Researchers investigating scientific mysteries often find vital help among their colleagues. To boost this scientific interaction, City of Hope recently hosted its second annual poster session, “Collaboration: Road to the Cure.”

Yuelong Ma, left, discusses her research with Richard Jove. (Photo by p.cunningham)

More than 300 basic, clinical and translational researchers met and mingled July 9 to learn about their colleagues’ work and uncover ways to advance their research together. David Horne, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Molecular Medicine, launched the event in Argyros Auditorium with a presentation describing his collaborative efforts to identify new molecular-targeted drug candidates; scientists then headed to Cooper Auditorium to review posters and discuss their work.

“Collaboration is an essential element to the advancement of science, medicine and patient care,” said Richard Jove, Ph.D., Morgan and Helen Chu Director’s Chair of Beckman Research Institute. “City of Hope’s superb mix of basic scientists, clinical investigators and translational researchers offers an exceptional pool of scientific expertise from which investigators can nurture fruitful collaborations.”

A faculty panel judged posters, with prizes going to the best posters in each of four categories: graduate students, clinical fellows and residents, postdoctoral fellows and researchers with bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Posters were judged on content, design and appearance, as well as each presenter’s knowledge and presentation skills.

“While the winning posters stood out, all of the posters were extremely well done and embodied the spirit of the event,” said Jove. “I’m very excited at the turnout, and I’m looking forward to seeing the collaborative projects that come from it.”

Laurett Rivera, postdoctoral studies program manager, and Jonathan Espenschied, M.D., director of the Clinical Research Training Office, co-chaired the event.