blue & bold — Rogala Lab member
Ψ — equal contribution
@ — corresponding author
Our post-baccalaureate student, Francie Igboabuchi, was selected to present a poster at the 2024ABRCMS conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 13-16. Below, Francie shares her conference experience.
The 2024 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) held in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was truly extraordinary and filled with inspiration. With over 6,000 attendees—students, judges, and representatives from various institutions—the conference provided a dynamic platform for sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration in the biomedical sciences. The keynote speeches, workshops, and networking opportunities were enriching. The notable keynote speakers, including Dr. Avery August, Dr. Stefano Bertuzzi, and Ed Gainey, Mayor of Pittsburgh, kicked off the event and shared their personal and professional journeys, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and innovation in the face of adversity.
ABRCMS is an NIH-funded conference dedicated to promoting diversity in biomedical and health-related sciences. It empowers undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds by showcasing their research, connecting with peers and mentors, and exploring career development opportunities through presentations, workshops, and mentorship. Each year, the conference also features a diverse array of exhibitors and recruiters from graduate and medical schools, offering opportunities to explore potential career paths and network with professionals eager to support the next generation of scientists.
A highlight of the conference was presenting my poster on the assembly of various protein complexes on the surface of lysosomes. It was an honor to share our research conducted at the Rogala Lab at Stanford and demonstrate how our findings contribute to understanding cellular processes and their implications for cancer biology. Engaging with judges and fellow attendees during my presentation sparked discussions that ignited my curiosity and shed more light on the significance of our work. Equally fulfilling was the chance to support my peers in my REACH Post-baccalaureate Program cohort. Witnessing their passion and dedication as they presented their scientific projects inspired me and reinforced the importance of collaboration and mentorship within our community. Celebrating each other’s successes and sharing insights on our respective research endeavors created an atmosphere of encouragement that was truly uplifting.
In conclusion, my experience at ABRCMS 2024 not only sparked inspiration but also reinforced my commitment to my research and the broader scientific community. I am excited to carry the momentum from this event as I move forward in my academic pursuits, empowered by the knowledge that I am part of a vibrant and supportive network of future scientists. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Stanford School of Medicine’s REACH Initiative, the Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, and my principal investigator, Dr. Kacper Rogala, for their invaluable support. Through their guidance and generous funding, it was possible for me to present our research at the Rogala Lab at the ABRCMS conference. Thank you for being an integral part of my journey and for believing in me.
Written by: Francie Igboabuchi, Postbaccalaureate student, December 2024
