Inaugural MIPS Research Meeting: Building a Cohesive and Collaborative Community

The inaugural Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS) Research Meeting took place on July 23, 2024, marking the beginning of a new era of collaborative scientific engagement within the program. This initiative, proposed by Dr. Craig Levin last December, aims to build a cohesive and collaborative program by bringing together diverse research labs and fostering a vibrant and interactive research environment.

Background and Motivation

MIPS comprises 56 research labs distributed across both the main campus and the research park. This geographical and thematic diversity created an unmet need for improved cohesion and connectivity within the program. Most seminars on campus typically feature invited external speakers, while internal discussions of ongoing, unpublished work were less frequent. Recognizing this gap, the MIPS Research Meeting was designed to focus on internal talks that could foster collaboration and constructive discussion, ultimately benefiting ongoing research efforts.

Vision and Leadership

Dr. Levin's vision for this initiative was clear: to create a platform where MIPS members could regularly come together, share their latest research, and build a more connected and collaborative community. His proposal garnered strong support from MIPS leadership, particularly Dr. Katherine Ferrara and Dr. Jason Thanh Lee, who recognized the potential of this initiative to enhance the program's overall impact.

Community Voices and Membership Growth

The motivation for this initiative was further reinforced by the voices heard across the MIPS community through a survey conducted in March. This survey highlighted the community's desire for more frequent and interactive internal events. Additionally, the first systematic update of MIPS contacts post-pandemic saw membership grow from 200 to 700, reflecting a renewed interest in building a strong, interconnected community.

Organization and Execution

The MIPS Trainees Council, led by Neurosurgery Instructor Dr. Quan Zhou, played a crucial role in organizing and executing the event. The council members, including Malavika Ramarao (BA, research staff in Dr. Gozde Durmus' lab), Iryna Vasyliv (MD, postdoc in Dr. Heike Daldrup-Link's lab), and Johana Carolina M. Vega Leonel (PhD, teaching fellow previously sponsored by Dr. Michael Moseley), worked diligently to ensure the event's success. Dr. Moseley, a Radiology faculty member, also provided invaluable advice and support.

Event Highlights

The inaugural meeting was held in the lecture hall at LKSC and was attended by approximately 80 participants, filling the room to capacity. The event featured two distinguished speakers:

  1. Dr. Raag Airan presented on "Noninvasive Ultrasonic Neurointerventions", discussing his innovative work in using ultrasound technology for targeted drug delivery and neuromodulation.
  2. Dr. Corinne Beinat presented on "Peptide Discovery for Promising Theranostic Biomarkers Lacking Known Ligands", highlighting her research on developing new peptides for cancer diagnostics and treatment.

The level of engagement from attendees was remarkable, with lively discussions following each presentation.

Innovative Networking

One of the standout features of the event was the implementation of AI-driven networking suggestions. Participants received tailored recommendations for potential meaningful connections based on their research areas and personal interests. This innovative approach aimed to reduce social anxiety around networking and spark potential collaborations and unexpected insights. The networking pairing list was shared before the event, including recommended matches in interests and hobbies, along with each attendee's Stanford Profile and LinkedIn pages to help stay in touch after the event. To add to the fun, scientific pins and stickers were distributed to networking participants to jazz up their lab coats and gear, serving as great conversation starters.

Participant Testimonials

Matthew Bogyo, PhD, Professor of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology: “The MIPS Research Meeting was a great way to connect with all my colleagues working on imaging-related research who I don’t get to see all the time just walking around campus. The format was really nice and I especially enjoyed reading the information about the attendees and learning about their research interests and hobbies before getting to meet many of them in person. Great organization and I look forward to attending the next meeting soon!”

Yuqi Tan, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow in the Nolan Lab: “I thoroughly enjoyed the AI-driven networking suggestions at the MIPS research symposium. They encouraged me to delve deeper into the research backgrounds of my matches and explore the connections behind my research and theirs. It was a truly engaging exercise, and I believe it will greatly benefit junior trainees in approaching senior faculty. I plan to implement this approach at another conference I am chairing.”

Judy Schwimmer, MBA, MA, Director, Strategic Research Development in Radiology: “As Director, Strategic Research Development, in Radiology, and a remote employee, it is a wonderful opportunity to connect in to hear internal discussion of ongoing, unpublished work that will lead to future grant applications, funding, and expansion of research/training in the department.”

Malavika Ramarao, BA, Research Staff in Durmus Lab and MIPS Trainees Council member: "I really enjoyed traveling with other Stanford Research Park MIPS members to the event, and this event was a great opportunity for me to meet with MIPS members who do research on the main campus. As a member of the MIPS Trainees Council, it was incredibly rewarding to see our efforts come to fruition. The support from our mentors was invaluable. I'm excited for the future meetings!"

Future Events

The success of the inaugural meeting sets the stage for future MIPS Research Meetings, which will continue to alternate between the main campus and the research park to ensure broad participation. The confirmed dates and locations for the upcoming meetings are as follows:

  • August 20, 2024 - LKSC 120 (main campus) - Moderated by Dr. Levin
  • September 20, 2024 - 1651 Page Mill (research park) - Moderated by Dr. Moseley
  • October 25, 2024 - TBD (main campus) - Moderated by Dr. Moseley

Each meeting will take place from 2:00 to 3:30 PM, featuring two 20-minute talks each followed by 5-10 minutes of moderated discussion and then a 30-minute networking session.

Event Flyer and Photography

The event flyer and a selection of photos from the inaugural meeting are included below, capturing the essence and spirit of this significant milestone for the MIPS community.

Special Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Mike Mandella, PhD, an Optical Scientist in the Rogalla Lab, for providing live music during the networking session, and to James Wang, PhD (postdoc in Ferrara Lab) for his excellent photography that captured the essence of the event.

Support for Speakers

To show appreciation for speakers and encourage ongoing collaboration, each MIPS Research Meeting speaker will receive $20 for a follow-up coffee meeting with a new contact they made at the event. Additionally, Dr. Levin, a core faculty member and the faculty organizer of the research meeting, has graciously offered to provide feedback and coaching to trainee speakers on their presentation skills. Dr. Moseley, the advisor of the MIPS Trainees Council, is also available as a mentor, offering his expertise as an exceptional public speaker.

Conclusion

The inaugural MIPS Research Meeting was a tremendous success, thanks to the vision of Dr. Levin, the support of MIPS leadership, and the hard work of the MIPS Trainees Council. This initiative marks the beginning of a new chapter for MIPS, fostering a more connected and collaborative research environment that promises to yield significant advancements in the field of molecular imaging.

We look forward to seeing even greater engagement and collaboration in future meetings as we continue to build a cohesive and innovative MIPS community.