NextGen PATHWAYS Symposium

Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13, 2026
The Havener Center at the Missouri University of Science and Technology
1346 N Bishop Ave, Rolla, MO 65409

Poster abstract submission is open from Friday, November 3 to Sunday, December 12.
General registration is open from Monday, January 5 to Friday, January 30.

Agenda

Thursday, March 12

5:00 p.m. - 5:05 p.m.: Welcoming Remarks
Dave Arnold, MD | Executive Director, NextGen Precision Health initiative

5:05 p.m. - 5:20 p.m.: Missouri S&T's Biomedical Innovation Ecosystem Vision
Mohammad Dehghani, PhD | Chancellor, Missouri S&T

5:20 p.m. - 5:35 p.m.: Missouri S&T’s Research Enterprise
Kamal Khayat, PhD | Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Missouri S&T

5:35 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.: Biomedical Research Synergies at S&T

• David Borrok, PhD | Dean, College of Engineering and Computing
• Mehrzad Boroujerdi, PhD | Dean, College of Arts, Sciences, and Education
• Jim Sterling, PhD | Dean, Kummer College of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development

6:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: Evening Reception

• Poster presenters check in
• Free professional headshots available
• Light refreshments and networking

8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Trainee Happy Hour

• Public House Brewing Co. (Rolla R&D Brewpub)
• 600 North Rolla Street, Rolla, MO 65401

Friday, March 13

7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.: Registration, Coffee & Poster Set Up (Sessions A & B)

8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.: Welcome and Housekeeping 

8:45 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.: Keynote

9:45 a.m. - 11:05 a.m.: Faculty Theme Talks - Session A

• Sunjeev Phull, PhD | NextGen Fellow | Missouri S&T Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
• Anthony Convertine, PhD | Missouri S&T Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry
• Jill Delston, PhD | UMSL Philosophy
• R. Scott Rector, PhD | Mizzou Nutrition & Exercise Physiology
• Karl Kador, PhD | UMKC Ophthalmology
• Tareq Nabhan, OD | UMSL Optometry

11:05 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Break / Poster Session A

12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.: Lunch / Networking

1:15 p.m. - 2:35 p.m.: Faculty Theme Talks - Session B

• Sandy Saunders, PhD | NextGen Fellow | Mizzou Pathobiology and Integrative Biomedical Sciences
• Gina Yosten, PhD | Missouri S&T Biological Sciences
• Bret Ulery, PhD | Mizzou Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Badri Adhikari, PhD | UMSL Computer Science
• Hillary McGraw, PhD | UMKC Biological and Biomedical Systems
• Ryan Gilbert, PhD | Missouri S&T Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

2:35 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.: Break / Poster Session B

3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Break / Tallying Poster Votes

4:00 p.m.: Poster Presentation Awards and Closing

Agenda is subject to change prior to the event dates.

Faculty Theme Talks

NextGen Fellows Flash Talks

NextGen Precision Health’s PATHWAYS symposium draws on pathbreaking work from across the University of Missouri System to celebrate research collaborations with the potential to impact global health.

On average in the U.S., it takes 14 years for a new treatment to make it from the discovery phase to a clinical patient. We believe we can accelerate that time frame if all segments of the translational science pipeline are engaged from the beginning. At the PATHWAYS symposium, research faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students from a broad range of disciplines will build understanding to lower research barriers and jump start new projects.

Keep an eye out for more email updates about:

The agenda will promote a dual mission: accelerating discoveries and fostering discoverers. The symposium will provide networking opportunities for experts across our four universities and give young researchers a pragmatic approach for connecting to other fields and the translation process. By making each of our contributions accessible and relevant across domains, we can leverage our strengths and ultimately impact quality of life around the world. 

Sponsors

Download this informational flyer to learn how your organization can sponsor Pathways. Inquiries can be directed to nextgen@umsystem.edu.

Gold level sponsor

Bronze level sponsor

Questions? 

Contact the NextGen Precision Health initiative at nextgenpathways@umsystem.edu.