Lab members present at the 2025 Department of Surgery Research Symposium

Multiple Gurtner Lab members presented their research at the 2025 Department of Research Symposium. It was a full morning of keynote lectures, oral sessions, quick shot presentations, a sponsored poster session, and networking. There was community collaboration as well, as after each presentation students and faculty members alike asked questions and provided commentary. A highlight was the keynote lecture given by Dr. Alan Flake on fetal surgery and his developments with EXTEND—his insights and presentation were truly inspiring, and we are all grateful for his contribution to the symposium.

Congratulations to all the speakers from our lab as well as Kellen Chen was an invited faculty speaker, Maria Gracia Mora Pinos and Abdelrahman Alsharif gave oral research presentations, Emily Galvin and Erika Kness-Knezinskis gave oral quick shot presentations, and Katharina Berryman and Fidel Saenz gave poster presentations.

A special congratulations to Maria Gracia Mora Pinos, as she won a Richard and Jan Highberger Research Award for her work in our lab. These awards are designed to advance the research efforts of early-career faculty and researchers affiliated with the Department of Surgery.

It is great to see the dedication and innovation from our faculty, residents, and students. Special thanks to Dr. Kenneth Liechty and the organizing committee for such a successful event. We are looking forward to the continued progress from this community and department!