NIH Early–Career Investigator Lectures

Lecture Session I — Meet the IRS!

…That's the other IRS, the NIH Independent Research Scholars (IRS). IRS program scholars are independent, non-tenure track principal investigators selected for their readiness to conduct independent research and their commitment to enhancing diversity within the biomedical workforce. Divided into two lecture sessions (Lecture Session I & IV), we will feature 12 IRS PIs in all, each providing a 15-minute snapshot of their research. Join us for this first session with six IRS PIs. 

Chairs: Parinaz Fathi, Ph.D., NIBIB and Tokunbor Lawal, Ph.D., FNP-BC, NINR

Speakers:

• Andrew Kesner, Ph.D., NIAAA

  • Elucidating the Role of Medial Septum Glutamate Neurons in Reward-Seeking Behaviors

• Carrie Mae Long, Ph.D., NIAID
  • From Allergy to lipopolysaccharide: Modeling Coxiella burnetii-host Interactions for an Improved Q Fever Vaccine
• Emily E. Ricotta, Ph.D., M.Sc., NIAID

  • Turning Data into Science with the Epidemiology and Data Management Unit

• Oyebola Oyesola, DVM, Ph.D. (NIAID)

  • Helminth Exposure Protects Against Murine SARS-CoV-2 Infection Through Macrophage-Dependent T Cell Activation

• Shaun Abrams, D.D.S, Ph.D., NIDCR

  • Central Role of Centrioles: Tissue-specific Requirements for Coordinating Facial Development

• Mary Diaz Santana, Ph.D., NIEHS
  • Title TBD

Lecture Session II — Meet the ACI!

This is the first of two lecture sessions (Lecture Session II & III) to feature clinician scientists in the Assistant Clinical Investigator (ACI) program. The ACI program provides clinical investigators with advanced mentoring, independent resources, and added time to expand their scientific talents, knowledge, and research as they prepare to be competitive to apply for a tenure-track position at NIH or elsewhere. Come learn about their exciting research and direct patient-related activities right here in the NIH Clinical Center. This session will feature four ACIs each providing a 20-minute presentation of their work. 

Moderator: Takeo Fujii, M.D., M.P.H., NCI

Speakers: 

• Blake Warner, D.D.S., Ph.D., M.P.H., NIDCR

  • Applied 'Omics Identifies Targeted Therapies for Autoimmune Disease

• Sara K. Inati, M.D., NINDS

  • Tracking Seizure Spread in the Brain

• Lisa J. McReynolds, M.D., Ph.D., NCI

  • Moving from Family Studies to Populations: Cancer Risk in Fanconi Anemia

• Desmond Brown, M.D., Ph.D., NINDS
  • Primary Cilia: Exploitable Glioblastoma Signaling Hubs

Lecture Session III — Meet the ACI! (part 2 of 2) 

This is the second of two lecture sessions (Lecture Session II & III) to feature clinician scientists in the Assistant Clinical Investigator (ACI) program. Come learn about their exciting research and direct patient-related activities right here in the NIH Clinical Center. This session will feature four more ACIs each providing a 20-minute presentation of their work. 

Moderator: An N. Dang Do, M.D., Ph.D., NICHD

Speakers: 

• Padma Sheila Rajagopal, M.D., M.P.H., M.Sc., NCI

  • Defining, Identifying, and Testing the Impact of Germline-Somatic Interactions in Breast Cancer

• Ramya Ramaswami, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., NCI

  • Cancers in People with HIV

• Samira M. Sadowski, M.D., NCI

  • Targeting Epigenetic Drivers of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Progression

• An N. Dang Do, M.D., Ph.D., NICHD

  • Deep Phenotyping, Biomarker and Pathway Discoveries in a Pediatric Neurodegenerative Condition

Lecture Session IV — Meet the IRS! (part 2 of 2) 

This session is a continuation of Lecture Session I, in which we feature NIH Independent Research Scholars (IRS). Join us for these 15-minute snapshots concerning the research of six more IRS PIs. 

Chairs: Parinaz Fathi, Ph.D., NIBIB and Tokunbor Lawal, Ph.D., FNP-BC, NINR

Speakers:

• Jessica Madrigal, Ph.D., M.S., NCI

  • Characterization of Industrial Pollution Exposures: New Strategies for Studies of Cancer Risk and Disparities

• Alex Montiel Ishino, Ph.D., M.P.H., NIEHS

  • Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio Health Study: Preliminary Findings and Epidemiological Implications

• Yukiko Yano, Ph.D., M.P.H., NCI

  • The Human Oral Microbiome and Mortality in Three Prospective Cohort Studies

• Tasha A. Morrison, Ph.D., NIAMS

  • Essential Role of UGCG for Natural Killer Cell Homeostasis and Cytolytic Function

• Philip Patrick Adams, Ph.D., NICHD

  • Regulation of B. burgdorferi Motility: Consequences for Infectivity

• Portia Gough, Ph.D., NIAID 

  • Mechanistic Insights Into Host-Commensal Interactions with Roseomonas mucosa