January 2026 - Embrio-list

Today 3PM guest speaker Dr. Ondrej Maxian “Learning cytoskeletal self-organization through modeling and simulation: two stories of actin filaments.”
by Brent Thomas Ladd 28 Jan '26

28 Jan '26

[cid:702cb7a1-f894-47f2-bab3-34019767f4b1] Dear EMBRIO Community, Join us today at 3PM ET for our Research Update meeting with guest speaker Dr. Ondrej Maxian<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.nd.…>, presenting a talk on “Learning cytoskeletal self-organization through modeling and simulation: two stories of actin filaments.” Ondrej is Asst. Prof., Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, Notre Dame. His research<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.nd.…> is about developing new mathematical tools to understand the mechanical structure of cells. Zoom Meeting Link<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue-ed…> Opportunities and reminders (see further below for details on each): * Catalyzing Small Teams for Grant Proposal Development: Everyone please share specific topics and proposal opportunities you are interested in collaborating with a small team through this three-question survey<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue.ca…>. (Trainees and Research Staff are encouraged to participate). Results will be complied and shared back out to the community as soon as possible. Thanks to those who have already done this. * At the start of our all-hands session on Monday, we will have a quick poll on dates and location about planning for our Y5 summer school and a joint symposium "Advancing Morphogenetic Biosciences and Bioengineering”. However, we welcome your further input using this brief online survey<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue.ca…> to capture your availability, plans and preferences, as well as input for training topics. * EMBRIO faculty at Purdue wishing to host a SURF student this summer, please post your research project(s) asap - and notify Brent (laddb(a)purdue.edu<mailto:laddb@purdue.edu>), as applicants window is open through early February. Submit project postings here<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/48863454/1704294751/107443535/0/1007625/?x=a…> * Data management training materials<https://www.purdue.edu/research/embrio/resources/data-management-training.p…> developed by Scott Bolton for uploading PURR pages, OMERO image data, and raw data to Data Depot are available on the Institute website. You can also contact Beatriz Borrelly ( bborrell(a)purdue.edu<mailto:bborrell@purdue.edu> ) for assistance with data management. * Chicago Cytoskeleton Meeting<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.goo…> Spring Meeting will be Friday, May 1st, 2026. Trainees have an opportunity to present a lightning talk, along with a poster session. * NSF seeks public input on its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026–2030 NSF Strategic Plan<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nsf.g…>: Responses are due no later than Jan. 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. ________________________________ Catalyzing Small Teams for Grant Proposal Development To best assist in supporting the desire for those interested in collaborating on new ideas and new proposals that leverage and remain connected with EMBRIO, and in organizing future proposal discussions, please: * Let us know the specific topics and proposal opportunities you are interested in collaborating with a small team through this three-question survey<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue.ca…>. (Trainees and Research Staff are encouraged to participate). Results will be complied and shared back out to the community. * Review and update your entries for interest in the current available proposal opportunities that align with EMBRIO collaborative teams [Proposals master spreadsheet<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.goog…>] Feel free to reach out to Brent (laddb(a)purdue.edu<mailto:laddb@purdue.edu>) with additional comments and ideas. Our next scheduled Working Proposal Teams session is February 9th. ________________________________ We Need Your Input: Dates, Plans, Topics for EMBRIO 2026 Summer School & Joint Symposium Use this brief online poll to capture your availability, plans and preferences, as well as input for training topics: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bkIw8bHUboD9Qwu<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue.ca…> A joint EMBRIO BII NSF - Notre Dame (RECODE NSF) one day symposium and poster session has been proposed focused on "Advancing Morphogenetic Biosciences and Bioengineering”, coupled with a multi-day training at the intersection of AI-levered computational modeling, quantitative biology, and bioengineering (e.g. https://sai.nd.edu/<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsai.nd.ed…>). The Symposium will feature EMBRIO speakers, along with speakers from Notre Dame, and invited Key Notes. Proposed to be hosted at our partners at University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, EMBRIO will organize and help provide transportation and lodging for Purdue members to attend, as well as reimburse travel for EMBRIO trainees from our partner institutions to participate. ________________________________ Spring Semester EMBRIO All-Hands Schedule: Mondays 3-4pm Biweekly We will continue with Mondays bi-weekly 3-4pm ET (calendar invites will be sent out soon. The intention this spring semester is to have one session a month dedicated to research thrust updates and one session a month dedicated to working proposal team(s) collaborating on new funding proposals that leverage EMBRIO (trainees are welcome to attend/participate in these sessions). * Dates for Research Thrust Updates will be 3PM ET on Jan 26, Feb 23, Mar 23, April 20, May18. * Zoom link for the research updates: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/92296822713?pwd=m8tGuX9zXUL2MnYguV8KlCa9w0Tj4j…<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue-ed…> * Schedule for the semester research talks:  Jan 26 Feb 23 Mar 23 Apr 20 May 18 Guest Speaker: Ondrej Maxian 1. Staiger Lab 2. Iyer-Pascuzzi Lab 1. Mullins Lab 2. Deng Lab 1. Zartman Lab 2. Magana Lab 1. Gardner Lab 2. Kinzer-Ursem + Evans Labs * Dates for Working Proposal Teams will be 3-4PM ET on Jan 12, Feb 9, Mar 9, April 6, May 4. * Working teams will receive additional notifications and materials. * Zoom link for the meeting: Join Zoom Meeting https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/98340860035?pwd=QMR1WQF521J2G67ga7wcfoN9oSIbzY…<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue-ed…> * Please use the Proposals Master spreadsheet for coordinating interest and activity around a number of funding opportunities associated with EMBRIO. The spreadsheet and additional materials and notes will be posted on the EMBRIO Google Drive under EMBRIO Integrative Proposals folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ybkWSUnKPZhEvY7fQ-ixM0bBoY2wcQg0?us…<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.goo…> * Proposal teams will need to schedule additional meeting times, though these dedicated times in the spring schedule can help foster coordination and ties between collaborative proposals and activity in this space that is leveraging EMBRIO research. ________________________________ Purdue EMBRIO Faculty: SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (SURF)- Accepting project postings! Purdue’s SURF program<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/48863454/1704294751/89814806/0/1007625/?x=70…> invites faculty to mentor outstanding undergraduates in an 11-week paid summer research experience at the West Lafayette or Indianapolis campuses. By mentoring a SURF student, faculty help shape future researchers while contributing to student growth and professional development. EMBRIO covers the PI amount of the internship cost and a housing stipend for non-Purdue students (your department and college, depending on the agreement, kick in the other 2/3 of the cost) Please let Brent know if you submit an EMBRIO project and indicate under the Centers/Institutes checkboxes that the project is an EMBRIO project. Submit project postings here<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/48863454/1704294751/107443535/0/1007625/?x=a…> ________________________________ EMBRIO Data Management Data management training materials<https://www.purdue.edu/research/embrio/resources/data-management-training.p…> developed by Scott Bolton for uploading PURR pages, OMERO image data, and raw data to Data Depot are available on the Institute website. You can also contact Beatriz Borrelly ( bborrell(a)purdue.edu<mailto:bborrell@purdue.edu> ), who is serving part-time with EMBRIO as Data Management Specialist, for assistance with your EMBRIO projects data management. ________________________________ Chicago Cytoskeleton Meeting Friday May 1st, 2026 Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus The Spring edition of the Chicago Cytoskeleton Meeting<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.goo…> will take place on Friday May 1st, 2026 at Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus. The meeting will run from approximately 1 PM to 7 PM Central Time. This meeting will include a Keynote Lecture by Dr. Dyche Mullins<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmullinsla…> (UCSF), Trainee talks (see below), and a Poster session. A registration portal will be provided in the coming months with the option to present a poster. Trainee talks will be selected by the Steering Committee from a Lightning Talk Competition. Details can be found on the website<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.goo…> and submissions are due Monday, March 2nd. ________________________________ NSF seeks public input on its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026–2030 NSF Strategic Plan<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nsf.g…>: Responses are due no later than Jan. 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. ________________________________ Brent T. Ladd, Senior Research Program Manager, EMBRIO Institute<https://www.purdue.edu/research/embrio/> Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University Office: Hall for Discovery Learning and Research, Ste. 203 207 S. Martin Jischke Drive West Lafayette, IN 47907 laddb(a)purdue.edu

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Opportunities and reminders
by Brent Thomas Ladd 23 Jan '26

23 Jan '26

Dear EMBRIOphytes, Opportunities and reminders on our guest speaker on Monday, Dr. Ondrej Maxian<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.nd.…>, presenting a talk on “Learning cytoskeletal self-organization through modeling and simulation: two stories of actin filaments.” Also requesting your input on proposal teams formation, spring and summer events, hosting summer interns, and check out new data management materials to help in navigating uploading of published data (see further below for details on each): * This coming Monday at 3PM ET our Research Update meeting will host guest speaker Dr. Ondrej Maxian<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.nd.…>, presenting a talk on “Learning cytoskeletal self-organization through modeling and simulation: two stories of actin filaments.” Ondrej is Asst. Prof., Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, Notre Dame. His research<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.nd.…> is about developing new mathematical tools to understand the mechanical structure of cells. * Catalyzing Small Teams for Grant Proposal Development: Everyone please share specific topics and proposal opportunities you are interested in collaborating with a small team through this three-question survey<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue.ca…>. (Trainees and Research Staff are encouraged to participate). Results will be complied and shared back out to the community as soon as possible. Thanks to those who have already done this. * At the start of our all-hands session on Monday, we will have a quick poll on dates and location about planning for our Y5 summer school and a joint symposium "Advancing Morphogenetic Biosciences and Bioengineering”. However, we welcome your further input using this brief online survey<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue.ca…> to capture your availability, plans and preferences, as well as input for training topics. * EMBRIO faculty at Purdue wishing to host a SURF student this summer, please post your research project(s) asap - and notify Brent (laddb(a)purdue.edu<mailto:laddb@purdue.edu>), as applicants window is open through early February. Submit project postings here<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/48863454/1704294751/107443535/0/1007625/?x=a…> * Data management training materials<https://www.purdue.edu/research/embrio/resources/data-management-training.p…> developed by Scott Bolton for uploading PURR pages, OMERO image data, and raw data to Data Depot are available on the Institute website. You can also contact Beatriz Borrelly ( bborrell(a)purdue.edu<mailto:bborrell@purdue.edu> ) for assistance with data management. * Chicago Cytoskeleton Meeting<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.goo…> Spring Meeting will be Friday, May 1st, 2026. Trainees have an opportunity to present a lightning talk, along with a poster session. * NSF seeks public input on its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026–2030 NSF Strategic Plan<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nsf.g…>: Responses are due no later than Jan. 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. ________________________________ EMBRIO All-Hands Research Seminar: Guest Presenter - 3PM, Monday, January 26 Dr. Ondrej Maxian<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.nd.…>, Asst. Prof., Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, Notre Dame, will present “Learning cytoskeletal self-organization through modeling and simulation: two stories of actin filaments.” during our All-Hands Lab Research Updates meeting 3PM, Monday, January 26. A recent Chicago-Yen Fellow in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago (working primarily with Ed Munro<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmunrolab.…>), Ondrej completed his doctorate at New York University working with Aleksandar Donev<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcims.nyu.…> and Alex Mogilner<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcims.nyu.…>. His research<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.nd.…> program at Notre Dame is about developing new mathematical tools to understand the mechanical structure of cells. Further details about the Spring Semester Schedule for All-Hands Research Updates and Working Proposal Teams is below. ________________________________ Catalyzing Small Teams for Grant Proposal Development To best assist in supporting the desire for those interested in collaborating on new ideas and new proposals that leverage and remain connected with EMBRIO, and in organizing future proposal discussions, please: * Let us know the specific topics and proposal opportunities you are interested in collaborating with a small team through this three-question survey<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue.ca…>. (Trainees and Research Staff are encouraged to participate). Results will be complied and shared back out to the community. * Review and update your entries for interest in the current available proposal opportunities that align with EMBRIO collaborative teams [Proposals master spreadsheet<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.goog…>] Feel free to reach out to Brent (laddb(a)purdue.edu<mailto:laddb@purdue.edu>) with additional comments and ideas. Our next scheduled Working Proposal Teams session is February 9th. ________________________________ We Need Your Input: Dates, Plans, Topics for EMBRIO 2026 Summer School & Joint Symposium Use this brief online poll to capture your availability, plans and preferences, as well as input for training topics: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bkIw8bHUboD9Qwu<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue.ca…> A joint EMBRIO BII NSF - Notre Dame (RECODE NSF) one day symposium and poster session has been proposed focused on "Advancing Morphogenetic Biosciences and Bioengineering”, coupled with a multi-day training at the intersection of AI-levered computational modeling, quantitative biology, and bioengineering (e.g. https://sai.nd.edu/<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsai.nd.ed…>). The Symposium will feature EMBRIO speakers, along with speakers from Notre Dame, and invited Key Notes. Proposed to be hosted at our partners at University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, EMBRIO will organize and help provide transportation and lodging for Purdue members to attend, as well as reimburse travel for EMBRIO trainees from our partner institutions to participate. ________________________________ Spring Semester EMBRIO All-Hands Schedule: Mondays 3-4pm Biweekly We will continue with Mondays bi-weekly 3-4pm ET (calendar invites will be sent out soon. The intention this spring semester is to have one session a month dedicated to research thrust updates and one session a month dedicated to working proposal team(s) collaborating on new funding proposals that leverage EMBRIO (trainees are welcome to attend/participate in these sessions). * Dates for Research Thrust Updates will be 3PM ET on Jan 26, Feb 23, Mar 23, April 20, May18. * Zoom link for the research updates: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/92296822713?pwd=m8tGuX9zXUL2MnYguV8KlCa9w0Tj4j…<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue-ed…> * Schedule for the semester research talks: Jan 26 Feb 23 Mar 23 Apr 20 May 18 Guest Speaker: Ondrej Maxian 1. Staiger Lab 2. Iyer-Pascuzzi Lab 1. Mullins Lab 2. Deng Lab 1. Zartman Lab 2. Magana Lab 1. Gardner Lab 2. Kinzer-Ursem + Evans Labs * Dates for Working Proposal Teams will be 3-4PM ET on Jan 12, Feb 9, Mar 9, April 6, May 4. * Working teams will receive additional notifications and materials. * Zoom link for the meeting: Join Zoom Meeting https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/98340860035?pwd=QMR1WQF521J2G67ga7wcfoN9oSIbzY…<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue-ed…> * Please use the Proposals Master spreadsheet for coordinating interest and activity around a number of funding opportunities associated with EMBRIO. The spreadsheet and additional materials and notes will be posted on the EMBRIO Google Drive under EMBRIO Integrative Proposals folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ybkWSUnKPZhEvY7fQ-ixM0bBoY2wcQg0?us…<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.goo…> * Proposal teams will need to schedule additional meeting times, though these dedicated times in the spring schedule can help foster coordination and ties between collaborative proposals and activity in this space that is leveraging EMBRIO research. ________________________________ Purdue EMBRIO Faculty: SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (SURF)- Accepting project postings! Purdue’s SURF program<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/48863454/1704294751/89814806/0/1007625/?x=70…> invites faculty to mentor outstanding undergraduates in an 11-week paid summer research experience at the West Lafayette or Indianapolis campuses. By mentoring a SURF student, faculty help shape future researchers while contributing to student growth and professional development. EMBRIO covers the PI amount of the internship cost and a housing stipend for non-Purdue students (your department and college, depending on the agreement, kick in the other 2/3 of the cost) Please let Brent know if you submit an EMBRIO project and indicate under the Centers/Institutes checkboxes that the project is an EMBRIO project. Submit project postings here<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/48863454/1704294751/107443535/0/1007625/?x=a…> ________________________________ EMBRIO Data Management Data management training materials<https://www.purdue.edu/research/embrio/resources/data-management-training.p…> developed by Scott Bolton for uploading PURR pages, OMERO image data, and raw data to Data Depot are available on the Institute website. You can also contact Beatriz Borrelly ( bborrell(a)purdue.edu<mailto:bborrell@purdue.edu> ), who is serving part-time with EMBRIO as Data Management Specialist, for assistance with your EMBRIO projects data management. ________________________________ Chicago Cytoskeleton Meeting Friday May 1st, 2026 Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus The Spring edition of the Chicago Cytoskeleton Meeting<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.goo…> will take place on Friday May 1st, 2026 at Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus. The meeting will run from approximately 1 PM to 7 PM Central Time. This meeting will include a Keynote Lecture by Dr. Dyche Mullins<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmullinsla…> (UCSF), Trainee talks (see below), and a Poster session. A registration portal will be provided in the coming months with the option to present a poster. Trainee talks will be selected by the Steering Committee from a Lightning Talk Competition. Details can be found on the website<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.goo…> and submissions are due Monday, March 2nd. ________________________________ NSF seeks public input on its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026–2030 NSF Strategic Plan<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nsf.g…>: Responses are due no later than Jan. 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. ________________________________ Brent T. Ladd, Senior Research Program Manager, EMBRIO Institute<https://www.purdue.edu/research/embrio/> Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University Office: Hall for Discovery Learning and Research, Ste. 203 207 S. Martin Jischke Drive West Lafayette, IN 47907 laddb(a)purdue.edu

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Announcements: Guest Speaker, Grant Proposal Teams, Upcoming Events, SURF Interns, Data Mngt materials and assistance
by Brent Thomas Ladd 21 Jan '26

21 Jan '26

[cid:aa8190c7-4196-4829-898f-9da90a9f62a7] Dear EMBRIOphytes, Several announcements and reminders (see further below for details on each): * This coming Monday at 3PM ET our Research Update meeting will host guest speaker Dr. Ondrej Maxian<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.nd.…>, Asst. Prof., Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, Notre Dame. His research<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.nd.…> is about developing new mathematical tools to understand the mechanical structure of cells. * Catalyzing Small Teams for Grant Proposal Development: Everyone please share specific topics and proposal opportunities you are interested in collaborating with a small team through this three-question survey<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue.ca…>. (Trainees and Research Staff are encouraged to participate). Results will be complied and shared back out to the community as soon as possible. Thanks to those who have already done this. * At the start of our all-hands session on Monday, we will have a quick poll on dates and location about planning for our Y5 summer school and a joint symposium "Advancing Morphogenetic Biosciences and Bioengineering”. However, we welcome your further input using this brief online survey<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue.ca…> to capture your availability, plans and preferences, as well as input for training topics. * EMBRIO faculty at Purdue wishing to host a SURF student this summer, please post your research project(s) asap - and notify Brent (laddb(a)purdue.edu) as applicants window is open through early February. Submit project postings here<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/48863454/1704294751/107443535/0/1007625/?x=a…> * Data management training materials<https://www.purdue.edu/research/embrio/resources/data-management-training.p…> developed by Scott Bolton for uploading PURR pages, OMERO image data, and raw data to Data Depot are available on the Institute website. You can also contact Beatriz Borrelly ( bborrell(a)purdue.edu ) for assistance with data management. * Chicago Cytoskeleton Meeting<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.goo…> Spring Meeting will be Friday, May 1st, 2026. Trainees have an opportunity to present a lightning talk, along with a poster session. * NSF seeks public input on its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026–2030 NSF Strategic Plan<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nsf.g…>: Responses are due no later than Jan. 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. ________________________________ EMBRIO All-Hands Research Seminar: Guest Presenter - 3PM, Monday, January 26 Dr. Ondrej Maxian<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.nd.…>, Asst. Prof., Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, Notre Dame, will present "xxxxx" during our All-Hands Lab Research Updates meeting 3PM, Monday, January 26. A recent Chicago-Yen Fellow in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago (working primarily with Ed Munro<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmunrolab.…>), Ondrej completed his doctorate at New York University working with Aleksandar Donev<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcims.nyu.…> and Alex Mogilner<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcims.nyu.…>. His research<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.nd.…> program at Notre Dame is about developing new mathematical tools to understand the mechanical structure of cells. Further details about the Spring Semester Schedule for All-Hands Research Updates and Working Proposal Teams is below. ________________________________ Catalyzing Small Teams for Grant Proposal Development To best assist in supporting the desire for those interested in collaborating on new ideas and new proposals that leverage and remain connected with EMBRIO, and in organizing future proposal discussions, please: * Let us know the specific topics and proposal opportunities you are interested in collaborating with a small team through this three-question survey<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue.ca…>. (Trainees and Research Staff are encouraged to participate). Results will be complied and shared back out to the community. * Review and update your entries for interest in the current available proposal opportunities that align with EMBRIO collaborative teams [Proposals master spreadsheet<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.goog…>] Feel free to reach out to Brent (laddb(a)purdue.edu) with additional comments and ideas. Our next scheduled Working Proposal Teams session is February 9th. ________________________________ We Need Your Input: Dates, Plans, Topics for EMBRIO 2026 Summer School & Joint Symposium Use this brief online poll to capture your availability, plans and preferences, as well as input for training topics: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bkIw8bHUboD9Qwu<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue.ca…> A joint EMBRIO BII NSF - Notre Dame (RECODE NSF) one day symposium and poster session has been proposed focused on "Advancing Morphogenetic Biosciences and Bioengineering”, coupled with a multi-day training at the intersection of AI-levered computational modeling, quantitative biology, and bioengineering (e.g. https://sai.nd.edu/<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsai.nd.ed…>). The Symposium will feature EMBRIO speakers, along with speakers from Notre Dame, and invited Key Notes. Proposed to be hosted at our partners at University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, EMBRIO will organize and help provide transportation and lodging for Purdue members to attend, as well as reimburse travel for EMBRIO trainees from our partner institutions to participate. ________________________________ Spring Semester EMBRIO All-Hands Schedule: Mondays 3-4pm Biweekly We will continue with Mondays bi-weekly 3-4pm ET (calendar invites will be sent out soon. The intention this spring semester is to have one session a month dedicated to research thrust updates and one session a month dedicated to working proposal team(s) collaborating on new funding proposals that leverage EMBRIO (trainees are welcome to attend/participate in these sessions). * Dates for Research Thrust Updates will be 3PM ET on Jan 26, Feb 23, Mar 23, April 20, May18. * Zoom link for the research updates: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/92296822713?pwd=m8tGuX9zXUL2MnYguV8KlCa9w0Tj4j…<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue-ed…> * Schedule for the semester research talks: Jan 26 Feb 23 Mar 23 Apr 20 May 18 Guest Speaker: Ondrej Maxian * Staiger Lab * Iyer-Pascuzzi Lab * Mullins Lab * Deng Lab * Zartman Lab * Magana Lab * Gardner Lab * Kinzer-Ursem + Evans Labs * Dates for Working Proposal Teams will be 3-4PM ET on Jan 12, Feb 9, Mar 9, April 6, May 4. * Working teams will receive additional notifications and materials. * Zoom link for the meeting: Join Zoom Meeting https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/98340860035?pwd=QMR1WQF521J2G67ga7wcfoN9oSIbzY…<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue-ed…> * Please use the Proposals Master spreadsheet for coordinating interest and activity around a number of funding opportunities associated with EMBRIO. The spreadsheet and additional materials and notes will be posted on the EMBRIO Google Drive under EMBRIO Integrative Proposals folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ybkWSUnKPZhEvY7fQ-ixM0bBoY2wcQg0?us…<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.goo…> * Proposal teams will need to schedule additional meeting times, though these dedicated times in the spring schedule can help foster coordination and ties between collaborative proposals and activity in this space that is leveraging EMBRIO research. ________________________________ Purdue EMBRIO Faculty: SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (SURF)- Accepting project postings! Purdue’s SURF program<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/48863454/1704294751/89814806/0/1007625/?x=70…> invites faculty to mentor outstanding undergraduates in an 11-week paid summer research experience at the West Lafayette or Indianapolis campuses. By mentoring a SURF student, faculty help shape future researchers while contributing to student growth and professional development. EMBRIO covers the PI amount of the internship cost and a housing stipend for non-Purdue students (your department and college, depending on the agreement, kick in the other 2/3 of the cost) Please let Brent know if you submit an EMBRIO project and indicate under the Centers/Institutes checkboxes that the project is an EMBRIO project. Submit project postings here<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/48863454/1704294751/107443535/0/1007625/?x=a…> ________________________________ EMBRIO Data Management Data management training materials<https://www.purdue.edu/research/embrio/resources/data-management-training.p…> developed by Scott Bolton for uploading PURR pages, OMERO image data, and raw data to Data Depot are available on the Institute website. You can also contact Beatriz Borrelly ( bborrell(a)purdue.edu ), who is serving part-time with EMBRIO as Data Management Specialist, for assistance with your EMBRIO projects data management. ________________________________ Chicago Cytoskeleton Meeting Friday May 1st, 2026 Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus The Spring edition of the Chicago Cytoskeleton Meeting<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.goo…> will take place on Friday May 1st, 2026 at Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus. The meeting will run from approximately 1 PM to 7 PM Central Time. This meeting will include a Keynote Lecture by Dr. Dyche Mullins<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmullinsla…> (UCSF), Trainee talks (see below), and a Poster session. A registration portal will be provided in the coming months with the option to present a poster. Trainee talks will be selected by the Steering Committee from a Lightning Talk Competition. Details can be found on the website<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.goo…> and submissions are due Monday, March 2nd. ________________________________ NSF seeks public input on its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026–2030 NSF Strategic Plan<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nsf.g…>: Responses are due no later than Jan. 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. ________________________________ Brent T. Ladd, Senior Research Program Manager, EMBRIO Institute<https://www.purdue.edu/research/embrio/> Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University Office: Hall for Discovery Learning and Research, Ste. 203 207 S. Martin Jischke Drive West Lafayette, IN 47907 laddb(a)purdue.edu

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EMBRIO collabs toward new funding proposals: Investigators, Research Staff, and Trainees
by Brent Thomas Ladd 14 Jan '26

14 Jan '26

EMBRIO Investigators, Research Staff, and Trainees: Thanks to everyone who was able to join and participate in the open team proposals discussion on Monday afternoon. Several initial topics and ideas were generated [summary meeting notes and action steps<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.goog…>]. To best assist in supporting the desire for those interested in collaborating on ideas and new proposals that leverage and remain connected with EMBRIO, and in organizing future proposal discussions, please: * Let us know the specific topics and proposal opportunities you are interested in collaborating with a small team through this three-question survey<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue.ca…>. (Trainees and Research Staff are encouraged to participate). Results will be complied and shared back out to the community. * Review and update your entries for interest in the current available proposal opportunities that align with EMBRIO collaborative teams [Proposals master spreadsheet<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.goog…>] Feel free to reach out to me with additional comments and ideas. Our next scheduled Working Proposal Teams session is February 9th. Cheers, Brent

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Monday Announcements: poll for summer events, semester meeting schedules, SURF summer internship projects
by Brent Thomas Ladd 12 Jan '26

12 Jan '26

[cid:51990e0c-dcaf-44bb-90cc-fdcde33f68c3] Happy New Year, EMBRIO Members, Welcome back and best wishes to all for a positive start to the new semester. A few quick reminders (see below for details on each): * This is the last week to weigh in on initial dates and planning for our Y5 summer school and a joint symposium "Advancing Morphogenetic Biosciences and Bioengineering”. * Our spring semester all-hands schedule will continue biweekly, though will alternate between research thrust updates, and working proposal team sessions. The proposal discussion session opens at 3pm today. * EMBRIO faculty at Purdue wishing to host a SURF student this summer, please post your research project(s) asap, as applicants window is now open through early February. ________________________________ We Need Your Input: Dates, Plans, Topics for EMBRIO 2026 Summer School & Joint Symposium Use this brief online poll to capture your availability, plans and preferences, as well as input for training topics: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bkIw8bHUboD9Qwu<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue.ca…> A joint EMBRIO BII NSF - Notre Dame (RECODE NSF) one day symposium and poster session has been proposed focused on "Advancing Morphogenetic Biosciences and Bioengineering”, coupled with a multi-day training at the intersection of AI-levered computational modeling, quantitative biology, and bioengineering (e.g. https://sai.nd.edu/<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsai.nd.ed…>). The Symposium will feature EMBRIO speakers, along with speakers from Notre Dame, and invited Key Notes. Proposed to be hosted at our partners at University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, EMBRIO will organize and help provide transportation and lodging for Purdue members to attend, as well as reimburse travel for EMBRIO trainees from our partner institutions to participate. ________________________________ Spring Semester EMBRIO All-Hands Schedule: Mondays 3-4pm Biweekly We will continue with Mondays bi-weekly 3-4pm ET (calendar invites will be sent out soon. The intention this spring semester is to have one session a month dedicated to research thrust updates and one session a month dedicated to working proposal team(s) collaborating on new funding proposals that leverage EMBRIO (trainees are welcome to attend/participate in these sessions). * Dates for Research Thrust Updates will be 3PM ET on Jan 26, Feb 23, Mar 23, April 20, May18. * Zoom link for the research updates: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/92296822713?pwd=m8tGuX9zXUL2MnYguV8KlCa9w0Tj4j…<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue-ed…> * Schedule for the semester research talks: Jan 26 Feb 23 Mar 23 Apr 20 May 18 Open TBD * Staiger Lab * Iyer-Pascuzzi Lab * Mullins Lab * Deng Lab * Zartman Lab * Magana Lab * Gardner Lab * Kinzer-Ursem + Evans Labs * Dates for Working Proposal Teams will be 3-4PM ET on Jan 12, Feb 9, Mar 9, April 6, May 4. * Working teams will receive additional notifications and materials. * Zoom link for the meeting: Join Zoom Meeting https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/98340860035?pwd=QMR1WQF521J2G67ga7wcfoN9oSIbzY…<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue-ed…> * Please use the Proposals Master spreadsheet for coordinating interest and activity around a number of funding opportunities associated with EMBRIO. The spreadsheet and additional materials and notes will be posted on the EMBRIO Google Drive under EMBRIO Integrative Proposals folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ybkWSUnKPZhEvY7fQ-ixM0bBoY2wcQg0?us…<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.goo…> * Proposal teams will need to schedule additional meeting times, though these dedicated times in the spring schedule can help foster coordination and ties between collaborative proposals and activity in this space that is leveraging EMBRIO research. ________________________________ Purdue EMBRIO Faculty: SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (SURF)- Accepting project postings! Purdue’s SURF program<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/48863454/1704294751/89814806/0/1007625/?x=70…> invites faculty to mentor outstanding undergraduates in an 11-week paid summer research experience at the West Lafayette or Indianapolis campuses. By mentoring a SURF student, faculty help shape future researchers while contributing to student growth and professional development. EMBRIO covers the PI amount of the internship cost and a housing stipend for non-Purdue students (your department and college, depending on the agreement, kick in the other 2/3 of the cost) Please let Brent know if you submit an EMBRIO project and indicate under the Centers/Institutes checkboxes that the project is an EMBRIO project. Submit project postings here<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/48863454/1704294751/107443535/0/1007625/?x=a…> ________________________________ Brent T. Ladd, Senior Research Program Manager, EMBRIO Institute<https://www.purdue.edu/research/embrio/> Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University Office: Hall for Discovery Learning and Research, Ste. 203 207 S. Martin Jischke Drive West Lafayette, IN 47907 laddb(a)purdue.edu

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