2021 Science Writers' Boot Camp

Aging at Cell Resolution - Watch

Aging is inevitable, and while we gain one chronological year with the passing of each birthday, the biological outlook is quite variable. In this talk, Jude Phillip will present a novel approach to evaluate human aging from the perspective of changing cellular properties. This approach holds much promise, as it provides both an objective way to determine and track biological aging patterns and potential age-benefits that may come through medical and lifestyle interventions.

10:45-11:30 AM

The Western Diet, Your Genes and High Blood Pressure - Watch

Paul Welling is a professor of medicine, nephrology and physiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His research explores the molecular underpinnings of potassium and sodium balance, electrolyte disorders and hypertension. Welling’s talk will cover the interaction between diet and faulty genes.

How Individual Biology Contributes to Cancer Health Disparities - Watch

Janielle Maynard is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Pathology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her research investigates biological factors that contribute to cancer health disparities in racial/ethnic minorities and underserved populations. Maynard focuses on the inflammatory landscape of the tumor microenvironment and their role in initiation and aggressiveness of the cancer.

Immunity War: Males vs Females - Watch

What happens when we consider sex differences regarding immunity? For decades, scientists disregarded the question, excluding women from their investigations. But now researchers like Sabra Klein are changing the field and examining the cellular and molecular mechanisms that cause males and females to differ in their immune responses to viral infection and vaccination.

Making the Perfect Match - Watch

Although there are millions of genetic variants, scientists have only found a small percentage of genetic variants that influence our health. Ada Hamosh and Nara Sobreira are among a number of researchers who dedicate their careers to helping families find the genetic culprits in rare conditions. To help move the field forward, they developed the innovative online tool GeneMatcher. The interactive database is used around the globe to speed the novel disease gene discovery process by connecting the work of genetic investigators.

Living Well with HIV - Watch

People with HIV are living longer, thanks to new antiretroviral therapies. However, frail, older adults living with HIV are more vulnerable to worse health outcomes. Dr. Piggott will discuss the epidemiologic, biological and social determinants of frailty and how to decrease health disparities among people living longer with HIV. Dr. Piggott's clinical practice focuses on patients with HIV, and his research centers on understanding the biological, behavioral and social pathways necessary to improve survival and quality of life for persons aging with HIV. He is particularly concerned about socially marginalized, historically disadvantaged and resource-constrained HIV-infected communities.

Included: The Unique Challenges for People with Disabilities In Science and Medicine - Watch

Bonnielin Swenor is director of the Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center and an associate professor of ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute. Her research aims to maximize the health of people with disabilities, including visual impairments, and is fueled by her personal experience with a visual disability. In this talk, Swenor will cover how the disability community is often overlooked in conversations about health equity and how disability data gaps are connected to the underrepresentation of people with disabilities in science and medicine.

Building a Pipeline of Diverse Scientists - Watch

Hundreds of Baltimore City students have walked the hallowed halls of Johns Hopkins laboratories to get a closer look at the world of scientists through a program that connects researchers with high school students from economically disadvantaged communities. The hope is that some will be inspired to join the ranks of scientists who come from similar backgrounds. Cell biologist Doug Robinson began the pipeline program in 2009, by recruiting and hiring two high school scholars to work with him in his laboratory for the summer. Of the more than 170 high schoolers who have completed summer internships through Robinson’s program since its start, nearly three-quarters of them have chosen STEM fields in college. By this summer, the Careers in Science and Medicine program will have hosted 480 scholars across all programs for fifth grade, high school, undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students, who come from across the country, including 50 U.S. states, territories and Native American tribes. Robinson will take you through the remarkable journey of building the program and the stories of students on the path to become successful scientists.

The Ripple Effect: How Diversity in Science Improves Outcomes for All

Historically, advancements in science and medicine have largely been considered universally applicable, with scientists failing to consider the heterogeneity of human existence. From our smallest molecule to the communities we live in, we are all intrinsically unique. For this panel discussion, we will bring together basic scientists with health equity experts to examine the importance of diversity in basic science and clinical medicine research, and workforces, and the ways that diversity improves outcomes for all.

Closing Remarks

4 PM