2025 Winter Neurodegeneration Summit
The Winter Neurodegeneration Summit will highlight research conducted by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at Van Andel Institute and Michigan State University. It will feature trainee talks, a poster session and ample networking opportunities.
This event is open only to VAI and MSU faculty, trainees and staff. For more information on VAI’s other scientific events, please visit our Events page here or contact Courtney Zirkle to be added to our email list.
- 8:00 a.m. Breakfast and registration
- 9:00 a.m. Scientific talks
- 10:15 a.m. Coffee break
- 10:30 a.m. Scientific talks
- 11:30 a.m. Poster session
- 12:30 p.m. Lunch
- 2:00 p.m. Scientific talks
- 2:45 p.m. Coffee break
- 3:00 p.m. Scientific talks
- 4:00 p.m. Closing remarks and award presentation
- 4:30 p.m. Networking hour
What if I need additional accommodations?
Please contact Courtney Zirkle to discuss any special accommodation needs.
How do I submit my abstract to be considered for an oral presentation?
Attendees will have the opportunity to be considered for an oral presentation. Please indicate if you would like to be considered for an oral presentation during the registration process. The deadline to submit an abstract for consideration is Jan. 10, 2025.
Code of Conduct Guidelines
We are dedicated to providing a harassment-free, non-discriminatory symposium experience for all participants, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, pregnancy, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other personal characteristics covered by applicable law. We will not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. We expect participants at our events to engage in constructive and professional discussions at all times. Harassment can include unwelcomed attention, inappropriate comments or jokes that refer to gender differences, sexual topics, requests for dates, or other sexual activities as well as the use of language that may demean or degrade individuals. These behaviors are not appropriate for any of our conference venues, including talks, workshops, networking sessions, poster sessions, social networking platforms, and other online media platforms. Any participant violating these guidelines will be removed from the symposium at the discretion of the conference organizers.
Anyone who has experienced the above, or who has witnessed such behavior, should notify Courtney Zirkle. Anonymous reporting may also be done through the EthicsPoint Hotline.
Submitted abstracts should represent original research. The title should be brief and descriptive, and the body should include rationale, methods and results. Please prepare abstracts using the below template.
Attendees will have the opportunity to be considered for an oral presentation. Please indicate if you would like to be considered for an oral presentation during the registration process.
Abstract submission
Poster abstracts should be submitted during the registration process.
Questions?
Questions regarding abstract submission, posters, or the poster session can be directed to Courtney Zirkle.
Abstract Format
TITLE OF ABSTRACT IN ALL CAPS (STYLE = TITLE)
Presenting Author1,2, Other Author1, and Last Author1,3 (Style = Authors)
1First Dept., Institution, City, State, Country, 2Second Dept., Institution, City, State, Country, and 3Last Dept., Institution, City, State, Country (Style = Affiliations)
Body of abstract should be 300 words or less. Define each abbreviation at first use. Font should be Arial, 11 pt. and text should be single-spaced. Submitted files should be Word documents document (.doc or .docx) with the filename formatted as: lastname_abstract. (Style = Body)
Example
THE ROLE OF A-SYNUCLEIN IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE PATHOLOGY
Jane Smith1 and Joe Jones2
1Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States, and 2 Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
The pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is protein-rich, intraneuronal inclusions known as Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, which are composed primarily of aggregates of misfolded a-synuclein (a-syn) protein. Recent studies suggest…
Van Andel Institute
Thomas is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the lab of Dr. Michael Henderson at Van Andel Institute. Thomas’s research focuses on the molecular alterations induced by misfolded α-synuclein through both wet lab and bioinformatics/-omics-based approaches. Prior to his Ph.D., Thomas received his Bachelor’s degree in psychology and Master’s degree in cellular and molecular biology from Grand Valley State University.
Van Andel Institute
Vanessa Howland is a Ph.D. candidate in Dr. Darren Moore’s lab at the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. The Moore Lab studies the molecular pathophysiology of inherited Parkinson’s disease. Vanessa’s current research focuses on understanding how mutations in genes linked to inherited Parkinson’s disease disrupt neuronal function and lead to neurodegeneration, with a particular interest in the role of endolysosomal dysfunction and impaired cellular trafficking on Parkinson’s pathogenesis.
Michigan State University
Mike Kubik graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2014 with a B.S. in biomedical sciences with a chemistry minor, and a B.A. in Russian studies. He worked as a research technician in Michigan State University’s Translational Neuroscience Department under the tutelage of Dr. Nicholas Kanaan from 2016-2018, and under Dr. Caryl Sortwell from 2018-2021. He completed a graduate certificate in medical neuroscience at Michigan State between 2020-2021 before being accepted into their neuroscience Ph.D. program. The focus of his work has been therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders. His dissertation work investigates the impact of a novel pharmaceutical ROCK inhibitor in models of synucleinopathy. Concurrently, he is working on a project that repurposes Terazosin, an FDA-approved drug used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, in models of Parkinson’s disease. Mike enjoys spending his free time with his cat, Pushkin, and his dog, Puddles.
Michigan State University
Brishti White holds a B.S. in psychology and biology with a neuroscience emphasis and an M.S. in clinical and translational science. With over seven years of research experience, her work has explored traumatic brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases and immune system dynamics. Brishti has published in journals such as Experimental Neurology and the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, and is contributing author of a Springer Nature book chapter. Currently pursuing her Ph.D. at Michigan State University, Brishti investigates how MHC-II-positive microglia drive inflammation and neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease. Utilizing antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) technology to target CIITA, her research aims to mitigate neuroinflammation and reduce immune cell recruitment. Brishti is also deeply passionate about science outreach. She co-created the Feed Our Brains philanthropic campaign to combat childhood food insecurity while in undergrad and has led numerous neuroscience educational initiatives, engaging thousands of community members and fostering public interest in brain science. In her free time, Brishti enjoys honing her landscape photography skills, traveling, hiking, white water rafting, live music, and spending time with friends and family.
Event Details
Contact Info:
Email: Courtney Zirkle