The 2026 Samuel L. Katz Research Retreat, held April 6–8, drew a record number of submissions that showcased groundbreaking pediatric research from Duke and beyond.
A highlight of this year’s event was the unprecedented number of abstract submissions: 112 in total. These abstracts were featured in both poster sessions and platform presentations (Abstract Book), with contributions from Duke researchers and from the Duke Pediatrics Research Scholars (DPRS+) at Duke–NUS in Singapore. Research topics covered a wide spectrum, from the genomics of disease and medical education to therapeutic development, drug efficacy, and safety.
Following a rigorous peer review, top abstract awards were presented to:
- Dr. Ara Jo, a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Corinne Linardic’s lab, for her work on a novel long non-coding RNA therapeutic for Rhabdomyosarcoma.
- Josh Lin, an undergraduate, for his research using Cine MRI to evaluate Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
- Caroline Kee, a graduate student in the School of Nursing, for her study on predictors of adolescent retention in obesity treatment programs.
- Dr. Andrew Grose, Med/Peds resident, for his insights into early papillomavirus vaccination programs.
For the first time, the retreat introduced a competitive Poster Competition. The top 20% of abstracts, as determined by peer review, vied for honors during a session judged by faculty. The winners were:
- First place: Dr. John Barber, Allergy and Immunology Clinical Fellow, for his work on memory B cell recall following HIV-1 Env nanoparticle immunization.
- Second place: Margaret Anne Smith, medical student, for her analysis of the costs associated with aortic arch monitoring.
- Third place: Ashley Nmoh, medical student, for her co-designed intervention supporting Black family health in early infancy.
April 7 featured a Special Grand Rounds keynote by Dr. Paul Watkins of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, who spoke on "Novel Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and Pediatric Drug Safety." The session included a panel discussion with Drs. Watkins, Hornik, and González, focusing on quantitative systems toxicology models and their application in pediatric populations.
The retreat concluded on April 8 with practice sessions for presenters heading to the Pediatric Academic Societies Conference. Dr. Jennifer Cohen and Ashley Nmoh delivered their talks and received feedback, followed by the presentation of awards by Vice Chair of Research Dr. Christoph Hornik.
The 3-day retreat celebrated the excellence, collaboration, and impact of pediatric research at Duke.