UToledo COMLS Faculty Research Retreat
Please join us for the inaugural Faculty Research Retreat hosted by UToledo's College of Medicine and Life Sciences (COMLS). This retreat will bring together faculty from across basic, translational, and clinical disciplines to showcase research excellence, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthen the college’s research community.
The program highlights innovative work by junior faculty across diverse areas including infectious diseases and immunology, cardiovascular and renal research, cancer and oncology, neuroscience and neurology, and data-driven biomedical science, providing a platform for visibility, mentorship, and collaboration.
The retreat also features focused sessions on artificial intelligence in biomedical research and drug discovery, introductions to new institutional resources and services including core facilities, biosafety level III laboratories, and the Northwest Ohio Cancer Research Institute (NOCRI), and interactive breakout discussions to encourage idea exchange and strategic planning. The meeting concludes with a keynote address by the Dean of COMLS, who will share his vision for the future of research in the college and outline institutional support to advance faculty success and research innovation.
Registration Required
Participation in the Research Retreat is open to all faculty of COMLS. However, registration (free) is required.
Registration deadline is Monday, February 23, 2026
Schedule
Friday, March 6, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Toledo Museum of Art, Green Room and Little Theater
Program Overview
Morning
8:00-8:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
8:30-8:35 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
- Imran Ali, M.D., Dean of COMLS
8:35-9:05 a.m.
Session I: Introduction of New Labs, Centers, and Services
- Moderator: James Willey, M.D.
- Speaker 1: Andrea Kalinoski, Ph.D.
- Speaker 2: Mark Wooten, Ph.D.
- Speaker 3: JT Zhang, Ph.D
9:05-9:35 a.m.
Session II: AI-driven medical research
- Moderator: Vinod Saladi, Ph.D.
- Speaker 1: Jasmine Liu, Ph.D.
- Speaker 2: Ryan Sadeghian, M.D.
9:35-10:20 a.m.
Session III: Infectious Diseases and Immunology
- Moderator: Travis Taylor, Ph.D.
- Speaker 1: Zachary T. Hilt, Ph.D.
- Speaker 2: Sneha Singh, Ph.D.
- Speaker 3: Aya Abugharbyeh, M.D.
10:20-10:30 a.m.
Coffee Break
10:30-11:15 a.m.
Session IV: Cardiovascular and Renal Diseases
- Moderator: Jennifer Hill, Ph.D.
- Speaker 1: Tao Yang, Ph.D.
- Speaker 2: Islam Osman, Ph.D.
- Speaker 3: Abhishek Maan, M.D.
11:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Session V: Cancer and Oncology Research
- Moderator: Natalie Rizk, M.D., Ph.D.
- Speaker 1: Vinod Saladi, Ph.D.
- Speaker 2: Jason Su, Ph.D.
- Speaker 3: Shahab Ud Din, M.D.
Afternoon
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Buffet Lunch
1:00-1:45 p.m.
Session VI: Neuroscience and Neurology
- Moderator: Arun Anantharam, Ph.D.
- Speaker 1: Lauren DePoy, Ph.D.
- Speaker 2: Mehmood Rashid, M.D.
- Speaker 3: James Burkett, Ph.D.
1:45-2:25 p.m.
Session VII: Keynote Address
- Moderator: JT Zhang, Ph.D.
- Keynote Seaker: Imran Ali, M.D., Dean of COMLS
2:25-2:30 p.m.
Coffee Break
2:30-3:20pm
Session VIII: Breakout Group Discussion
3:20-3:55 p.m.
Group Leader Presentations
3:55-4:00pm
Closing remarks
Research at UTCOMLS
For more information about research at UToledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, visit the following websites: