From start to finish, #JECM2026 hosted by ITN INTEC and ISSEC, sponsored by Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was excellent. Such a wide range of topics including basic research, clinical case studies, and patient experiences. Congrats to Hervé Kempf, Olivier Vanakker, and local host Sven-Christian Pawelzik for putting together a memorable and inspiring meeting. Only way it could have been better is if it coincided with Monday's #NobelPrize in Physiology/Medicine announced at the Nobel Forum just 100 meters from the conference room!
Hej hej! Glad I got to explore #Stockholm prior to the start of the ISSEC ITN INTEC 2026 Joint Ectopic Calcification Meeting (#JECM2026) (and my presentation) tomorrow morning. Looking forward to hearing from world experts on #mineralization and its relevance across both common and rare diseases.
Looking forward to presenting new work from Julian Yang and Steffi Daniel, Ph.D. on calcification/hydroxyapatite (HAP) formation in #RPE cultures in vitro and its relevance to #AMD at the #JECM2026 meeting in #Stockholm, Sweden later this month.
Taking in some of the many sites around #Valencia before the #ISER2026 scientific program begins tomorrow. The architecture at La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias should not be missed!
Grant Alert! - Thank you to the THE WASIE FOUNDATION/UMN Rare Disease Center of Excellence and the University of Minnesota Dept. of Pediatrics for selecting our pilot grant for funding. This funding will support testing new approaches for rare, congenital/juvenile forms of #glaucoma.
Proud PI moment - Julian Yang successfully completed his Oral Preliminary Exam for the UMN Pharmacology #MPaT Graduate Program and an hour later he was back in the lab setting up his next experiment. Congrats to Julian for all the effort he put into preparation for his exam and on officially becoming a #PhD candidate! Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Neurosciences #UMNProud #Ophthalmology #AMD
Hard to believe that #ISER2026 in beautiful Valencia, Spain is a bit over 1 month away! Lots of great science on the agenda. On Tuesday 8/25 @ 8AM (Room MP 1D) I'll be co-chairing an #RPE-#Choroid and #AMD session with Goldis Malek, PhD on "Therapeutic targets beyond complement". Talks by Goldis Malek, PhD (Duke), Eric Weh (Michigan), Shima Shirzad (U. Montreal), Ayushi Singh Chauhan (NEI) and me. Hope to see you there!
Excellent news for the Hulleman Lab! We received our #NEI R01 competitive renewal NoA this month. Grateful for the opportunity to continue our work on developing treatments for #AMD and #IRDs with a focus on #EFEMP1 pathobiology. Thanks to University of Minnesota Medical School for highlighting our important work!
After two years of dedication, first as an undergrad, and most recently as a Research Professional 1, sadly, Friday was Anna Roovers last day in the Hulleman Lab. Yet, today is the first day in her next exciting journey as an MD/PhD student @ UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Will miss her passion for science, HiBiT editing skills, and daily battles vs. ARMS2, but looking forward to following all of her future accomplishments!
