2025 Patrica Levy Zusman International Workshop on Neuroregeneration - Project Summary/Abstract This R13 resulted from discussions between investigators in the fields of neurostimulation and neuroplasticity at the Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI). In 2017, we held an R13-funded pilot workshop that combined research in neural stimulation with new insight into the molecular understanding of neural plasticity and regeneration. The workshop received a strong, positive response by participants and interest in further catalysts for working collaboration. Thus, in 2019, we fostered relationship development and crossover opportunities among attendees via a blitz session wherein newly formed (i.e., established at the 2019 Workshop) collaborative teams competed for two $5K mini grants that supported travel to and from each other’s institutions. In 2021, we went 100% virtual due to COVID-19, however, this did not diminish the R13-funded Workshop’s impact. In 2023, our R13-funded workshop returned to an in-person event, bringing with it many of the successful virtual tools from 2021. On March 4th – 6th, 2025, we will host the 5th Patricia Levy Zusman International Workshop on Neuroregeneration (Zusman Workshop), which will focus on the intersection of electrical activity, brain connectomics, and molecular neural plasticity. Our specific aims are to: 1) formulate new ideas to fill the gap between physiology and functional-based brain stimulation technologies and the molecular and cellular understanding of innate neuronal plasticity; 2) provide promising trainees with various avenues to present their work; and 3) ensure trainees participate in substantial discussions and interactions with faculty members. The 2025 Workshop will be held at HMRI, which is part of the Texas Medical Center (TMC; a one-of-a-kind medical and research hub that fosters cross-institutional collaboration, creativity, and innovation) and is in Houston, Texas (one of the United States’ most diverse cities). A key aspect of the Zusman Workshop is the active inclusion and participation of trainees, particularly women and under-represented minorities. We will encourage their participation via travel scholarships and active promotion and recruitment throughout the TMC. The Workshop promotes the voices of graduate and postdoctoral trainees by including a trainee poster session as well as a session dedicated to trainee oral presentations (given by travel awardees). Further, goal-oriented breakout sessions, led by senior/early-stage investigators and selected trainees, will foster discussion and promote cross-training and collaboration among participants. Overall, this workshop distinguishes itself from established physiology conferences and dedicated neural regeneration conferences by being 1) highly focused on the gap between molecular regeneration and electrophysiology/stimulation, 2) concept driven by clinicians and experimentalists currently problem solving in human therapy, and 3) focused on the establishment of cross training and expertise development in graduate, post-graduate, and clinical fellows. The 2025 Zusman Workshop will ignite nascent collaborations and spur novel multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative, transdisciplinary methods, technologies, and treatments to modulate performance in the damaged nervous system.
