Events

K Awards: A Path to Success is a combined web-based course (5hrs) and livestream workshop (6hrs) that will familiarize participants with the fundamentals of successful K award applications. This workshop will take place in two parts: a required online, asynchronous web-based course (4-5 hours total) followed by the livestream, 6-hour online training. Participants will be given access to the web-based course about two weeks before the live training.  By the end of the workshop, participants will be familiar with the following topics: K Program Goals and Expectations Types of K Awards: Which Is Right for You? Timing: When to Submit Your K Application K Award Application Preparation and Considerations K Award Application Evaluation: How K Awards are Evaluated and Scored Principles of Great K Applications Selling Yourself as a K Applicant Selling Your Science Synthesizing the Full K Story One round of written feedback for a Specific Aims page will be made available to all attendees for up to 2 months after the workshop, at no additional cost.  Audience and Requirements This workshop targets researchers who have submitted or will be submitting a K award application or are thinking about submitting a K award application within six months to one year from the workshop date. There are a few requirements to attend this training: Participants must complete the web-based course (consisting of online videos and activities) prior to the livestream training session. Participants will be given access to this module about two weeks before the live training, and will take about 4-5 hours to complete.  While this workshop targets trainees, it is unsuitable for pre-doctoral students. All participants must have completed a PhD, MD, and/or DVM. Participants will be asked to send a draft Specific Aims page to instructors to receive initial feedback ahead of the workshop, and have their draft aims (whether their real or ‘disguised’ research) seen* by others in attendance. *Hands-on activities will use participant aims pages, and we therefore request that all participants respect the confidentiality of other attendees. Any participant who prefers not to share their research ideas may create a mock aims page to use during the training. Additional Information Subscribe for updates on new training details and registration deadlines. Contact the K Awards Training team. Capacity is limited. Paid registration is required to attend. 

The Herbert and Florence Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics will continue its seminar series on the topic of mathematical sciences underpinning cancer research. The monthly seminars take place on the second Wednesday of the month, 2:00-3:00 PM EST. The presentations are open to the Columbia community (in person and online) and to researchers outside Columbia (via Zoom). On Wednesday, September 10th (2:00 PM ET), IICD welcomes Dr. Le Cong, Assistant Professor of Pathology and of Genetics at Stanford University. Seminar hosted by Dr. Jellert Gaublomme. The seminar will take place in person in Schermerhorn Hall 603 (Morningside Heights campus). If you wish to attend the seminar remotely, please register using the following link: https://columbiauniversity.zoom.us/meeting/register/2es8nIUDS2GkvzxTm4tfjw Title: AI-Powered Genome Technology for Tracking Cancer Evolution and Immune Resistance Abstract: Recent advances in gene-editing and single-cell multi-omics have opened new frontiers in understanding cancer evolution and immune escape mechanisms. This talk will present our development of machine learning-optimized CRISPR tools that enable simultaneous perturbation and lineage tracing at unprecedented precision. Using melanoma as a model system, we have leveraged these tools to uncover mechanisms of drug resistance and immune evasion. Specifically, our work reveals how EZH2 and other epigenetic regulators influence melanoma evolution. Additionally, I will discuss our recent work in tracking natural killer (NK) cell-mediated tumor killing through multi-omics approaches and the development of CRISPR-GPT, an AI-powered platform for automated genome engineering. These integrated technologies provide new insights into cancer-immune interactions and suggest novel therapeutic strategies for overcoming treatment resistance. Bio: Le Cong is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Pathology and Genetics at Stanford. His lab pioneers scalable gene-editing and gene insertion technologies for gene and cell therapy by integrating insights from metagenomics, computational biology, and high-throughput engineering. Leveraging single-cell functional screening and multi-omics approaches, his group elucidates the molecular mechanisms underpinning cancer and immunological diseases. Recently, they have focused on harnessing AI and machine learning to design and evolve gene-editing proteins and RNAs, thereby accelerating the discovery of druggable targets for immune therapeutics across cancer and other human diseases. If you would like to meet one-on-one (possibly via Zoom) or attend the lunch or dinner with the speaker, please contact the event organizer.

Program Overview
 IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL CONFERENCE Columbia University Medical Center invites you to join the leading clinician-educators from Columbia University, addressing current and future breakthroughs in Lupus Note: In-person registration includes light breakfast and lunch Learning Objectives Understand Current Guidelines and Advances in Lupus Nephritis Explore the latest guidelines for diagnosing and managing lupus nephritis, along with insights into emerging research and therapeutic approaches. Assess the Role of CAR T Cell Therapy in Autoimmune Diseases Analyze the mechanisms, applications, and evolving landscape of CAR T cell therapy, particularly in autoimmune diseases like lupus  Integrate Artificial Intelligence and Novel Technologies in Lupus Care Examine the potential of AI, virtual reality, and advanced imaging technologies to transform lupus diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment strategies. Identify Genetic and Immunophenotypic Predictors of Lupus Outcomes Evaluate the impact of genetic and immunophenotypic markers on predicting renal disease and guiding personalized treatment approaches in lupus. Explore Innovations and Challenges in Lupus Clinical Trials Review cutting-edge therapies and strategies in lupus clinical trials, focusing on cardiovascular disease, immunophenotyping, and novel treatment targets. Video Access Following the program, all registrants will have access to lecture video recordings for ONE month.

The summit aims to provide a comprehensive platform for healthcare professionals, researchers, and specialists to discuss recent developments in the field of advanced lung disease, including state-of-the-art therapies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the latest diagnostic and treatment approaches to interstitial lung disease (ILD), novel treatments for cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF bronchiectasis, lung cancer, asthma, and multi-modality management of pulmonary hypertension (PH). We will highlight the importance of multi-disciplinary care of these complex patients with medical co-morbidities, including advanced therapies for lung disease (ECMO, LVRS, BLVR, atrial septostomy, Potts shunt) and the key therapeutic role of lung transplantation. By highlighting the latest research and technological advancements, the program seeks to enhance understanding and collaboration within the medical community. We will employ interactive presentations, including case discussions and a mock multi-disciplinary team meeting, with audience participation through audience response elements embedded into the lectures.