Biology Across Scales

Annual Research Symposium

Thursday, November 5, 2026 - From Molecules to Mind
DLR 131

Program

Time	Session / description
8:00–8:30 AM	Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30–8:45 AM	Welcome — Peristera Paschou, Head, Department of Biological Sciences
8:45–10:15 AM	Research Session I- From Molecules to Populations: Adaptation, Health, and Discovery Tong Wang, Assistant Professor- Deep learning, dietary responses, metabolomics Geyu Zhou, Assistant Professor- Temporal variation in genetic variants across US birth cohorts Qingyi Zhong, PhD Student- From mind to body: Shared genetic architecture of psychiatric and other medical disorders Shreya Bhattacharya, Postdoctoral Scholar- Novel insights into pathogen-driven lung inflammation Ximena Bernal, Professor- Interaural vector differences: An unrecognized mechanism for spatial sound localization Traven Cargill, PhD Student- Removing abstraction from Graphical Abstracts: Exploring Prompting Strategies and Graphical Abstract Construction through the use of Generative AI
10:15–10:30 AM	Break
10:30 AM–12:00 PM	Research Session II- From Molecules to Mind: Mechanisms of Health and Disease Richard Kuhn, Professor- Antibodies and viral infection Claudio Aguilar, Professor- Lowe Syndrome: Biochemistry & Therapeutic Opportunities Shams Mowafak Saad, PhD Student- Nexilin and asymmetric meiotic division Uttara Jayashankar, PhD Student- Decoding clinical mutations of GCH1 in dopa-responsive dystonia Matt Tegtmeyer, Assistant Professor- A coordinated astrocyte–neuron program is pharmacologically and genetically accessible Kevin Cragg, PhD Student- Understanding the role of spontaneous theta rhythms in visual familiarity
12:00–1:00 PM	Lunch & Trainee Networking Lunch Graduate students, postdocs, and undergraduate researchers with BSAAC members and alumni Groups. Registration required.
1:00–1:45 PM	Karling Lecture (live streaming in DLR 131) György Buzsáki, M.D., Ph.D. – “ How do we select and remember our memories?” Biggs Professor of Neural Sciences, NYU Neuroscience Institute Member, National Academy of Sciences
1:45–2:00 PM	Break
2:00–3:45 PM	Tessman Rising Stars Session Owen Andrews – “Optical Pooled Screening in Human Neurons: Mapping Genetic Modifiers of ALS/FTD Phenotypes at Genome Scale” Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Jingkun Guo - "A versatile platform for two-photon neuronal population voltage imaging" The Rockefeller University Ning Shen – “Developing neuroprotective strategies for retinal degeneration with in vivo CRISPR screen” Washington University in St. Louis Shijie Wang - "Is Death a One-Way Street? Time Will Tell." Gladstone Institutes and the University of California, San Francisco
3:45–5:30 PM	Poster Session & Reception — Graduate and undergraduate research posters

Additional research speakers and presentation titles will be announced as the program is finalized. Schedule subject to change.

Alumni & Trainee Networking Lunch

12:00–1:00 PM : DLR 131

Connect with Purdue Biological Sciences alumni, faculty, members of our Biological Sciences Alumni Advisory Council (BSAAC), graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and undergraduate researchers. This special networking lunch offers an opportunity to exchange experiences, explore career pathways, share professional advice, and build connections across generations of the Biological Sciences community.

Students, postdoctoral researchers, and alumni are encouraged to sign up by November 2 through the symposium registration form. Advance registration required.

Poster Session & Reception

3:45–5:30 PM | Explore graduate and undergraduate research posters, meet the researchers, and join the symposium reception. Posters will be judged by BSAAC members and faculty, with poster awards.

Visitor information

Location: Hall for Discovery and Learning Research, Room 131, 207 S. Martin Jischke Dr., West Lafayette, IN, 47907. Accessibility: Please indicate accommodation needs in registration or contact, or any questions: biology@purdue.edu.

Support the Next Generation of Biologists

Inspired by the research and students featured at the symposium? Consider making a gift to support the Purdue Biological Sciences Excellence Fund.

Make a Gift