Dear MET Colleagues,
I am excited to welcome you all to Thompson Island for the 2022 Department of Molecular Metabolism Retreat. We are long overdue for a department-wide day of science and socializing. In recent years, we have welcomed new colleagues, made impactful new discoveries, and faced the challenges of a pandemic with admirable resilience. Today, we come together to share scientific ideas, strengthen our spirit of friendship and collegiality, and celebrate our many achievements. Enjoy this wonderful day of outstanding science and community.
Sincerely,
Brendan D. Manning, PhD
Professor and Acting Chair
Department of Molecular Metabolism
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
*Please note that this schedule is subject to change
8:15 am | Charter Buses Leave from HSPH
FXB Lobby
9:00 am | Ferry Departure to Thompson Island
EDIC Peer (Directions)
9:30 am | Arrival on Thompson Island
Thompson Island Dock
9:30 am | Continental Breakfast
*Breakfast will remain out until 11:00 AM
**Coffee and beverages available throughout the Retreat
Lewis Expedition Center
9:50 am | Opening Remarks
Lewis Expedition Center
Brendan D. Manning, PhD
Professor and Acting Chair
Department of Molecular Metabolism
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
10:05 – 11:05 am | SESSION 1: MET LAB TALKS (15 Minute Talks/ 5 Minute Q&A)
Lewis Expedition Center
Session Moderated by: Zeqiu ‘Branden’ Wang, Graduate Student, Hotamışlıgil Lab
Defining In Vivo the Role of PI3K-mTORC1 Signaling in Mammalian Growth and Metabolism
Yann Cormerais, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Manning Lab
Molecular Mechanisms Linking Epigenetic Changes to Longevity
Carlos Giovanni Silva García, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Mair Lab
Remodeling Lipid Metabolism for Therapeutic Differentiation of H3K27M Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)
Pruthvi Gowda, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Danial Lab
11:05 – 11:15 am | Break
Lewis Expedition Center
11:15 – 11:35 am | SESSION 2: MET LAB TALKS (15 Minute Talks/ 5 Minute Q&A)
Lewis Expedition Center
Session Moderated by: Krystle Kalafut, Graduate Student, Manning Lab
Examining the Role of FABP4/5 in SARS-CoV2 Infection
Hatoon Baazim, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Hotamışlıgil Lab
Dopaminergic IL-13 Regulates Post-prandial Glucose Metabolism
Mayer Chalom, MD/PhD Candidate
Grad Student in the Lee Lab
Insulin Interacts with Niche-derived Signals to Generate Zone-specific Transcriptional Programs and Regulate Bile Acid Metabolism
Joanna Krawczyk
Graduate Student in the Biddinger Lab
Uncovering Hyperglycemia-induced mRNA Translation Control in Pancreatic Beta Cell
Abigael Cheruiyot, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Schaffer Lab
12:35 pm | Lunch and Free Time to Explore Thompson Island and Lawn Games
Waterfront Landing Pavilion
1:55 pm | Department Group Photo
Outside Lewis Expedition Center
2:00 – 3:35 pm | SESSION 3: MET LAB TALKS (15 Minute Talks/ 5 Minute Q&A) and GRADUATE STUDENT LIGHTENING TALKS (5 mins each)
Lewis Expedition Center
Session Moderated by: Samuel Lapp, Graduate Student, Mair Lab
Investigating the Role of Pancreatic MCART1 in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)
Byungsoo Kong, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Kory Lab
Potential Regulatory Mechanisms of FGF21 in Lipid Metabolism
Ozlem Tok, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Hui Lab
Regulation of Intermittent Fasting Longevity via Mitochondrial Plasticity - Lightning Talk
Samuel Lapp
Graduate Student in the Mair Lab
Physiological and Pathological Regulation and Function of TSC-mTORC1 Signaling in the Liver - Lightning Talk
Krystle Kalafut
Graduate Student in the Manning Lab
Investigate the Role of Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 in Adipose Tissue Exosome Formation - Lightning Talk
Zeqiu Branden Wang
Graduate Student in the Hotamışlıgil Lab
The Secrets of Lymph: Preventing Metastasis by Targeting Lipids in the Lymphatic Microenvironment
Jessalyn Ubellacker, PhD
Assistant Professor of Molecular Metabolism
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Department of Molecular Metabolism
3:15 pm | Break
Transition to Waterfront Landing Pavilion
*All remaining activities will take place in this area. Please bring all belongings with you from the Expedition Center
3:25 pm | Career Panel with Q&A
Waterfront Landing Pavilion
Moderated by:
Eva Tsaousidou, PhD
Research Associate in the Hotamisligil Lab
Career Panel:
Prerna Bhargava, PhD
Principal Lecturer and Strategic Program Advisor
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Nora Kory, PhD
Assistant Professor of Molecular Metabolism
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Department of Molecular Metabolism
5:00 pm | Cocktail Reception Starts
Waterfront Landing Pavilion
5:05 pm | First Return Ferry Back to EDIC Peer
Thompson Island Dock
5:30 pm | Clambake on Beach Starts
Waterfront Landing Pavilion
7:15 pm | Final Return Ferry Back to EDIC Peer
Thompson Island Dock
7:45 pm | Charter Buses Leave EDIC Peer Returning to HSPH
EDIC Peer
Thank you to our 2022 MET Department Retreat Planning Committee:
Members:
Henning Arlt, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Hotamışlıgil Lab
Sudha Biddinger, PhD
Principal Investigator
Biddinger Lab
Krystle Kalafut
Graduate Student
Manning Lab
Tom Kelleher
Faculty and Department Coordinator
Nora Kory, PhD
Principal Investigator
Kory Lab
Samuel Lapp
Graduate Student
Mair Lab
Katrina Soriano
Executive Director of Administration
Eva Tsaousidou, PhD
Research Associate
Hotamışlıgil Lab
*This event is supported by the Training Program in Molecular Metabolism [T32DK128781] funded through The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases which is part of the United States National Institutes of Health
