2025 VAI Epigenomics Workshop

The VAI Epigenomics Workshop is a three-day, hands-on, problem-based experience that immerses Ph.D. students in the latest epigenomic research and techniques. Workshop sessions will be taught by leaders in their fields and cover an array of approaches, including:

• Epigenomic tools and data analysis
• Single cell epigenomics
• CRISPR-based systematic perturbation screens
• Biomolecular condensates and phase separation
• Chemical approaches in epigenomics studies

By the end of the workshop, students will have a broad understanding of epigenomic data types and tools, and the unique challenges posed by each. They also will be better able to apply these tools to interdisciplinary research questions in the field. In addition, students will build meaningful connections with research leaders and other graduate students in the broader epigenomics field.

The application period opens in March. To be added to our mailing list, please email Courtney Zirkle.

Funding for the workshop was made possible (in part) by R25HG011020 from the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the NIH; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government.

Workshop sessions will be taught by internationally recognized epigenomics experts, including invited speakers and VAI faculty. 

In addition to covering experimental design and analysis pipelines, students will hear real-world analytical examples about:

• Epigenomic tools and data analysis
• Single cell epigenomics
• CRISPR-based systematic perturbation screens
• Informatics pipelines for structural biology image analysis
• Chemical approaches in epigenomics studies
• AI tool intersections with structural epigenetics

Our agenda is in development. To be added to our mailing list, please email Courtney Zirkle.

To be announced – Stay tuned!

Doctoral students from U.S. colleges and universities who have completed their comprehensive exams in an epigenetics-related discipline and are embarked on an epigenetics-based Ph.D. thesis are eligible to apply. Applicants should have entry-level, basic knowledge of the “command line.” Suggested pre-course training opportunities will be communicated to all candidates who are unsure about their command line competency.

Please submit the following materials no later than Friday, April 11, 2025. The requested documents should be combined into one PDF document in the order listed below:

• A biosketch*
• One-paragraph statement of interest including area of study
• Poster abstract (for formatting details, please visit our Poster tab)
• Letter of recommendation from thesis advisor or a thesis committee member**

*Applicants are encouraged to describe any adversities they have faced in the personal statement section of the biosketch.

**To complete your application, a letter of recommendation from your Ph.D. advisor or a thesis committee member must also be received by April 11, 2025. This can be included as the fourth document in the submission above or can be emailed by the advisor separately to Courtney Zirkle.

Applications will be reviewed by the course committee, which will select 12–15 applicants for admission into the workshop. Students will be notified by in May 2025.

Submitted abstracts should represent original research and may cover any biomedical research topic. The title should be brief and descriptive, and the body should include rationale, methods, and results. Please prepare abstracts using the below template. Abstracts should be submitted during the application process.

Questions?
Questions regarding abstract submission, posters or the poster session can be directed to Courtney Zirkle.

TITLE OF ABSTRACT IN ALL CAPS (STYLE = TITLE)

Presenting Author^1,2, Other Author¹, and Last Author^1,3(Style = Authors)

¹First Dept., Institution, City, State, Country, ²Second Dept., Institution, City, State, Country, and ³Last Dept., Institution, City, State, Country (Style = Affiliations)

Body of abstract using 300 words or less. Define each abbreviation at first use. All fonts should be Arial, 11 pt. and text should be single-spaced. Once you have filled in this template, choose File>Save As and save your file as a Word document (.doc or .docx) with the filename lastname_abstract. (Style = Body)

EXAMPLE

THE ROLE OF EPIGENETICS IN CANCER METABOLISM

Andrew Pospisilik^1,2 and Russell Jones¹

¹Department of Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States, ²Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States

Cancer is essentially a disease in which cells have lost their normal checks on cell proliferation. Cancer cells also have evolved to evade elimination by the immune system, the body’s defense mechanism against foreign invaders. Recent studies suggest …

There are no costs for selected student participants. VAI will cover costs associated with student participants’ travel and lodging to and from the VAI Epigenetics Symposium and Epigenomics Workshop. There is no registration fee for the workshop. Applicants will be able to indicate their need for child care assistance as part of the online application.