Celebration of TPP Research

By Anthony Blikslager

The Translational Pharmacology and Physiology (TPP) program of the Comparative Medicine Institute held their Spring Retreat March 23^rd at the JC Raulston Arboretum. At the event, entitled a “Celebration of TPP Research” both TPP faculty and associate members (postdoctoral fellows and graduate students) were encouraged to discuss the future of TPP. The discussion session, headed by Co-Directors Dr. Scott Laster and Dr. Anthony Blikslager, led to a number of interesting ideas including a requirement that the next round of seed grants focus on multi-investigator projects that demonstrate strong associate member involvement.  Very often, it is our associates who bridge our individual laboratories and it is hoped that this approach would spur new collaborations amongst the CMI membership. Associate members were also asked to bring posters of their work. The poster session, along with food and beverages, made for an excellent atmosphere during which the associates could discuss their research and make new connections.