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Cardiovascular Research Center

MCW Cardiovascular Research Center Research Retreat

Save the Date!

Date: November 17, 2025
Location: MCW Campus, Alumni Center

More details to follow - please email cgara@mcw.edu with questions

The retreat featured dynamic faculty lightning talks within the CVRC’s Signature Programs and Trainee Talks, highlighting the innovative work of emerging scientists. A keynote presentation by Minna Kaikkonen-Määttä, PhD, Professor of Cardiovascular Genomics at the A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, provided insight into “Mapping the Genetic Basis of Atherosclerosis Using Single Cell and Functional Genomics.”

Led by Trainee Chair Michelle Roberts, PhD, MS, and CVRC Staff Chair Christina Gara, the retreat included a vibrant poster session with over 55 presentations. This session served as a valuable platform for networking and knowledge exchange, culminating in awards for nine outstanding presenters across three categories:

Graduate Student/Medical Student

  • 1st Place: Makenna Knas (Joy Lincoln Lab)
  • 2nd Place: Lukas Brandt (Andreas Beyer Lab)
  • 3rd Place: Katy LaFond (Ben Gantner Lab)

Postdoctoral Fellow/Clinical Fellow

  • 1st Place: Stephen Hammond, PhD, MS (Andreas Beyer Lab)
  • 2nd Place: Alicen Whitaker-Hilbig, PT, DPT, PhD (Matthew Durand Lab)
  • 3rd Place: Maria Jaramillo-Torres, PhD (Julie Freed Lab)

Research Support Staff

  • 1st Place: Thiago Milech De Assunção, PhD (Brian Lin Lab)
  • 2nd Place: Valerie Wagner, PhD (Justin Grobe Lab)
  • 3rd Place: Annabelle Brusacoram (Brian Lin Lab)

Congratulations to all the winners! The CVRC extends its heartfelt thanks to the poster judges for their invaluable contributions to the retreat’s success. This annual event underscores the collaborative spirit and cutting-edge research that define the CVRC community.

Details for the 2025 CVRC Research Retreat will be available soon, please contact cgara@mcw.edu with any questions.

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