header-logo
GettyImages-609179959-hero
Cardiovascular Center

MCW Cardiovascular Center Research Retreat

Thank you to all who attended our 2024 CVC Research Retreat!

Please find documentation from the day in the Facebook Retreat Photo Album.

The retreat featured dynamic faculty lightning talks within the CVC’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 CVC 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 CVC 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 CVC community.

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

© 2025 Medical College of Wisconsin.  All rights reserved.  | Terms and Privacy | Web Accessibility Statement

Non-Discrimination Statement
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic. MCW’s policy as well as federal and state laws and regulations prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment.

Notice of Compliance with Laws and Commitment to Civil Rights
The Medical College of Wisconsin is committed to full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations in the pursuit of our missions. Consistent with recent federal guidance, we affirm our commitment to individual merit, fairness, and equal treatment in all aspects of academic and institutional decision-making. As part of this commitment, we are actively reviewing our policies and materials to ensure they align with federal nondiscrimination obligations.