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Innovation and collaboration highlighted at Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases 11th Annual Research Symposium

This year's Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Disease annual research symposium not only highlights OCRID’s groundbreaking research  and  its transition from Phase II to Phase III.


STILLWATER, Okla — The Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases (OCRID) hosted their 11th Annual Research Symposium on April 4, 2024, at the Meditations Event Center.

 

This year's symposium put a spotlight on the center's pioneering research and celebrated their progression from Phase II to Phase III, aiming to establish self-sustainable research facilities. The event drew attendees from all over the state, including the Oklahoma legislature. Oklahoma House of Representatives member Trish Ranson stopped by to discuss OCRID’s impact on research in the state. OCRID looks forward to working with the state of Oklahoma to contribute to building and improving vital research infrastructure.

 

Every year the symposium features keynote speakers. This year's speakers were James Heath, Ph.D., Jay Kolls, M.D., and Barry Stripp, Ph.D. James Heath is a professor and President at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle. Jay Kolls is a professor of Medicine and Pediatrics and Director of the Center for Translational Research and Infection and Inflammation at the Tulane School of Medicine. Barry Stripp is a professor of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and Director of the Postdoctoral Scientist Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

 

Dr. Kenneth Sewell, Vice President of Research at the Oklahoma State University kicked off the symposium with inspiring and upbeat remarks. During the symposium, OCRID director, Dr. Lin Liu outlined the strategic plans for the Center going beyond phase III, which include developing program project grants, center grants, and institutional training grants, fundraising and connecting with legislators.

 

As part of their strategic plan, OCRID aims to continue developing research core facilities with innovative technologies and transforming them into sustainable institutional core facilities. In Phases I and II, OCRID established three unique research cores: animal models, immunopathology, and molecular biology. These cores have had a significant impact on CoBRE projects and the research community in respiratory and infectious diseases in Oklahoma.

 

OCRID also plans to further enhance the research environment to sustain impactful research through pilot research projects and inter-institutional collaborations. They will continue to expand the critical mass of multidisciplinary investigators in the thematic area of respiratory and infectious diseases by nurturing junior investigators and redirecting established investigators into respiratory infectious disease research via a pilot project program. Additionally, 2-4 new tenure-track faculty members whose research aligns with the focus of the Center are expected to be hired.

 

To foster research and career development, OCRID will continue to provide and support activities such as a research seminar series, and an annual respiratory and infectious disease research symposium. They will also promote inter-institutional collaborations in Oklahoma through the development of multi-investigator grant applications.

 

The symposium featured a poster competition to show off research from undergraduate and graduate students as well as post-doctoral fellows.

 

The 11th Annual Research Symposium highlighted OCRID's commitment to advancing research in respiratory and infectious diseases and its dedication to establishing self-sustainable research facilities in Oklahoma. With the transition to Phase III, OCRID is poised to make significant contributions to the field and strengthen the research community and infrastructure in the state of Oklahoma.

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