The Duke K12 Urologic Research Career Development Program hosted its 10th Annual Multidisciplinary Benign Urology Research Symposium on April 9th, 2025. Under the leadership of Drs. Cindy Amundsen, Friederike Jayes, and Rebecca Kameny, the Duke KURe program recruits talented clinical, translational and basic science researchers from diverse disciplines who are interested in building an independent research career using collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches to benign urological research questions. Each year, they host a symposium to highlight research in benign urology. Over 100 people registered to participate in this year’s symposium and a record number of abstracts were received (38 abstracts).
The symposium focused on topics related to artificial intelligence use in urology research and on advancing the precision of neuromodulation in urology . Many CAIRIBU-affiliated investigators, including Bin Ni, MD, PhD (K12 Scholar, Duke University), Jim Hokanson, PhD (K12 Alum, Duke University), Giulia Ippolito, MD (K12 Scholar, University of Michigan), Maryellen Kelly, DNP, CPNP (K12 Alum Duke University), and Natasha Wilkins, PhD (K12 Scholar, Duke University) gave podium presentations, or served as panelists or moderators.
Several CAIRIBU-affiliated trainees were awarded CAIRIBU Interactions Core Travel Awards to attend this meeting. The purpose of these awards is to encourage participation by trainees and early-stage investigators in conferences, educational meetings, workshops, and other events hosted by Urology Centers and K12 Career Development Programs within the CAIRIBU Community by offering funds to cover travel-related expenses. The travel awardees are:
- Lola Admoyero, Brody School of Medicine, ECU
- Neha Gaddam, MedStar Georgetown University
- Mina Ghatas,* Virginia Commonwealth University
- Wei He, Medical College of Wisconsin
- Samantha McGuire,* Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University
- Nuhame Mulugeta, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Didem Ozcan-Tezgin, Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University
- Gabriella Robilotto,* Medical College of Wisconsin
- Diery-Leando Saint-Vil, McGill University
- Farshad Samadifam, Medical College of Wisconsin
- Priyanka Saraf,* Virginia Commonwealth University
- Mariam William, Virginia Commonwealth University
*Of special note, 4 CAIRIBU Travel Award recipients won top honors at the meeting:
- Best Basic Science Poster: Samantha McGuire, MS (graduate student, Eastern Virginia Medical School)
- Cxcl17 Alters urinary function but does not affect foam cell formation in the mouse prostate
- Best Translational Science Poster: Priyanka Saraf, BA (medical student, Virginia Commonweath University)
- Association between bladder shape and detrusor overactivity in ultrasound urodynamics
- Top Basic Science Abstract (podium presentation): Gabriella Robilotto, BS (graduate student, Medical College of Wisconsin)
- Optical inhibition of OPN3 with transdermal light reduces nociceptive behaviors in mice with acute cystitis
- Top Translational Science Abstract (podium presentation): Mina Ghatas, MS (graduate student, Virginia Commonwealth University)
- A preliminary study utilizing Bladder NIRS as a non-invasive approach to detect detrusor overactivity in patients with OAB
Additionally,
- Top Basic Science Abstract (podium presentation): Ananya Pinnamaneni, (undergraduate student, Duke University and mentee of KURe alumnus Michael Odom, MD)
- Estrogen-dependent mechanisms increase urothelial c-fiber populations and contribute to the pathogenesis of overactive bladder in female type 1 diabetic Akita mice
- Top Clinical Science Abstract (podium presentation): Bin Ni, MD, PhD (K12 Scholar, Duke University),
- Assessing incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of BK virus-related complications following kidney transplantation.
- Top Clinical Science Abstract (podium presentation): Aaron Stewart, MD (Urology Resident, Duke University),
- Enhancing urology referral intake through artificial intelligence-assisted pre-charting: a pilot study.
- Best Clinical Science Poster: Jasmine Arrington, MD (Ob-Gyn Resident, Duke University and mentee of KURe PI Cindy Amundsen, MD)
- Nocturia and falls associations among Lower Urinary Tract Network cohort
Congratulations to the awardees! With support from the CAIRIBU Interactions Core Travel Awards, emerging researchers engaged with leaders in the field, highlighting the importance of collaboration and innovation in advancing benign urological research.