Minnesota Nathan Shock Symposium

Wednesday, July 29th, 2026

• 5:30 - 7:00pm: Welcome Reception 
  • Coffman Union Fountain Terrace - 1st floor
  • Fiesta Taco Buffet and cash bar
• 7:00 - 7:10pm: Welcome - Dr. Paul Robbins and Dr. Laura Niedernhofer
• 7:10 - 7:40pm: Dr. Sundeep Khosla (Mayo Clinic)
• 7:40 - 8:10pm: Dr. Orlando Schärer (U of Pittsburgh)
• 8:10 - 8:40pm:  Dr. K.J. Patel (University of Oxford)

Thursday, July 30th, 2026

Session 1: Endogenous DNA Damage 

Chair: Dr. Laura Niedernhofer

• 9:00 - 9:25am: Dr. Larry Marnett (Vanderbilt) 
• 9:25 - 9:50am: Dr. K.J. Patel (University of Oxford)
• 9:50 - 10:15am: Dr. Lei Zhang (UMN)

Coffee Break (10:15 - 10:45am)

Session 2: Molecular Consequences of Genome Instability and DNA Damage

Chair: Dr. Xiao Dong

• 10:45 - 11:10am: Dr. Natalia Tretyakova (UMN)
• 11:10 - 11:35am: Dr. Vera Gorbunova (Rochester)
• 11:35 - 12:00pm: Dr. Jan Vijg (Albert Einstein)

Lunch Break (box lunch provided) and poster set-up in the Mississippi Room (12 - 1pm). 

Session 3: DNA Damage Signaling

Chair: Dr. Elizabeth Schmidt

• 1:00 - 1:25pm: Dr. João Passos (Mayo Clinic)
• 1:25 - 1:50pm: Dr. Hai-Dang Nguyen (UMN)
• 1:50 - 2:15pm: Dr. Chris Bakkenist (U of Pittsburgh)

Coffee Break (2:15 - 2:45pm) 

Session 4: Cellular Consequences of Genome Instability and DNA Damage

Chair: Dr. Natalia Tretyakova

• 2:45 - 3:10pm: Dr. Xavier Revelo (UMN)
• 3:10 - 3:35pm: Dr. Peter Adams (Sanford Burnham Prebys)
• 3:35 - 4:00pm: Dr. John Sedivy (Brown)

Short talks selected from abstract awardees:

Chair: Dr. Matt Gill

• 4:00 - 4:15pm: TBA
• 4:15 - 4:30pm: TBA
• 4:30 - 4:45pm: TBA
• 4:45 - 5:00pm: TBA

Poster Session | Mississippi Room (#321) | 5:00 - 6:30pm

Symposium Dinner | West Wing, Coffman Campus Club, 4th floor | 7:00 - 9:00pm

Friday, July 31st, 2026

Session 5: Animal Models of Genome Instability

Chair: Dr. Ming Xu

• 9:00 - 9:25am: Dr. Laura Niedernhofer (UMN)
• 9:25 - 9:50am: Dr. Christy Pacak (UMN)
• 9:50 - 10:15am: Dr. Darren Baker (Mayo Clinic)

Coffee Break (10:15 - 10:30am)

Session 6: Genome Instability, DNA Damage and Human Disease

Chair: Dr. Doug Mashek

• 10:30 - 10:55am: Dr. Peter B Kang (UMN)
• 10:55 - 11:20am: Dr. Christina Boull (UMN)
• 11:20 - 11:55am: Dr. Anne Blaes (UMN)

Meeting Wrap-up

• 11:55 - 12:00pm: Dr Paul Robbins and Dr. Laura Niedernhofer

Box lunch provided for those staying for the afternoon agenda.

Afternoon Session: 

(trainees, speakers, Mn nsc executive committee and external advisory board) 

Trainee & Speaker Luncheon | 12:00 - 1:30pm | Coffman Conference Room 3-302

Scientific Advisory Board Meeting | 12:00 - 1:30pm | Coffman Conference Room 3-301

Trainees: Free*

Faculty: $125

Corporate: $175

*During registration, trainees can opt to partake in the Welcome Reception buffet on Wednesday evening (taco buffet with cash bar - $25) and/or the symposium dinner on Thursday evening (Campus Club - $40).  

Lodging is limited due to the concurrent American Society for Virology meeting on campus.  

We recommend booking as early as possible to get the symposium discounted rate ($169/night). Discounted rate at the Courtyard by Marriott is only available through the link below.  The $169/night discount option expires June 29, 2026 so book early. 

Invited speakers (not including abstract awardees) have reservations at the Graduate by Hilton and confirmation information will be shared mid-July. 

All registered attendees are welcome to submit an abstract regardless of scientific career stage. Abstracts/posters will not be accepted from companies or corporate sponsors.  Please see the "Exhibitor and Corporate Sponsors" page for more information for promoting your company. 

Abstract submissions are due June 26th, 2026.  Notifications will emailed on July 10th, 2026. 

Top Abstracts
The top four outstanding abstracts will be selected to present a 15 minute talk at the symposium and each will receive a $500 travel award.

Poster Guidelines
Poster size: 48" wide x 36" tall. No printing services are provided by the symposium organizers. Detailed information regarding your poster location, set-up timing, etc will be emailed the week prior.  Abstracts will not be published.

Abstract Submission Link
This link will take you to the MN NSC abstract submission form. If you encounter any issues or have questions, please contact MN NSC Program Manager, Chastity Healy [email protected]  

The mission of the Masonic Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism (MIBAM) and the Minnesota Nathan Shock Center of Excellence (MN NSC) on Genome Integrity and Aging is to engage the scientific community (faculty, clinicians, researchers, trainees and students) in celebration of research accomplishments in all biological sciences and to create a motivational environment to spur new ideas and collaborations towards developing new research. 

Industry partners are crucial collaborators to scientific progress and are invited to participate as exhibitors and/or sponsors. Your support will help us achieve our goals in building this robust event while sharing your products with attendees.  

Exhibitors interested in sponsoring the 1st Annual Minnesota Nathan Shock Center of Excellence on Genome Integrity and Aging should contact Chastity Healy, MN NSC Program Manager to arrange sponsorship. For inclusion on print materials at the event, please confirm by July 1st, 2026. 

Exhibitor Expectations and Details: 

• Exhibitors should wear a name tag (provided) during the event
• Exhibitors may participate in the event but are not permitted to promote their organization during session content, Q&A, etc
• Exhibitors are responsible for the transportation and set-up/tear down of their booths.  Timing will be provided closer to the date. There is no overnight storage available. We recommend bringing a cart. 

• Exhibitors may provide complimentary materials (brochures, swag) but are not permitted to sell anything on site.  You may offer coupons, vouchers, etc.  Successful exhibitors have unique swag items, giveaways/drawings, etc

   

Who should attend? 
We welcome all attendees! The goal of the symposium is to bring together researchers from all biological disciplines and at any career-stage.  Fostering scientific collaboration and educating the scientific community about NIA's Nathan Shock Centers of Excellence are the primary goals of our symposium.  The focus in year one will be Genome Integrity and Aging as that is the MN NSC's funded focus.  

Will the meeting be recorded? 
No video recordings will be taken during the event.  Photographs may be captured for website and social media purposes.   

Will the submitted abstracts be published? 
The abstracts submitted/accepted for the event will not be published.  

I may need to get some work done during programming and don’t want to take up the seat of someone actively watching the presentations - what should I plan to do? 
Thank you for your courtesy! The symposium is located in Coffman Union and there are ample spaces--both indoor and out--for taking time away from the plenary sessions without disruption.  

Are there lactation rooms available onsite? 
Yes, there is a lactation room on the first floor (Room 135; near the welcome desk).  In addition, a lactation pod can be utilized for added flexibility if requested. 

How can I access the event space? 
Coffman Theater is on the first floor of Coffman Union.  

If walking from the Graduate or the MetroTransit light rail, locate the Goldy Gopher statue (northeast corner of building) and enter the doors nearest the statue. Once through the foyer, take an immediate left past the caged dining counter and the theater will be just beyond.  

If arriving by car service, they will drop you off on the south side of Coffman (Delaware Street). Option 1 would be to take the stairs up to the fountain terrace.  Enter the center doors and go to the right down a short hall to the theater entrance. Option 2 would be to enter the lower level doors (ground level) and take the escalator up one level to 1st floor. In the first image below, the green arrow shows the ground level entrance and the maroon arrow shows the 1st floor, Fountain Terrace entrance. In the second image, the north side of the building (light rail side) is shown with the maroon arrow indicating the location of the Goldy Gopher statue.  Entering the doors next to the statue will lead you directly to the theater--immediately to the left once through the foyer. 

I am presenting a poster and am not sure what to expect. Where can I find resources? 
Information and logistics are available under the Abstract Competition and Poster Session tab. You can also expect to receive a number of emails from Chastity Healy [email protected] with detailed information. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Where can I park? 
Parking is available in the East River Road Garage. Please expect to pay a parking fee of $6.00 - $10.00. Take the elevator to Level 1 and exit the ramp. Upon exit, you will see Coffman directly across Delaware street.  Option 1 would be to take the stairs up to the fountain terrace.  Enter the center doors and go to the right down a short hall to the theater entrance. Option 2 would be to enter the lower level doors (ground level) and take the escalator up one level to 1st floor. 

I’d like to take public transportation to this event. 
Great! The nearest light rail stop is East Bank Station and is serviced by the Metro Transit Green Line. Trains run every 12 minutes.

What food/beverage options are available in Coffman? 
On the Ground Floor you will find the following food/beverage options: Starbucks Coffee, Sonic, Erbert & Gerbert's, King Hawaiian Grill, Panda Express, Einstein Bros Bagels.  In addition, the University Bookstore, also located on the Ground Floor has a convenience store-like section with bottled beverages and snacks.

If I want a short escape, what options do I have to explore? 
Next door to Coffman is the Weisman Art Museum (WAM).  It is free admission and open from 10am - 5pm Wednesday - Sunday. A second option would be to exit the Fountain Terrace-side of Coffman, cross over Delaware Street, through the Riverside Plaza and down the stairs. Across East River Parkway you will find paved walking/biking trail that traverse the entire length of the Mississippi River through the Mpls/StP metro.  

How do I let you know about my dietary restrictions? 
You will have the opportunity to share this information during registration. Our team will be in touch to ensure that meal options meet your needs. If you have any concerns, please reach out.

If I have questions about the event beforehand, who should I contact? 
Please reach out to MN NSC Program Manager Chastity Healy [email protected] 

What if I have questions on the event day?
Either email Chastity Healy [email protected] or engage the folks at the registration desk.

How can I share my feedback? 
You will receive a survey link after the event. If you have any pressing thoughts, we would love to hear them from you directly! Please reach out to Chastity Healy [email protected]