SCTR Scientific Retreat on Inflammation and Fibrosis

Scientific Retreat on Inflammation and Fibrosis

On February 2, 2024, the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute will hold its 24^th Scientific Retreat. This year’s retreat, co-chaired by Jim Oates, M.D., and Carol Feghali-Bostick, Ph.D., centers on inflammation and fibrosis.

“Inflammation and fibrosis can affect every organ and underpin numerous diseases,” said Feghali-Bostwick.

Mary K. “Peggy” Crow, M.D., will give the keynote address, “Standing on Shoulders: A History of Interferon Research.”

Exchange Knowledge & Accelerate Discoveries in Inflammation and Fibrosis

Inflammation and fibrosis are a broad topic and are prevalent in a number of diseases and can affect any organ. The wide-ranging applicability of this retreat topic allows this event to serve as a forum for stakeholders in these areas to engage with one another and discuss new pathways in research and clinical care.

Oates and Feghali-Bostwick have stated the goal of the retreat is to “bring the MUSC and statewide community together to exchange knowledge, build collaborations, and accelerate discoveries of mechanisms of and therapies for diseases of inflammation and fibrosis.”

Throughout the day, attendees will hear from scientists across the state from institutions such as MUSC, Clemson University, Furman University, and Presbyterian College. After the morning keynote and mini-talk sessions, there will be a poster session, followed by interactive workshops on topics important to the future of the inflammation and fibrosis field.

Initiate Collaborative Partnerships

The annual scientific retreats are sponsored by SCTR’s Pilot and Translational Studies Program, which offers educational opportunities and funding for investigators. These annual retreats are an opportunity for investigators to meet and initiate collaborative partnerships.

Since the first scientific retreat, over 75 new research teams have been formed. Many of these teams went on to be awarded Pilot funding through SCTR’s pilot program, which has given these teams the opportunity to generate preliminary data in support of extramural grant applications.

The Pilot Program Discovery Pilot Grant RFA will release on February 1, 2024. The group hopes to see proposals from new teams formed out of the discussions and networking opportunities at the retreat.

“SCTR is dedicated to catalyzing and facilitating scientific discovery with positive impacts in South Carolina and beyond. Statewide scientific retreats serve as a cornerstone of this process, providing the opportunity to share ideas and build new collaborations. The SCTR Pilot Program is excited to offer pilot award opportunities to support innovative projects ideas developed via retreat participation” said Kevin Gray, M.D., director of the Pilot and Translational Studies Program.

Meet Mary K. “Peggy” Crow

Mary K. “Peggy” Crow, M.D., is Physician-in-Chief Emeritus at Hospital for Special Surgery, Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Senior Scientist, Hospital for Special Surgery Research Institute.

Dr. Crow’s research focuses on the type I interferon pathway in systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s Syndrome. She is the Physician-in-Chief Emeritus at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, and Professor of Immunology in the Graduate School of Medical Sciences. She is Director of the Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program at the HSS Research Institute.

Event Details

February 2, 2024

8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

In-person in the MUSC Drug Discovery & Bioengineering Buildings

Registration Deadline: Friday, January 19, 2024*

*Late and day-of registration is allowed, but lunch will not be guaranteed

Register for this event.