Inaugural Immunology Research Symposium a Success
Credit: T. Lee
When Geoffroy Laumet started working at Michigan State University four years ago, he found it difficult to find immunologists to collaborate with.
“The reason is because we do not have a Department of Immunology nor a graduate program,” said the assistant professor in the Department of Physiology. “Immunology researchers are scattered through different departments and colleges. I think immunology research lacks visibility at MSU.”
That thought sparked the idea to create the first Immunology Research Symposium which took place this past semester at the MSU Union Ballroom.
“I think that many of us have had this idea for a long time,” said co-chair of the symposium Margaret Petroff. “The idea for this particular event came up in a discussion between Geoffroy Laumet and I, probably a year ago. I suggested Geoffroy propose a symposium and talk with potential donors, and he took the bull by the horns.”
Credit: T. Lee
Registration for the event exceeded expectations that the venue location was changed to accommodate the number of participants.
“Initially, I expected 50 to 70 people,” said Laumet who was also co-chair of the symposium. “We got more than 200 people.”
Participants were treated to a day of research talks and presentations from faculty and trainees representing all MSU biomedical colleges. Mark Kaplan, Chairperson of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Indiana University School of Medicine, was selected as the keynote speaker.
A panel of judges selected the best poster in three divisions among undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral MSU students. The Department of Physiology had a strong showing taking wins in both undergraduate and graduate categories.
Credit: T. Lee
Physiology major Lizzy O’Guin won the undergraduate division for her research poster which focused on the impact of androgen hormones on interleukin-10 production in inflamed skin and their role in alleviating pain.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever gotten an award for my research,” said O’Guin who graduated last semester and plans to pursue a career in medicine. “It means a lot because I’ve been working very hard, and I’ve been proud of myself the entire time. It feels goodfor other people to be proud of me. It gives me more validation in my choices and tells me I am good at this.”
Nicholas Giacobbi took home the top honors in the graduate division for his research poster on novel immunotherapy for human papillomavirus or (HPV)-positive cancer. The DO/Ph.D. candidate in the Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology graduate program says the best part about winning such honors are the opportunities that comes with it.
Credit: T. Lee
“I get to talk to people and collaborate during these poster sessions,” Giacobbi said. “This just gets me the exposure so I can educate others about the research we’re doing and find new connections to enrich it.”
Looking ahead, the resounding success of the inaugural Immunology Research Symposium has already set the stage for its return. Plans are brewing to include more institutions, rotate hosting location between MSU and Henry Ford Health, and even possibly making it a regional meeting to garner NIH support Petroff said.
“To many of us, this event represents a start to forming a community of immunologists at MSU as well as Henry Ford Health,” said Petroff who’s a professor and the associate chairperson in the Department of Pathology and Diagnostic Investigation. “We all knew we were everywhere but nowhere at the same time. This was an opportunity to gather together as a unified group and discuss science, training opportunities, and collaborations.”
Courtesy graphic
