The Network Effect: TMC Young Investigator Showcase

Thurs., April 2, 2026 | 9:30am – 2:30pm

Houston Methodist Research Institute (6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030) 2nd Floor Lobby & Bookout Auditorium (R2-306)

REGISTER TO ATTEND OR PRESENT

Submission Deadline: Friday, March 13, 5pm CT 

This showcase brings together researchers from across the Texas Medical Center to spark new collaborations and highlight innovative scientific work. Attendees will hear a series of rapid‑fire flash talks where emerging investigators present completed projects or pitch early‑stage ideas in need of partners. A featured keynote session, “Bridging the Gap”, will explore successful collaborations between clinicians and basic scientists. The event concludes with a dynamic poster session that spotlights cutting‑edge research from rising talent across the TMC community.

(9:30 – 10:00 AM) Registration & Welcome (Breakfast served: while supplies last)

(10:00 – 11:30 PM) Flash Talk Sessions by Topic

• Session I: Collaborative Research Innovations
• Session II: Emerging Technologies & Translational Opportunities
• Session III: Building Partnerships Across the TMC

(11:30 – 12:00) Lunch served (while supplies last)

(12:00 – 1:00 PM) Keynote Talk: Bridging the Gap

A multidisciplinary team at Houston Methodist is developing a personalized cancer vaccine aimed at transforming care for women with triple negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive and treatment resistant tumor types. “Cancer vaccines wake up the immune system and call in the soldiers — our T cells — to recognize and attack cancer cells.”, oncologist Dr. Kai Sun noted. This event brings together Dr. John Cooke’s lab, represented by Dr. Mai Komori (RNA therapeutics), Dr. Kai Sun (oncology) to discuss how RNA technology, immunotherapy, and nanomedicine can be unified into a cancer vaccine therapeutic platform. Supported by GMP clean rooms, an RNA core, and fully integrated clinician–scientist collaboration, Houston Methodist can design and manufacture personalized vaccines entirely in‑house—an essential advantage within the short post‑surgery treatment window.

(1:00 – 2:30 PM) Poster Session & Networking