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Research Bench Lab
Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine

Rare Diseases and Rare Cancers in the Era of Systems Biology Symposium

Mark Your Calendar: November 12-13, 2025 

The Mellowes Center 3rd annual symposium, "Rare Diseases and Rare Cancers in the Era of Systems Biology," will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, November 12-13, 2025 as a two-day hybrid event featuring seminars and panel discussions from expert researchers and clinicians in four focus areas: From Mechanisms to Medicine in Mitochondrial Diseases, Diagnostic Discovery of Diseases, Human Diseases of the Epigenome, and Functional Modeling and Validation of Disease Variants.

Our symposium will bring together regional and international speakers to explore the current landscape and future directions of rare disease and rare cancer research, advocating for greater understanding and expanded therapeutic interventions.

 

3rd Annual Symposium Promo Slides_v4

Join us for the Rare Diseases and Rare Cancers Symposium!

Act now to be part of two full days packed with inspiration, discovery, and collaboration.

The Rare Diseases and Rare Cancers Symposium brings together researchers, clinicians, students, and anyone with a curious mind with the goal of advancing precision research and patient care.  

Alongside engaging talks and networking opportunities, don’t miss the poster session, where researchers will showcase innovative projects and fresh ideas. It’s the perfect chance to dive deeper into cutting-edge science, ask questions, and spark new collaborations.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

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Keynote Speakers

Marni Falk, MD is an attending physician and Executive Director, Mitochondrial Medicine Frontier Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She also holds the Distinguished Endowed Chair in the Department of Pediatrics and is a Professor, Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. 

Danny Miller, MD, PhD is an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine, and the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Washington and is an attending physician at Seattle Children's Hospital. 

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, November 12:  

8:45-9:15 a.m.
Introduction and Welcome

9:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Panel Session 1: From Mechanisms to Medicine in Mitochondrial Diseases

  • Jing Dong, PhD
  • Andreas Beyer, PhD, FAHA, FAPS 
  • Francesc Palau, MD, PhD
  • Gyorgy Hajnoczky, MD, PhD

12:00-1:00 p.m.
Lunch, Posters and Networking

1:00-2:00 p.m.
Keynote Speaker | Marni Falk, MD

2:00-2:30 p.m.
Lightning Talks: Poster Podium Presentations (4 presenters, 5 minutes each)

2:30-5:15 p.m.
Panel Session 2: Diagnostic Discovery of Diseases

  • Donald Basel, MD
  • Aoy Mitchell, PhD
  • Filippo Pinto e Vairo, MD, PhD
  • Bryn Webb, MD, FACMG

5:15-6:00 p.m.
Social hour, Posters, Networking 

Thursday, November 13:

7:45-8:00 a.m. 
Welcome

8:00-10:15 a.m.
Panel Session 3: Human Diseases of the Epigenome 

  • Jill Fahrner, MD, PhD 
  • Rosanna Weksberg, MD, PhD
  • Christopher Pin, PhD 

10:15-11:15 a.m. 
Keynote Speaker | Danny Miller, MD, PhD

11:15-11:45 a.m.
Lightning Talks: Poster Podium Presentations (4 presenters, 5 minutes each)

11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Rare Storytellers 

1:30-2:30 p.m.
Posters and Networking

2:30-5:00 p.m.
Panel Session 4: Functional Modeling and Validation of Disease Variants

  • Joy Lincoln, PhD
  • Lihsia Chen, PhD
  • Audrey Gasch, PhD
  • Laura Lambert, PhD

5:15-6:00 p.m.
Social hour, Posters, Networking 

Rare Storytellers Marketing 2025_Website

Rare Storytellers: Navigating from Pediatric to Adult Care

The Mellowes Center is proud to partner with Harmony 4 Hope, a nonprofit that brings together stories, songs, and science to educate, empower, and advance rare disease research. This event is open to all faculty, staff, students, and community members.

This inspiring Rare Storytellers will take place on Thursday, November 13 at 11:30 a.m. (CT) at the Sonesta Hotel, Wauwatosa, WI.

Symposium Registration Required (see Zoom Events link above). Lunch provided.

 

 

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Memorable Moments from Past Rare Disease Symposia

Since 2023, the Mellowes Center has successfully hosted an annual Rare Disease and Rare Cancer Symposium, creating a unique space to bridge seemingly disparate areas of study through the unifying lens of precision medicine. The events bring together internationally recognized speakers, researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates to share insights, debate challenges, and envision the future of rare disease and cancer research. Each symposium features sessions with multiple speakers and open discussions that encourage collaboration and the exchange of ideas across institutions and disciplines. A highlight of the Symposia is the Rare Storytellers event with Harmony for Hope, which underscores the human side of rare diseases through emotional patient stories and performances, reminding participants of the urgency to innovate and collaborate. Together, these symposia have fostered connections, inspired new approaches, and reinforced the essential link between discovery, clinical practice, and patient advocacy.

Symposium Sponsors

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AHW Logo_Full Color
Harmony4Hope Logo

Event Location

Medical College of Wisconsin
Bolger Auditorium, Health Research Center
8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226

All sessions are hybrid.

Contact us with any questions
(414) 955-4887
mellowescenter@mcw.edu
Medical College of Wisconsin Google map location

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