Aspen/Snowmass Perinatal Biology Conference

PROJECT SUMMARY
This application seeks funding for travel costs to allow the attendance of 10 trainees or new investigators from
the USA and speakers’ fees for 5 invited early career speakers at the 2025 Aspen/Snowmass Perinatal Biology
Conference. The longstanding tradition of perinatal research in the US underpins our knowledge of the
physiologic basis of fetal development. Cellular and molecular techniques incorporated into investigation in the
last 20 years have allowed in depth understanding of the developmental basis of fetal physiology and the
pathophysiology of preeclampsia, IUGR, diabetes and premature delivery, conditions associated with perinatal
morbidity and mortality. There has been a burgeoning recognition that life in utero is associated with
development of disease in adult life, i.e. the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) or fetal
programming. This has fueled renewed interest in perinatal physiology. The perinatal research community is
multidisciplinary; bringing together clinicians and basic scientists interested in maternal, fetal, and placental
physiology and a substantial cadre of agricultural animal scientists who perform comparative studies of great
relevance to human physiology and development. It also has a strong tradition of training young basic and
clinician scientists. A vital part of their training experience is the opportunity to present work in venues where
they can interact with senior scientists and receive the benefit of mentorship from role models. This meeting
will feature presentations from maternal, fetal, placental and agricultural animal researchers around an
integrated theme of “Perinatal Programming: Challenges and Solutions for Optimizing Long-term Health.” The
meeting will be 3.5 days with multiple oral plenary sessions including new investigators. Plenary sessions will
be accompanied by interactive workshop sessions addressing key questions and challenges facing young and
URiS investigators in perinatal biology. New to the 2025 conference are several activities, including a “Effective
Scientific Writing”, an “Understanding and Leveraging Individual Personalities within the Team”, and “Tips for
Starting Your Independent Research Lab” workshops for trainees and junior faculty under-represented in
perinatal biology. Two poster discussion sessions are scheduled, and posters will be displayed for the entire
meeting to allow time for in-depth discussion of work. Prizes will be awarded for best poster presentations by
trainees or new investigators. Trainees and new investigators will be selected based on review of submitted
first author abstracts by the Scientific Advisory Committee for award of travel funds. There has always been a
high proportion (over 60% at our last meeting) of women attendees at previous meetings and women speakers
and session chairs at this meeting are well represented. Our URiS representation is around 19%, and we will
continue efforts to improve this number, especially with the designation of a minimum of 33% of the requested
budget used for travel by URiS young investigators. Our selected venue is compliant with the Americans with
Disabilities Act and provides childcare and numerous family activities to facilitate attendance by all individuals.

Grant Number: 1R13HD120052-01
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Ryan Ashley