Research Symposium and Young Scientist Program
Join us on campus November 13 and 14, 2026!
Event Details
Whether you’re presenting your work or exploring new ideas, the Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences annual Research Symposium and Young Scientist Program offer opportunities to connect, collaborate and get inspired.
* The abstract submission deadline has passed, but the public is welcome to attend. RSVP online now or register at the event.
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Audience
The Research Symposium and Young Scientist Program are open to DMU students, faculty and staff; undergraduate college students; high school students; and the regional medical and scientific community.
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Dates
Abstract Submission Deadline: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026
Research Symposium: Friday, Nov. 13, 2026
Young Scientist Program: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026 -
Location
8025 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa, 50266
Edge of Advancement, First Floor
Event Schedule
Friday, Nov. 13:
Research Symposium
| Time | |
|---|---|
| 8 a.m. | Sign-In / Refreshments |
| 8:30 a.m. | Welcome / Opening Remarks |
| 8:45 a.m. |
Keynote Speaker: Trisha Wise-Draper, MD, PhD Indiana University School of Medicine |
| 9:30 a.m. | Poster Session 1 |
| 10:40 a.m. | Poster Session 2 |
| 11:40 a.m. | Lunch |
| 12:30 p.m. |
Panel Discussion: Rehabilitation, Wearables and Patient-Centered Outcomes Moderators: Elitsa Ananieva, PhD LiLian Yuan, PhD |
| 1:30 p.m. | Poster Session 3 |
| 2:40 p.m. | Poster Session 4 |
| 3:40 p.m. | DMU Student Oral Presentations |
| 5 p.m. | Awards |
Saturday, Nov. 14:
Young Scientist Program
| Time | |
|---|---|
| 8 a.m. | Sign-In / Refreshments / Interactive Exhibits |
| 9 a.m. | Poster Session 1 |
| 10 a.m. | Welcome / Opening Remarks |
| 10:05 a.m. |
Keynote Speaker: Beth Townsend, JD Iowa Workforce Development |
| 11 a.m. | Poster Session 2 |
| 11:45 a.m. | Lunch |
| 12:30 p.m. |
Katie Miller Young Adult Cancer Conference HPV and Risk of Cervical and HN Cancer, Prevention and Current Treatment With a Focus on Young Adults Moderator and Panelists, Indiana University School of Medicine: Trisha Wise-Draper, MD, PhD Rachel Katzenellenbogen, MD Janice Farlow, MD, PhD, FACS |
| 1:30 p.m. | Poster Session 3 |
| 2:30 p.m. | Awards |
Trisha Wise-Draper, MD, PhD
Keynote Speaker, 2026 DMU Research Symposium
Moderator, 2026 Katie Miller Young Adult Cancer Conference
Trisha Wise-Draper, MD, PhD, is a professor of medicine and the division chief of hematology/oncology at Indiana University as well as the deputy director of the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Wise-Draper is internationally recognized for her research in the development of innovative cancer therapies by performing translational research in her laboratory on therapy resistance mechanisms and biomarker identification specifically in head and neck cancer and other solid tumors. Her specific interests include novel immunotherapy combinations for head and neck cancer. She is also the recipient of grants from the Department of Defense, American Cancer Society and NIH/NCI. She has developed several investigator-initiated trials in head and neck cancer published in high impact journals such as clinical cancer research. She also serves as PI on several industry and cooperative group studies. She was named Hem/Onc Teacher of the Year in 2026, as well as Clinical Trialist of the Year at the University of Cincinnati in 2019 and 2024 after receiving the Rising Star Award in 2018, and the Research Service Award in 2022. She is a senior editor of clinical cancer research, chair of the previously untreated locally advanced working group and medical oncology vice chair for the NRG Oncology Head and Neck Cancer Committee. She serves on the Head and Neck Steering Committee for the NCI, and is an active member of ASCO, AACR, ESMO and SITC.
Beth Townsend, JD
Keynote Speaker, 2026 DMU Young Scientist Program
Beth Townsend, JD, is the executive director of Iowa Workforce Development, the state agency that helps Iowans find employment and connects employers with workforce solutions. The agency also administers Iowa’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs, vocational rehabilitation services, unemployment insurance and disability determination services. Townsend has served as executive director since 2015.
Prior to joining Iowa Workforce Development, Townsend practiced law in Iowa and served as director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. She also served in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps and retired from the Air Force Reserve as a lieutenant colonel after 21 years of active and reserve service.
Townsend earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Katie Miller Young Adult Cancer Conference
The Katie Miller Young Adult Cancer Conference, hosted by Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, is named in memory of Katherine “Katie” Miller, a DMU student remembered by classmates for her kindness, determination, compassion and drive.
Katie died from colon cancer in 2005 at age 26, just six months after her diagnosis. In her honor, the Miller family generously supports this annual conference to raise awareness of cancer in young adults, encourage dialogue and research and recognize the experiences of survivors, patients and their loved ones.
“The conference focuses on young adults because so little is known about cancer in that population. It can be difficult for people Katie’s age to recognize symptoms or have their concerns taken seriously,” said her late father, Richard Miller. “As much of a huge loss her death was to us and to the medical profession, she’s helping bring attention to that.”
Rachel A. Katzenellenbogen, MD
Panelist, 2026 Katie Miller Young Adult Cancer Conference
Rachel A. Katzenellenbogen, MD, is the chief of the adolescent medicine division and co-leader of the IUSCCC Cancer Prevention and Control program at Indiana University. Katzenellenbogen also serves as Richard E. and Pauline P. Klingler Professor of Pediatrics and professor of microbiology and immunology.
She completed medical school at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and trained in pediatrics, adolescent medicine and STD research at the University of Washington. She is board-certified in pediatrics and adolescent medicine and care for patients at the Riley Hospital for Children. She conducts research on HPV and HPV-associated cancers and is the co-director of the Center for HPV Research.
Janice L. Farlow, MD, PhD, FACS
Panelist, 2026 Katie Miller Young Adult Cancer Conference
Janice L. Farlow, MD, PhD, FACS, is an assistant professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, who specializes in head and neck oncology and microvascular reconstruction at Indiana University School of Medicine. She completed residency at the University of Michigan, followed by fellowship at The Ohio State University James Cancer Center. Her current work focuses on advancing head and neck oncology through personalized oncologic treatment and supportive care for individuals with head and neck cancer. She also studies head and neck surgery outcomes, medical education and equity, diversity and inclusion.
Other Research Events
Student Research Colloquium
Each spring, DMU students present their scholarly and creative work through oral and poster presentations.
This event showcases student research across disciplines and provides an opportunity to engage with presenters, ask questions and support our students’ academic achievements.
Contact the Office of Research
The Office of Research sponsors and organizes a wide variety of programs and events throughout the year.
Contact us at Research@dmu.edu to get involved in or learn more about research at DMU.