We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of our inaugural Houston Nutrition Obesity Research Center (H-NORC) Symposium, held on November 4, 2023 at the Beth Robertson Auditorium, Sarofim Research Building, Houston, Texas. This landmark event marked a significant milestone in fostering collaboration and advancing research in obesity and nutrition within the Greater Houston area and beyond. With over 120 attendees representing 40 research labs from prestigious institutions such as Baylor College of Medicine, UT Houston, University of Houston, Methodist Hospital, MD Anderson, and Texas A&M, the symposium showcased a rich diversity of expertise and perspectives.
The symposium featured an engaging lineup of 30 oral presentations and over 50 posters, covering a broad range of topics within the field of obesity and nutrition research. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Robert H. Eckel from the University of Colorado, delivered an inspiring lecture on metabolic pathways contributing to cardiometabolic diseases, highlighting his professional journey and sparking discussions among participants at various career stages, from basic researchers to clinicians.
This event not only provided a platform for intellectual exchange on cutting-edge research but also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling complex health challenges related to obesity and nutrition. The enthusiastic participation and the high quality of research presented underscore our commitment to making this symposium an annual event, aimed at enhancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and building a vibrant research community across the Texas Medical Center and the wider region.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all speakers, participants, organizing committee members, and sponsors for their contributions to the success of this symposium. We look forward to continuing this tradition of excellence in the years to come, as we work together to advance the frontiers of obesity and nutrition research.
Short Talk Prize Winners
- Viola Viola – Baylor College of Medicine
- Hailan Liu – Baylor College of Medicine
- Hanyue Liao – University of Houston
- Susheel K. Gunasekar – Texas A&M University
- Elizabeth Anaya – Baylor College of Medicine
Poster Prize Winners
- Kristine McDermott – Baylor College of Medicine
- Mengjie Wang – Baylor College of Medicine
- Alexes Daquinag – University of Texas Health Houston
- Jing Cai – University of Texas Health Houston
- Elizabeth Kubota-Mishra – Baylor College of Medicine
- Yanyan Jiang – University of Texas Health Houston
- Ji Youn Youn – Baylor College of Medicine
- Evelyne Tantry – Baylor College of Medicine
- Eleanor Davis – University of Texas Health Houston
- Jongmin Jeong – University of Texas Health Houston
Sponsors
- ABclonal
- Gempharmatech Co. LTD.
- RWD Life Science Inc
- TSE Systems, Inc.
- Vazyme International LLC