On November 1–2, 2024, the University of Wisconsin–Madison hosted a dynamic and collaborative Joint T32 Retreat between its “Metabolism and Nutrition” T32 program and the University of Chicago’s “Digestive Health and Diseases” T32 program. The retreat brought together trainees, faculty, and distinguished guests for two days of scientific exchange, professional development, and community building.
Day 1: Friday, November 1
Dr. Rick Eisenstein and Dr. Eugene Chang opened with a warm welcome, followed by introductions of trainees and trainers. The keynote address, delivered by Dr. Patrick Stover of Texas A&M University, set the tone with a compelling talk on the challenges and opportunities in precision nutrition.
The afternoon featured a research presentation by Dr. Judi Simcox on lipid signaling and energy expenditure, followed by a series of trainee oral presentations showcasing cutting-edge research:
- Landon DeLeon, PhD explored the role of microbiota in modulating intestinal stem cell identity.
- Joyce Ghali presented on microbial resource competition in the gut.
- Dr. Kate Lauer discussed machine learning models for predicting weight gain.
- Jake Hermanson examined diet-microbe-host interactions in liver disease.
Later, Dr. Jo Handelsman led a session on public engagement in science, followed by a panel discussion with Jenny Luray and Dr. Elizabeth Stulberg, who shared insights on science policy and communication careers.
The evening concluded with a reception and dinner, where Dr. Richard B. Weinberg of Wake Forest University delivered an inspiring keynote titled “Your Research Journey: Insights from an Undaunted Traveler.”
Day 2: Saturday, November 2
Saturday began with a research talk from Dr. Alice Cheng of the University of Chicago on how diet influences the gut microbiome and metabolism.A poster session allowed trainees to share their work in an interactive format, fostering rich discussions and feedback. This was followed by a timely and thought-provoking talk by Dr. Dietram Scheufele on science communication in the age of AI, pandemics, and political polarization.
The afternoon featured a second round of trainee oral presentations:
- Dr. Nolan Kennedy discussed quorum sensing in gut Bacteroidales.
- JJ Colgan presented on host-microbe mutualism in the intestine.
- Beth Poad explored cobalamin metabolism and its genetic modifiers in adipocyte differentiation.
- Dr. Nate Willis shared findings on how TPN infusion timing affects liver metabolism.
The retreat concluded with a brief discussion on future directions, leaving participants energized and inspired by the breadth of research and collaboration on display.
The Joint Retreat received generous funding from the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at the University of Chicago, the Morgridge Institute for Research, and the School of Medicine and Public Health. The collaboration between the University of Chicago and the University of Wisconsin-Madison laid the groundwork for future advancements in the fields of digestive health, metabolism, and nutrition.