Scientists Swap Studies and Stories at CDI Research Day 2024

Thought leaders present findings, exhibit research posters, ask questions, and award prizes at Hackensack Meridian Health’s Center for Discovery and Innovation.

It was a day of illumination for researchers at Research Day 2024, the inaugural annual symposium held in the main auditorium of Hackensack Meridian Health’s Center for Discovery and Innovation (HMH-CDI).

The event was conceived to provide a platform for postdocs, research associates, and other laboratory staff to present their research findings and to update colleagues on all the great work going on within the CDI. In total, 21 posters and six oral talks attracted a standing-room-only crowd. 

The event was highlighted by the presentation of keynote speaker, Christine Iacobuzio-Donahue, MD., Ph.D., the David M. Rubenstein Center Chair for Pancreatic Cancer Research, and Director of the Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who presented her research into evolutionary biomarkers of pancreatic cancer, unveiling her findings as they pertained to progression and outcome of the deadly disease.

“Dr. Iacobuzio-Donahue is world-renowned for her previous and continued work in pancreatic cancer genetics and genomics,” said CDI Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Vice President David Perlin, Ph.D. “We were honored to have her not only attend and present, but to see her as a personification of the leadership and excellence in scientific research we pursue each and every day.”

The organizers of the event were: Claire Carter, Ph.D., assistant member of the CDI; Erika Shor, Ph.D., assistant member of the CDI; Alvin Makohon-Moore, Ph.D., assistant member of the CDI; and Madhuvika Murugan, Ph.D.

Primarily a show of internal research, a panel of judges selected Dr. Vijeta Sharma, Ph.D., senior research associate in the Perlin Laboratory, with the Best Oral Presentation Award for the event.  As first author and presenter, she discussed research uncovering differences in virus pathogenicity, immune responses and lung inflammation caused by the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.

“SARS-CoV-2 is still evolving, so continued study into this virus and its variants is essential,” said Dr. Makohon-Moore. “Being proactive in studying this virus will enable us to react with maximum efficiency and effectiveness as it continues to mutate.” 

Taking in a day of oral presentations with exhibits of 21 poster presentations covering topics from coronaviruses, to cancer, to bacterial and invasive fungal infection, CDI Research Day 2024 was regarded as a success by those who took part.

“This event was long anticipated, and it’s a great showing of the CDI’s expertise across a wide range of health challenges,” said Dr. Carter. 

“We are encouraged by the success of this inaugural CDI Research Day and are looking forward to making it a yearly event,” added Dr. Shor.

“It’s vital to share our research together regularly,” said Dr. Perlin. “Through such events as today, we discover opportunities to collaborate across common themes of study, while celebrating the diligence and discoveries of our esteemed colleagues.”