech
- Daniel Lopez - Amgen
11:45 am
Actalent: Career Partner for Life
- Jace Allen - Actalent
12:00 pm
Our Knowledge, Skill, and Passion begin with YOU!
- Karen Ninemire - Integrated Project Services, LLC
12:15 pm
TBA
- Julie Aust - Children's Mercy Research Institute
12:30 pm – 1:45 pm
Round Table Discussions & Lunch
Location: The Brewhouse
1:45-2:30 pm
Disease & Development
Location: Executive Lounge
1:45 pm
Inclusive and Comprehensive Genomic Medicine for Rare Diseases – the GA4K Experience
- Dr. Ana Cohen - Children's Mercy
2:00 pm
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: A Head Start on Brain Injury
- Austin Gowen - University of Nebraska Medical Center
2:15 pm
- Allison Schweiker - University of Missouri - Kansas City
Characterizing mycobiomes in domestic dogs
2:30-3:00 pm
Coffee Break
Location: The Concourse
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Genetic Mechanisms
Location: Executive Lounge
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Development & Disease
Location: Shield Club
3:00 pm
Genetic determinants of inflammatory hypersensitivity: Identification of novel inflammatory pain genes suggests novel non-opioid therapeutic targets
- Dr. Erin E. Young - University of Kansas Medical Center
3:15 pm
Myopalladin charge neutralization mutations affect actin binding
- Asha Rankoth Arachchige - Wichita State University
3:30 pm
Evolution of the role of Retinoic Acid in vertebrate hindbrain segmentation
- Alice Bedois - Stowers Institute for Medical Research
3:45 pm
Leaving the nest: riddance of maternal proteins for embryonic development
- Gabriel da Silva Pescador - Stowers Institute for Medical Research
4:00 pm
Role of Estrogen Receptor α in Bone and Muscle Crosstalk across Aging
- Dr. Nuria Lara - University of Missouri - Kansas City
4:15 pm
Proteasome Subunit Alpha 2: A Potential Target for Treatment Resistant Prostate Cancer
- Nadia Patterson - University of Missouri-Columbia
4:30 pm
Calculating Genetic Risk for Dysfunction in Pleiotropic Biological Processes Using Whole Exome Sequencing Data
- Dr. Olivia Veatch - University of Kansas Medical Center
4:45 pm
Targeting Drug Resistance Mechanisms in RAS Tumors
- Dr. Chiswili Yves Chabu - University of Missouri
3:00 pm
Characterizing structural deviations between essential lipoprotein chaperone homologs in the periplasm
- Bryan Murphy - University of Kansas Medical Center
3:15 pm
The exon-junction complex factor CASC3 forms phase-separated granules with antiviral activity towards Turnip crinkle virus
- Dana Rademacher - University of Missouri - Kansas City
3:30 pm
Investigating codon-dependent regulation of host gene expression during Dengue infection
- Luciana Castellano - Stowers Institute for Medical Research
3:45 pm
Structure-guided Design of Potent and Permeable Inhibitors of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 3C-Like Protease
- Chamandi Dampalla Gamachchige - Wichita State University
4:00 pm
Quorum Sensing Regulation by the Nitrogen Phosphotransferase System in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Samalee Banerjee - University of Kansas
4:15 pm
How Peripheral Nerves Can Protect Us in Disease
- Dr. Doug Wright - University of Kansas Medical Center
4:30 pm
Age-related Synaptic Degeneration in Nematode Tauopathy Models
- Dr. Brian D. Ackley - University of Kansas
4:45 pm
Innovative Clinical Diagnostics
- Dr. Jamie Nutt - Eurofins Viracor
5:00 pm
iLAB – Intelligent Lean Lab
- Komal Hatti - Integrated Project Services
5:15-5:45 pm
Keynote
Location: Executive Lounge
Harnessing a multi-faceted diagnostic approach to support clinical trials for SARS-COV-2 therapeutic strategies
- Dr. Manisha Diaz - Eurofins Viracor
6:00 pm
Buses Depart
Location: UMB Premium Entry
Saturday, August 6
11:00 am
Doors Open
11:30
Act 1
12:30
Act 2
1:30
Act 3
2:30
Act 4
3:30
Act 5
4:40
Act 6
6:05
Act 7
7:30
Act 8
9:15
Act 9