21 May Highlights from Expo 2025: ITHS Symposium and Poster Session
The ITHS EXPO and Symposium, held in May at the University of Washington’s Center for Urban Horticulture, showcased the innovative research of our scholars and investigators from across the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI) region. Along with keynote speeches and lightning talks, attendees had the opportunity to connect with researchers at every stage of their careers and ignite potential collaborative work and partnerships.
Our symposium & poster session kicked off with a warm welcome from ITHS Executive Director Tong Sun, and the WE-REACH Executive Director Dr. Rodney Ho, who set the tone for an afternoon focused on translational science advancements.
The keynote session featured several members from the ITHS Executive Leadership Committee, sharing insights into their individual research programs. The lineup included Dr. John Amory, the Principal Investigator and the Co-Principal Investigators, Drs. Jodi Smith, Denise Dillard, Sarah Shannon, and Stephanie Lee—representing research institutions from Seattle to Montana. Each speaker offered valuable perspectives on the challenges and breakthroughs that have shaped their work.
Following the keynote, Lisa Stromme Warren, the ITHS Director of Communications, moderated a dynamic panel discussion with the five keynote speakers, diving deeper into how the research process translates into real-world clinical impact. Their conversation highlighted the importance of collaboration and community-centered strategies in driving translational science forward. [Click to view the panel discussion]
During the afternoon reception and poster session, attendees had the opportunity to speak with the poster presenters and dive deeper into their research projects. From early-stage innovations to clinical research, the posters highlighted the extent of translational work taking place throughout the WWAMI region.
This engaging afternoon concluded with the presentation of the Carlos De La Peña Award for Excellence in Translational Science to Dr. Tumaini Coker, the faculty co-director of the ITHS Integrating Special Populations program, highlighting her immeasurable contributions to the field of translational science.
Overall, the Expo 2025 delivered an incredible mix of knowledge sharing, networking, and community building—reflecting the collaborative and supportive nature of the ITHS community.
