Project Summary/Abstract
We request partial support for the Hemostasis Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) and Gordon Research
Conference (GRC) held from August 3-9, 2024, in Waterville Valley, NH. The 2024 Hemostasis GRC is the 36th
meeting in this series which is widely considered as the premier scientific meeting for hemostasis and thrombosis
research. The GRC/GRS fulfills the mission of the NHLBI in several important ways. First, the Hemostasis
GRS/GRC is an extremely important forum in the blood science arena in which the latest unpublished research
is presented and major advances in the field are unveiled. The meeting brings together researchers interested
in the biology, biochemistry, and genetics of blood clotting proteins and platelets; physicians treating bleeding
and thrombotic diseases, scientists from pharmaceutical companies developing new therapies for hemostatic
disorders. Seminal discoveries in hemostasis and thrombosis and allied fields have stemmed from interactions
originating at this conference. Free exchange of ideas and unpublished research, among all attendees, is a key
to the success of our programs. Second, emphasis of this conference on young and emerging investigators to
ensure the long-term sustainability of the blood science workforce. As such, the hemostasis GRC is preceded
by the GRS, a two-day program exclusively focused on trainees who are committed to research careers in
hemostasis and thrombosis. The GRS is organized and run by trainees. Third, and a major priority of the 2024
Hemostasis GRS and GRC programs, is to increase the diversity of participation by speakers and attendees.
Starting from the diverse composition of the leadership team, including the GRC Chair (Dr. Arepally)/Co-Chair
(Dr. Washington) and GRS Chair (Dr. Branfield) to the invited speakers/session leaders (including 38%
junior/emerging investigators, ~33% female investigators and 20% under-represented minorities) and a
dedicated session (GRC Powerhour) focused on issues of diversity/equity/inclusion, next year’s program will
establish a template for organizing future conferences as well as empower attendees to address racial barriers
and inequities at their home institutions. The 2024 Hemostasis GRC program features a Keynote Session on
lessons learned from the COVID19 Pandemic (The Pandemic: Looking Back & Moving Forward) and will be
given by two prominent physician scientists, Dr. Jeffrey Berger and Dr. Matthew Neal, who were at the forefront
of leading basic and clinical investigations. The 8 oral and 4 poster sessions focus on topics highly-relevant to
hemostasis/thrombosis research including sessions on emerging concepts and tools (“Advancing Frontiers in
Hemostasis”), in vitro and in vivo models of hemostasis (“Hemostasis: Models & More”), thrombotic disorders
(“Clotting Gone Awry”), fundamental mechanisms (“Hemostasis: Inside & Out”), vascular biology (“Blood in
Motion), structural studies (“Structure Meets Function”) and the biochemical basis of coagulation (“The Ties that
Bind Us”). Finally, we will continue to hold the “Hot Topics” session of Abstract Talks during which 8 trainees
present their work orally.