GSI Research Symposium
Welcome to the 18th Annual GSI Research Symposium
November 13, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
In-Person (L-14 Hiebert Lounge)
The Annual GSI Research Symposium is an interdisciplinary event emphasizing research in Genetics and Genomics at Boston University, across both the Medical Campus and the Charles River Campus. Participation is open to all Boston area researchers with interests that emphasize these disciplines.
Abstract Submissions are due by Oct 4th, 2026. Please visit: https://www.bumc.bu.edu/gsi/initiatives/research-symposium/symposium-submissions/
Schedule
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Trainees’ Lightning Talks
Ten Harder
Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, CRC
Investigating the Roles of Schizophrenia Associated Genes on Synaptic Dysfunction and Symptomology
Irena Feng
Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, MED
A Novel Cell Culture Model of Vulnerable Entorhinal Cortex Layer II Neurons in Alzheimer’s Disease
Amritha Vinayak Manjally
Department of Biology, MED
Microglial State Changes and Sex Difference in Response to Neurodegeneration
Jeffrey Sheridan
Department of Oncology and Hematology, MED
Osteosarcoma Lung Metastases Demonstrate Independent Evolutionary Trajectories within a Constrained Architectural Niche
Sanjana Bhagavatula
Department of Genetics & Genomics, MED
Dissecting the Mechanisms of Age-Associated Alternative Splicing in Head and Neck Cancer
Isabel Kaplan
Department of Genetics & Genomics, MED
Zebrafish erf Mutation Reveals Evolutionarily Conserved Mechanisms Underlying Craniosynostosis
If you are interested in presenting a 10 minute talk, please submit an application with this Submission Form or contact gsi@bu.edu for more information.
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Dean’s Address & Poster Session & Lunch
Dean’s Address:
Dr. Hee-Young Park
Interim Dean, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. New Faculty Talks
Invited GSI Faculty Talks:
Dr. John Misasi
Department of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology
Antibody Responses to RSV Vaccination: Implications for Understanding Immunity to RSV
Dr. Nikolaos P. Daskalakis
Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics
Systems Biology Dissection of Stress Related Brain Disorders: Across Brain Regions, Cell Types, and Blood
Dr. Erica D. Pratt
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Multimodal Tools for Minimally Invasive Tumor Profiling
Dr. Daniel Taub
Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics
Heterogeneity in Small Fiber Neuropathy: At the Intersection of Aging and Genetics
If you are interested in presenting a 15 minute talk at the symposium, please contact gsi@bu.edu for more information.
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Closing Remarks
Admera Health
Illumina
BioTechne
Thermofisher
10x Genomics
NEB
Qiagen
Azenta Genomics
Bio-Rad
Watchmaker
Short “Lightning” Talks Presentations for Students/Postdocs/Staff and New BU Genomics/Genetics faculty
Please note there is limited space open for these talks
A select number of abstract submissions from students, postdoctoral fellows and research staff will be chosen for short talk presentations. If you would like to be a presenter, and you are not interested in being considered for the Grand Sequencing Award, please indicate so on the Submission Form by selecting the appropriate response from the drop down menu.
- In addition to recognition from the GSI, short talk presentations will also be eligible for an honorarium award.
- Lightning talks will be 10 minutes in length (including questions). Invited speakers will have 20 minute talks with 2 min questions.
Poster Session
There will be a poster session for students, both undergraduate and graduate, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty. Participants may be from any institution and not just Boston University.
To present a poster, please fill out the online Submission Form.
- Students and postdoctoral fellows who present posters will be eligible for sequencing awards. These awards will be decided by a poster review committee on the day of the symposium.
- The preferred poster size is 4ft x 4ft. If you would like to request additional space for your poster, please email gsi@bu.edu at least two weeks prior to the symposium.
Past GSI Research Symposiums