UNE researchers shine at 9th national IDeA Symposium of Biomedical Research Excellence

The University of New England made a strong showing at the ninth National IDeA Symposium of Biomedical Research Excellence (NISBRE), held from June 16 to 19 in Washington, D.C. 

The biennial NISBRE symposium is organized by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) to celebrate and showcase the training and scientific accomplishments of biomedical researchers within the organization’s Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program, which builds research capacity in states that historically have had low levels of funding from the National Institutes of Health. 

Maine is one of two dozen states eligible for the IDeA program, and UNE joined the Maine IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) in the spring of 2020. UNE's Center for Pain Research, an NIH-funded Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) — home to the Histology and Imaging Core and Behavior Core — has received significant financial support from the IDeA program since its inception in 2012.

The following researchers represented UNE at this nationally renowned conference: 

• Karen Houseknecht, Ph.D., associate provost for research and scholarship
• Derek Molliver, Ph.D., program director of UNE’s Center for Cell Signaling Research (CCSR) — the University’s second NIH-funded Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (established 2024) — and professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences
• CCSR researchers Kathleen Becker, Ph.D., and Harry Filippakis, Ph.D., assistant professors in the Department of Biomedical Sciences
• Benjamin Harrison, Ph.D., associate professor of biomedical sciences
• Behavior Core Manager Denise Giuvelis, B.S. ’08
• Histology and Imaging Core Manager Peter Caradonna, B.S. ’13

On Monday, June 17, Filippakis delivered a talk titled “Therapeutic Targeting of Tryptophan-Mediated Macropinocytosis in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.” His presentation highlighted groundbreaking approaches to treating tuberous sclerosis complex, or TSC, which is a rare genetic disorder that causes tumors to develop in multiple organs, including the brain, lungs, and kidneys.

There is no known cure for TSC, though Filippakis and his team hope to identify potential drug candidates for treatment by studying the metabolic and cellular pathways that feed TSC-deficient (disease-causing) cells.

On Tuesday, June 18, Giuvelis presented her poster, “Unleashing the Potential of UNE’s Rodent Behavior Core.” 

Co-authored by UNE biomedical research faculty members Tamara King, Ph.D., Behavior Core director, and Ian Meng, Ph.D., director of the Center for Pain Research, the poster detailed the comprehensive services offered by the Behavior Core, its recent initiatives to support UNE's research community, and a sustainability plan for post-COBRE grant integration. A notable highlight was the newly developed badging program, which equips undergraduate students with essential behavioral research and laboratory skills.

Giuvelis remarked that “the NISBRE conference provided a great opportunity for discussions with other core managers from around the country regarding sustainability plans, programs for internal and external undergraduate students, as well as opportunities for core staff professional development.”

Caradonna emphasized the importance of networking at the poster sessions. 

“The scientific talks were interesting and engaging, but the most valuable part of the conference for me was networking and gaining insights into the operations of other cores and their service offerings,” he said, adding that he appreciated the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from Maine, including the MaineHealth Institute for Research.