KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - In an exciting new collaboration, the A.T. Still Research
Institute (SRI) at A.T. Still University (ATSU) has partnered with
Truman State University in Kirksville to host the first Interdisciplinary Biomedical
Research Symposium. The symposium, to be held from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., September 26,
at ATSU's Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM), will set the
foundation for more interdisciplinary biomedical research between the ATSU
and Truman campuses and beyond.

"The purpose of this event is to expand and support the research culture at
both campuses," said Neil Sargentini, Ph.D., microbiology/immunology chair
at KCOM and chair of the symposium program committee. "Our goals are to
identify new areas of biomedical research that potentially will lead to
advances in total person healthcare and wellness and to identify local
resources and opportunities for research."

Symposium agenda 

A full schedule of activities is slated for the symposium, including oral
and poster presentations on research resources and accomplishments by ATSU
and Truman faculty and students; panel discussions on human research, animal
models, and student research opportunities; and a keynote presentation by
President and CEO of Health Sciences South Carolina Jay Moskowitz, Ph.D.

Dr. Moskowitz will bring his vast experience in working through federal,
state, and foundation systems to develop programs that facilitate research
programs and careers of emerging basic science and physician investigators.
He has served as a member of SRI's External Board of Scientific Counselors
since SRI's inception in 2001.

"Because of his experience, Dr. Moskowitz will be able to present insightful
information on how to link independent campus research and research groups
into a collaborative research network," said Brian Degenhardt, D.O., SRI
director and assistant vice president for osteopathic research. "He will
present the challenges and barriers that he has experienced in establishing
research programs and what resolutions were developed to overcome these
challenges."

Biomedical research 

Research topics to be covered at the symposium include a combination of
observational, clinical, and mechanistic studies. These areas of focus were
specifically chosen because they are strategic areas of research for SRI,
are consistent with areas of research routinely supported at the
National Institutes of Health (NIH), and are fundamental to the scientific process.

"Observational studies, a subset of clinical studies, provide evidence to
support broader, more rigorous and expensive prospective, randomized, and
double blinded studies," explained Dr. Degenhardt. "Clinical studies tend to
have the greatest relevance for the practice of medicine although they can
be more challenging to perform than research on animals. Mechanistic studies
are necessary to advance the understanding of the physiologic mechanisms
underlying the effects seen in clinical studies."

Faculty and student researchers will present topics from these three areas
at the symposium.

Importance of collaboration 

Planning for the inaugural symposium began more than a year ago by a
committee consisting of representatives from Truman, ATSU, and SRI.
Facilitating a strong research environment is a priority at ATSU,
particularly in areas that promote osteopathic principles, study the aging
process, and that help people live healthier, longer lives.

"Both universities take this common goal seriously," said Dr. Degenhardt.
"This conference is intended to facilitate each campus' research activity by
identifying common areas of interest between professors with different yet
complementary skill sets particularly in areas that have the potential of
influencing future medical care.

"By partnering with other educational institutions such as Truman State
University and providing a platform at a public event, we encourage
researchers to present their research and to talk about research interests
and resources," he said.

The NIH has also recently made interdisciplinary research a priority.
"Collaborative, interdisciplinary research expands the view of a single
discipline to a broader, potentially more holistic view of the questions
being asked within the scientific field," said Dr. Sargentini. "Outcomes
from this type of research should better support healthcare that is
consistent with osteopathic principles."

Looking to the future 

The program committee anticipates establishing the symposium as an annual
event to include both ATSU's Missouri and Arizona campuses as well as Truman
State University. So far, the committee has received interest from new and
active faculty and student researchers. "There is also the possibility, in a
few years, of expanding the event to target a national researcher audience,"
said Dr. Degenhardt. This means continuing to include other research
institutions in the collaborative process.

Until then, the inaugural symposium is set for success, and the committee
continues to welcome abstract submissions related to biomedical science
research until September 1. To learn more about the symposium, visit
 www.atsu.edu/research/conferences_seminars.