Topic: "Cell Biology Research"
Speakers: Benjamin R. Myer PhD, Susan Dutcher PhD, Brad Yoder PhD, Eva Anton PhD, Julie Siegenthaler PhD, Denise Ferkey PhD, Anand Swaroop PhD
Learning Objectives:
The purpose of the Cell Biology Research Symposium is to bring together faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students, and staff from OUHSC, OMRF, the University of Oklahoma, and other regional institutions and encourage the exchange of ideas within the community of scientists who work at the forefront of cell biological research.
The 2026 Oklahoma Cell Biology Symposium will take place from October 28-30th and is presented by the University of Oklahoma Department of Cell Biology (with support from the Presbyterian Health Foundation and the NIH funded Oklahoma Center for Biomedical Research Excellence in Sensory Biology).
The symposium will kick off at 5 pm on October 28th at the Keynote Dinner. The dinner will be hosted at the Will Rogers Theatre (4322 N. Western Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK, 73118). The night will consist of networking and a presentation by student-invited keynote speaker Dr. Benjamin R. Myers (Associate Professor of Oncological Sciences at the University of Utah School of Medicine). A second off-site networking dinner will be hosted on October 29th at the Old Spaghetti Factory (1 S Mickey Mantle Drive, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104). Registration is required for attendance at both dinners.
Two full days of scientific talks, poster presentations, and roundtable discussions will be hosted on October 29th and 30th at Nicholson Tower Conference Center (1000 NE 13th St Suite 5700, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104). We are honored to host talks throughout the two days by invited speakers: Susan Dutcher (Professor of Genetics and Cell Biology and Physiology at Washington University School of Medicine), Brad Yoder (Professor of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham), Eva Anton (Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology and member of the Neuroscience Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Julie Siegenthaler (Associate Professor of Pediatric Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado, Anschutz), Denise Ferkey (Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at the University at Buffalo), Anand Swaroop (Senior Investigator of Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair at the National Eye Institute). Local experts and selected Cell Biology graduate students will present talks alongside invited speakers.
The theme of this year’s Oklahoma Cell Biology Symposium is Cellular Sensation, Function, and Mechanisms. The symposium will highlight research that covers cellular mechanisms underlying how cells sense and respond to their environment. We hope that presented research will contribute to understanding that can be used to target and treat various dysfunctions and diseases. This symposium is focused on exhibiting the excellence of Oklahoma cell biology research and forging connections with the greater national cell biology community. This symposium is an opportunity for researchers at all levels (undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral, faculty, staff, etc.) to learn, share, and network with peers.
We invite you to participate in the 2026 Oklahoma Cell Biology Symposium. All are welcome to attend. Trainees and post-doctoral fellows are encouraged to submit an abstract for poster presentation consideration. Faculty from all institutions are encouraged to submit an abstract for oral talk consideration. Attendees can register and/or submit an abstract via the following link: Registration and Abstract Submission. Registration and abstract submission is open now and closes September 18th at 11:59 pm CST. Stay tuned to the Cell Biology Symposium Page for updates on schedules and more information as we get closer to the symposium. For any questions or concerns, please reach out to cheryl-walk@ou.edu.