Highlights from the fifth annual Genomics Scientific Retreat

three images showing presenters and participants at the Genomics Scientific Retreat

On December 12, the Precision Genomics Collaboratory convened its fifth annual Genomics Scientific Retreat in the Trent Semans Center Great Hall, bringing together faculty, staff, and trainees from across Duke University for a full day of discovery, dialogue, and connection. The retreat showcased the breadth of genomics research at Duke—from foundational science to clinical translation.

The program featured two keynote speakers at the forefront of the field. Melissa Haendel, PhD, FACMI, Sarah Graham Kenan Distinguished Professor of Genetics and director of the Translational and Integrative Science Laboratory at UNC–Chapel Hill, shared how a phenomics-first approach can accelerate genomic medicine. Her work spans rare diseases, long COVID, Down syndrome, cancer, and pressing public health challenges such as pandemic response and climate change.

Aravind Asokan, PhD, professor of surgery, molecular genetics and microbiology, and biomedical engineering, and director of gene therapy at Duke University School of Medicine, offered a wide-ranging look at the evolution of gene therapy. Tracing his lab’s journey from engineering adeno-associated viruses to RNA-based strategies across diverse tissues and cell types, Asokan highlighted key milestones, persistent challenges, and what lies ahead for the field.

Image collage. Image 1: 4 women at a table, image 2: man at a microphone. Image 3: two women at a table, Image 4: Man stands by scientific poster, Image 5: Woman describes research to a small crowd in front of a scientific poster

Image collage. Image 1: woman stands by scientific poster. Image 2: Woman speaks at a podium. Image 3: Man stands by scientific poster, Image 4: Woman sits at a table asking a question. Image 5: Woman stands in front of scientific poster

Beyond the keynotes, attendees heard brief overviews from five core facility directors and staff, gaining insight into the resources available to support genomics research. The retreat also spotlighted emerging investigators: six trainees and junior faculty delivered oral presentations, and 35 additional researchers shared their work during a poster session.

To recognize outstanding work, the top three oral and poster presenters each received $300 in research support.

Congratulations to the Awardees

Oral Presenters

  • Sam Reisman, PhD candidate, Cell Biology
    Mismatch tolerance in the gRNA seed region drives potent off-target CRISPRa activity

  • Vennesa Valentine, PhD candidate, Pharmacology
    Mouse model to conditionally express a diffuse midline glioma–derived mutation in the oncogenic phosphatase PPM1D

  • Anvita Kulshrestha, PhD candidate, University Program in Genetics and Genomics
    Mitochondrial heterogeneity in sickle cell disease

Poster Presenters

  • Patrick Prochazka, PhD candidate, Molecular Cancer Biology

  • Patrick Rodriguez, Policy Analyst, Duke Margolis Institute for Health Policy

  • Boxun Li, PhD, Postdoctoral Associate, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics

 

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