IMSD Community of Scholars (COS) Distinguished Seminar Series

The IMSD Community of Scholars Distinguished Seminar Series brings together leading experts to explore groundbreaking advancements in biomedical and behavioral sciences. This series provides an invaluable opportunity for students, faculty, and researchers to engage with cutting-edge topics spanning precision therapeutics, tumor suppressor pathways, biomedical applications of lipid-coated particles, and neuroimmune mechanisms in pain research.

These seminars, hosted by the IMSD Community of PhD Scholars, are designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, broaden scientific perspectives and provide insights that complement ongoing research and training. Attendees will participate in thought-provoking discussions, gain exposure to innovative methodologies, and connect with renowned scientists driving advancements in their respective fields.

Seminar events are either hybrid (in-person/virtual) or virtual only. Please review the information below for more details about each seminar event. Whether you are a graduate student, postdoctoral researcher or faculty, these sessions will enrich your understanding of the latest developments in biomedical and behavioral sciences. 

Professor and Chair
Hubert L. Olive Stringer Distinguished Chair in Oncology in Honor of Sue Gribble Stringer
Department of Genetics, Division of Basic Science Research 
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Medicine 

The IMSD PhD Scholars are honored to present this seminar by Dr. Guillermina Lozano, a renowned geneticist recognized for studies of the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. This seminar will focus specifically on the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. The p53 tumor suppressor functions as a transcription factor to activate hundreds of genes. Dr. Lozano’s team has cataloged p53 targets in vivo in several tissues and identified a pan-tissue p53 signature of seven commonly activated genes. Mutations in p53 commonly occur via missense mutations, many of which exhibit gain-of-function activities manifested as increased tumor aggressiveness and metastasis. Dr. Lozano’s team has developed novel conditional mutant p53 alleles that switch wild type p53 to mutant in a Cre-specific manner to explore the role of the microenvironment in tumor development and progression. A model of triple negative breast cancer shows dependence on mutant p53 for tumor growth and survival through inhibition of ferroptosis. These models most closely simulate the genesis of somatic cancers and will thus be invaluable in testing novel therapeutic combinations.

Professor and Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Donald J. Douglass Centennial Professorship in Engineering
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

The IMSD PhD Scholars are honored to present this seminar by Dr. Tyrone Porter. Lipids are extremely versatile biomolecules capable of encapsulating particles composed of gas, liquid, or solid. In the Diverse Engineering Applications Laboratory (D.E.A.L.), we have leveraged this versatility to generate a diverse set of particles ranging in size and internal content for a diverse set of applications. First, I will review the development and utility of pressure-sensitive nanoemulsions (PSNE), which can be vaporized with high amplitude acoustic pulses. I will describe how we have taken advantage of PSNE vaporization with focused ultrasound for thermal ablation of solid tumors in the abdominal cavity and for nonthermal ablation of brain tumors. Second, I will discuss the generation and characterization of indocyanine green (ICG) J-aggregates packaged within lipid vesicles. While free ICG can be utilized for near infrared (NIR) imaging of blood vessels, the contrast agent is cleared fairly quickly (< 30 minutes) from circulation and it absorbs less effectively over repeated illumination. ICG J-aggregates compared to soluble ICG circulate for hours instead of minutes, absorb more photons at longer wavelengths (i.e., > 850 nm), and maintain the absorption level over repeated illuminatiosn. I will describe how these attributes are advantageous for in vivo multispectral photoacoustic imaging as well as photothermal therapy. Throughout this lecture, I will discuss how real-world events and my commitment to equity and inclusion have motivated my efforts to broaden participation in STEM.  

Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Nephrology
Secondary Appointment in the Department of Pharmacological Sciences
School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY

The IMSD PhD Scholars are honored to present this seminar by Dr. Evren Azeloglu. This presentation will delve into the application of systems biology principles within translational nephrology to advance precision therapeutics. Through a series of case studies, we will illustrate how the integration of deep learning, comprehensive omics profiling of patient samples, and innovative cell mechanobiological assays utilizing stem cell-based disease models can enhance prognostics, pharmacovigilance and therapeutic development. By leveraging these advanced methodologies, we aim to deepen our understanding of basic kidney physiology and build a true two-way connection between bedside and bench, developing more effective treatment strategies for kidney disease.

Eugene McDermott Distinguished Professor
Associate Professor, Department of Neuroscience
University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX

Abstract TBA

For more information, please contact imsdatub@buffalo.edu by email or you can call 716-829-3048.