On May 11, 2026, scientists, researchers, trainees, and faculty from across UCSF gathered for the inaugural PCB, IHG, and MSK Joint Symposium, a vibrant new cross-campus event centered on the theme: “Genetics, Development, and Disease of the Skeleton.” The symposium brought 58 members of the UCSF Program in Craniofacial Biology (PCB), the Institute for Human Genetics (IHG), the Musculoskeletal Center (MSK), and the broader Parnassus Institutes community together to foster scientific exchange, collaboration, and community building.
The half-day program featured short talks by trainees that showcased cutting-edge research spanning developmental biology, genetics, skeletal disease, translational science, and emerging therapeutic approaches. A lively poster session provided opportunities for attendees to connect, share ideas, and highlight innovative research from laboratories across UCSF.
A key highlight of the symposium was the recognition of outstanding trainee research presentations through competitive awards for Best Short Talk and Best Poster, each accompanied by a $1,000 prize.
Best Short Talk Award
Grace Ramey (Tony Capra’s Lab, IHG)
“Leveraging Human Genetic Variation to Therapeutically Target Genes Linked to Skeletal Dysplasias, Bone Disorders, Myopathies, and Other Dominant Conditions”
Best Poster Award
Nicha Tokavanich, PhD (Wanida Ono’s Lab, PCB)
“Salt-inducible Kinases Inactivation Reverses Primary Failure of Eruption in Mice”
The symposium was made possible through generous support from the Parnassus Institutes Community Fund, which promotes collaboration, education, and scientific engagement across UCSF’s research community. This inaugural event marks the beginning of a new tradition for advancing shared knowledge and discovery at UCSF.