20th Anniversary Stem Cells, Cell Therapies, and Bioengineering in Lung Biology and Diseases

Hosted by the University of Vermont

20th Anniversary Conference

stem cell logo

Dates and Location

July 7 - 10, 2025
UVM Dudley H. Davis Center in Burlington, Vermont

This biennial invitational event draws top researchers in the field and their trainees from around the world. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss recent research, explore opportunities for new collaborations, and identify the most important needs and priorities for future programs in stem cell, cell therapy, and bioengineering approaches to explore lung biology and/or prevent and treat lung diseases.

Join the conversation on Twitter #VTStemCell2025 

Registration is now open!

Attendee Registration

High School STEM Experience Application

Pricing

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Registrant Types:

Early-Bird Registration
(Ends Dec 20)

Regular Registration
(Through April 30)

Late Registration
(Begins May 1)

Senior Investigator

$700

$800

$900

Junior Investigator
(independent group <5 years)

$600

$650

$750

Trainee
(student, postdoc, fellow, etc)

$450

$495

$595

Industry Representative

$1500 Regardless of registration date

Non-Profit Representative:

$950 Regardless of registration date

Pre-Conference Workshop ONLY

$400

High School STEM ExperienceFree, application required

Optional Pre-Conference Workshop: $175 

Hands-On Training in State-Of-The-Art Methods in Stem Cells, Cell Therapies, and Bioengineering

The $175 Pre-Conference Workshop is a full day program featuring hands-on training in state-of-the-art techniques in stem cells, cell therapies and bioengineering. Additionally, technical skills sessions are often offered.

This workshop is geared primarily toward Trainees and Junior Investigators, at a price designed to encourage them to participate and learn new techniques in the field, but all investigators (excluding industry representatives) are welcome to attend. For details, please see the pre-conference agenda below.

REFUNDS: Minus an administrative fee of $150, refunds will be made only if written notice is received at uvmcmie@med.uvm.edu prior to June 20, 2025. Refunds are not possible after that date. Substitutions may be possible; please call (802) 656-2292 to inquire.

Lodging

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Room blocks are reserved at two premier lakefront hotels with shuttle service provided to the Davis Center conference site. The two hotels are located adjacent to each other in downtown Burlington near the waterfront of Lake Champlain. Each hotel has its own cancellation policy.

The Monday evening program will take place at the Hotel Vermont, and the Wednesday evening dinner cruise departs and returns nearby. We anticipate that bus service will be provided at appropriate times between the hotels and the University campus.

Parking: on-site parking fee is $15/day; currently complimentary for hotel guests, two Tesla charging stations are available; in addition, the adjacent city parking garage offers four EV charging stations (charges apply). Please note that parking at each hotel is attached to a garage owned by the City of Burlington.

Reservations must by made by Thursday, June 7, 2025. 

We recommend that reservations be made as early as possible as the room block has filled quickly in the past.

Hotel Vermont

41 Cherry Street, Burlington Vermont

Weekday Rates: $249 per night (excluding applicable taxes)
Weekend Rates: $329 per night (excluding applicable taxes)
       To reserve call: 1-855-650-0080
       Hotel website

Book Hotel Vermont online

Courtyard Burlington Harbor

25 Cherry Street, Burlington Vermont

Weekday Rates: $229 per night (excluding applicable taxes)
Weekend Rates: $309 per night (excluding applicable taxes)
       To reserve call: 1-800-321-2211
       Hotel website

Book The Courtyard online

Agenda

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Please visit the conference agenda for a detailed review of events. 

Download the Conference Agenda (PDF) 

Download the High School STEM Experience Agenda (PDF)

Course Directors and Faculty

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Faculty and Organizing Committees

2025 Executive Committee Name
Conference Chairs:Amy L. Ryan, PhD, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Robert E. Hynds, PhD, University College London, United Kingdom
Vice Chair:Claudia Loebel, PhD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Founder and Emeritus Chair:Daniel J. Weiss, MD, PhD, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT (2005-2015)
Emeritus Chair:Darcy Wagner, PhD, Lund University, Sweden (2017-2019)

Senior Organizing Committee

Name and TitleName and Title
Janette Burgess, PhD, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, NLHarry Karmouty-Quintana, PhD, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
Laertis Ikonomou, PhD, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NJAnna Krasnodembskaya, PhD, Queen’s University, Belfast, United Kingdom
Jamie Hook, MD, Mount Sinai, New York, NYRuth Olmer, PhD, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
Jaymin Kathiriya, PhD, Mount Sinai, New York, NYLaure-Emmanuelle Zaragosi , PhD, Université Côte d'Azur, Sophia-Antipolis, France

Junior Organizing Committee

Name and Title
Sinem Koc-Gūnel, MD University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany

Accreditation

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Joint Accreditation Certification

In support of improving patient care, The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Abstract and Poster Presentation Awards

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Outstanding Abstract Achievement Presentation Awards will be given to Junior Investigators and Trainees whose abstracts are selected through a blinded review process. The submission deadline is April 21, 2025.

In addition to oral presentation awards, competitively selected research posters will be judged during the conference in Poster Presentation Sessions. Awards will be given to the top poster presentation in each session.

Visit the Abstract and Presentation page for more information and submission guidelines.

Elevator Pitch Competition

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We will once again be offering Junior Investigators and Trainees the opportunity to participate in an elevator pitch "Minute to Win It" competition. This competition is for a one-minute synopsis of their research. The top two elevator pitches received awards!

Participation in the pitch competition is limited to poster presenters who are junior investigators or trainees that have not already received an oral presentation award. There will be two thematic poster sessions in the afternoon following the Elevator Pitch Competition.

The deadline for submission of the slide is Friday June 13, 2025 and prior to the conference date you will be invited to attend a pre-conference online workshop for developing an elevator pitch presentation.

Learn more and enter the competition.

High School STEM Day

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The High School STEM Mentorship Program is a unique opportunity for curious, motivated students to step into the world of cutting-edge lung science and biomedical research. Launched during the 10th Stem Cells, Cell Therapies, and Bioengineering in Lung Biology and Diseases conference in 2023, the program was created to empower students from underrepresented and rural communities through mentorship, exposure to academic careers, and interactive STEM experiences.

For the 2025 Conference, up to 25 high school students will be selected to participate in this immersive experience. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Learn more and apply to participate