KU Center for Genomics Symposium
KUCG Symposium 2026
The KU Center for Genomics will host its fifth annual research symposium on May 8th, 2026, bringing together researchers from across the region. The event will highlight innovative work, with a focus on early career researchers in genomics and genetics, and will provide opportunities for networking and community building.
Registration is now closed.
| TIME | Description |
|---|---|
| 8 a.m. | Breakfast, registration and poster setup |
| 8:50 a.m. | Welcoming Remarks Rob Unckless, University of Kansas |
| 9 a.m. | Genomic characterization of a novel bloom-forming cyanobacterial species from western Kansas Louisa Acquah, Fort Hays State University |
| 9:15 a.m. | Single cell multiomics of amniotic fluid uncovers molecular distinctions across spina bifida lesion types Alexandra Rader, Children's Mercy |
| 9:30 a.m. | Differential Evolution of Pseudomonas fluorescens against Ribosome-Targeting Peptide vs Small-Molecule Antimicrobials Accilien Kervens, University of Kansas |
| 9:45 a.m. | Flash talks Genome reorganization in symbiotic and NCR peptide–treated Sinorhizobium meliloti Ancient Unangax genomes reveal the population dynamics of the central and western Aleutian Islands Pre-European contact Systems analysis of prefrontal cortex in Prader-Willi syndrome reveals signatures of neuroinflammation and synaptic dysfunction |
| 10:05 a.m. | Poster session 1 |
| 11:30 a.m. | Investigating the ecological suicide (“ecocide”) theory in Rapa Nui with ancient DNA data Bárbara Sousa da Mota, Harvard University |
| 12:15 p.m. | Lunch and Networking event |
| 1:25 p.m. | Mutation, Selection, and Drift Shape Codon Usage Bias in Mimulus guttatus Luis Javier Madrigal Roca, University of Kansas |
| 1:40 p.m. | A favorable lifestyle profile nearly completely mitigates polygenic risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias Clayton Mansel, University of Kansas Medical Center |
| 1:55 p.m. | Potential rescue of mitochondrial dysfunction by a Wolbachia symbiont of Drosophila Jessie Perlmutter, University of Virginia |
| 2:10 p.m. | Flash talks The impact of interference in purine biosynthesis pathway and autolysis on Staphylococcus lugdunensis biofilm formation Reduced migration rates create a myriad of phylogeographic structure in Flying Dragons (Draco spilopterus) Lineage Stability Overrides Reservoir Adaptation in the Plasmidome of Salmonella Enteritidis from Low-Moisture Foods |
| 2:30 p.m. | Coffee/tea break |
| 2:45 p.m. | Inferring ‘the sister to the stinger’ using phylogenetic methods on single-cell RNA seq data Marina Stoilova, University of Kansas |
| 3 p.m. | Population-Specific Structural Variant Landscape in a Puerto Rican Rare Disease Cohort Cas LeMaster, Children's Mercy |
| 3:15 p.m. | A CRISPR Interference System for Inducible Gene Knockdown in soil bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti Francisco Jose Guerra-Garcia, Stowers Institute for Medical Research |
| 3:30 p.m. | Integrating Multiple Independent Data Types for a Joint Species Delimitation Using Machine Learning: Insights from Empirical and Simulated Data Christian Supsup, University of Kansas |
| 3:45 p.m. | Flash talks The evolutionary driver of telomere length variation in the plant kingdom Microbiome driven gut brain axis dysfunction and ENS remodeling in chronic abdominal pain after spinal cord injury Regulation of Antibiotic Resistance in Chromobacterium subtsugae by Antibiotics and Quorum Sensing |
| 4:05 p.m. | Poster session 2 |
| 5:30 p.m. | Happy Hour, Appetizers, and Up Goer 5 Showcase |
| 6 p.m. | Closing Remarks and Awards Rob Unckless, University of Kansas |
| 7 p.m. | Symposium End |
Logistics & what to expect
Hourly parking in the Mississippi Street Garage is a convenient option for those without a KU parking pass. The Allen Fieldhouse and Central District Garages are located near bus stops with routes that stop near the Kansas Memorial Union, which is next to the Jayhawk Welcome Center.
If possible, try to avoid taking Iowa Street to campus during rush hours, as there is major construction.
Visit the KU Parking website to see other parking options.
- Please bring your ID if you want to have alcohol during happy hour.
- Dinner is not provided at the event.
- Allergy information for all food will be provided on the food cards.
Dress code is whatever you are comfortable in. Many people opt for business casual (e.g., slacks, dresses, blouses, tailored shirts, etc.).
Our networking event will take place during lunch.
- The presentation spots are open to anyone doing genomics/genetics research.
- Postdocs, graduate students, undergraduate researchers, technicians, and other research staff are especially encouraged to submit abstracts.
- Due to space and time limitations, only a subset of the total submitted abstracts may be selected for posters and talks.
- Awards will be give to the 1st and 2nd place talk and poster presentations (for students, postdocs, and research staff only).
- The symposium will be one full day in person.
The KUCG planning committee has secured block-rate rooms at two hotels in Lawrence for conference attendees. Please review the accommodation options below and reserve early, as availability is limited.
The Oread Hotel: Located a minutes' walk from the Welcome Center on KU’s campus. Rooms are $179 per night and available May 7–9 in Double Queen or King layouts. Reservations must be made by April 7 to receive the block rate.
Click here for Oread Hotel registration.
The Eldrige Hotel: Located in the heart of Lawrence's downtown and only a 30-minute walk or 5-drive to the KU Welcome Center. Rates are $135 for Thursday the 7th and $259 for Friday May 8th. To reserve a room within the block, please call the Eldrige reservations department at 785-749-5011 (Monday-Friday; 9-5pm). Please mention the “KU Center for Genomics” block rate when booking.
2025 KU Center for Genomics Symposium winners
Poster Presentations:1st - Clayton Mansel (KU Medical Center)
2nd - Heather Mwitanti (Children's Mercy Medical Center)
Oral Talks:
1st - Stefanie Williams (Stowers Institute)
2nd - Siddharth Shivanandan (Stowers Institute)
Up-Goer 5 Challenge:
1st - Anjali Gupta (University of Kansas)
2024 KU Center for Genomics Symposium winners
Poster Presentations:1st - Daniel Ibanez (University of Kansas)
2nd - Sonali Lenaduwe (University of Arkansas)
Oral Talks:
1st - Katie Hanson (University of Kansas)
2nd - Nilanjan Roy (University of Kansas)
Up-Goer 5 Challenge:
1st - Kevin Chovanec (University of Kansas)