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2026 Digestive Disease Research Center Retreat & Symposium

Join us for the 7th Annual Digestive Disease Research Center (DDRC) Retreat & Symposium on Friday, April 17, in the Hollings Cancer Center Auditorium. Supported by MUSC’s CTSA and the College of Medicine, this annual event brings together researchers, clinicians, and trainees to share the latest discoveries and foster collaboration in digestive and liver disease research.

Event highlights include:

  • Oral and poster presentations showcasing DDRC investigator research.
  • Keynote address by Lori Sussel, Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics and Research Director of the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine. Dr. Sussel will present "Novel insights into the regulation of pancreatic islet cell function."

Key Dates:

  • Deadline to submit abstracts for consideration for oral presentation: Friday, March 6
  • Final deadline for registration: Friday, March 27
Register and Submit Abstract

Event Schedule

  • When: Friday, April 17, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Where: Hollings Cancer Center Auditorium Lobby
Time Event
7:30 a.m.  Registration, poster set-up, coffee
8:30 a.m. Welcome and Introduction – Don C. Rockey, M.D., Director DDRCC & Stephen A. Duncan, Ph.D., Director CDLD
Session 1
8:40 a.m. Evan Delgado, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Regenerative Medicine, Cell Biology & Anatomy Department, MUSC – “Immunometabolomic crosstalk in hepatocellular carcinoma: How macrophage glutamine utilization influences disease.”
9:00 a.m. Hailong Zhang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Pharmacology & Immunology Department, MUSC – “Enteric neuron and host defense.”
9:20 a.m. Natalie Saini, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Department, MUSC – “Mechanisms of methylglyoxal-induced genotoxicity.”
9:40 a.m. Submitted Abstract 1 (TBA) 
10:00 a.m.

Break & Poster Session

  • Odd posters: 10:00–10:45 am; Even posters: 10:45–11:30 am
11:30 a.m. Lunch (provided)
Session 2
12:20 p.m. Jennifer Stancil, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Department, MUSC – “Redox and Relax: How Thioredoxin/Peroxiredoxin Keep Beta-cells from Burning Out.”
12:40 p.m. Zhi Zhong, Ph.D., Professor, Drug Discovery & Pharmacology Department, MUSC – “Suppression of ductular reaction and liver fibrosis by glutathione S-transferase Pi (GSTP) in Metabolic and Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease (MetALD).”
1:00 p.m.  Submitted Abstract 2 (TBA)
1:15 p.m. Keynote Address – Lori Sussel, Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics; Sissel and Findlow Family Chair; Director of Basic and Translational Research, Barbara Davis Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center – “Novel insights into the regulation of pancreatic islet cell function.”
2:00 p.m. Closing Remarks

Contact Us

Kyu Lee. M.D., Ph.D.
DDRC Program Manager
musc-ddrcc@musc.edu