Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Mechanisms and Therapeutics
Jan 19–22, 2027 | Beaver Run Conference Center, Breckenridge, CO, United States
Scientific Organizers:
Tomasz Nowakowski, Xin Jin, Stephan Sanders, and Zhaolan (Joe) Zhou
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Jan 19–22, 2027 | Beaver Run Conference Center, Breckenridge, CO, United States
Scientific Organizers: Tomasz Nowakowski, Xin Jin, Stephan Sanders, and Zhaolan (Joe) Zhou
Tomasz Nowakowski, PhD
University of California, San Francisco
Tomasz Nowakowski, PhD., is a biomedical researcher who focuses on the study of cortical development. He is an Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery, Anatomy, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco and is widely recognized for studies of developmental cell lineage in human neocortical development. He is affiliated and leads working groups with three NIH Consortia: SSpsyGene, BRAIN Initiative, and psychENCODE.
Xin Jin, PhD
Scripps Research Institute
Xin Jin, Ph.D., is an HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholar, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Scripps Research, a member of the Dorris Neuroscience Center, and Adjunct Professor of Cognitive Science at UC San Diego. Her lab develops scalable, in vivo functional genomics technologies to decode how genetic programs shape cell types, brain circuits and tissue architectures across brain development, homeostasis, and disease.
Stephan Sanders, PhD
University of Oxford
Stephan Sanders, Ph.D., is a Professor of Pediatric Neurogenetics at the University of Oxford and faculty at UCSF, leading major initiatives such as the Autism Sequencing Consortium and the BrainVar Project. His research on the genetics, functional genomics, and therapeutics of neurodevelopmental disorders has earned him recognition with the Theodore Reich and NARSAD Young Investigator Awards.
Zhaolan (Joe) Zhou, PhD
University of Pennsylvania
Zhaolan (Joe) Zhou, Ph.D., is a Professor of Genetics and Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania. His lab uses genetically modified mouse and human iPSC models to study the pathophysiology of Rett syndrome, CDKL5 deficiency, Autism and major depressive disorder. He is recognized for defining disease mechanisms, identifying quantitative biomarkers, and advancing therapeutic strategies. Dr. Zhou has organized multiple scientific meetings, including serving as the inaugural chair of the Gordon Research Conference on Neural Genetics and Epigenetics.
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***Meeting program subject to change.
Available Formats: = Livestream = In Person = On DemandBooking Function
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Tuesday, January 19, 2027
Fundraising
Registration
4:00–8:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
Welcome Mixer
6:00–8:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
Wednesday, January 20, 2027
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Summit Gallery
Welcome Remarks
8:00–8:10 AM
Breckenridge Ballroom
Keynote Address
8:10–9:00 AM
Breckenridge Ballroom
Huda Y. Zoghbi, Baylor College of Medicine
A Journey in Rett Syndrome: From Basic Science Discovery of Causal Gene to Therapies of Patients
A Journey in Rett Syndrome: From Basic Science Discovery of Causal Gene to Therapies of Patients
Decoding Variant Effects: From Population Genomics to Functional Consequences
9:00–11:15 AM
Breckenridge Ballroom
Hyejung Won, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Experimental Validation of Common Variants of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Experimental Validation of Common Variants of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Xin Jin, Scripps Research Institute
Massively Parallel Dissection of Gene to Phenotype Relationships Using Perturb-seq
Massively Parallel Dissection of Gene to Phenotype Relationships Using Perturb-seq
Thomas Bourgeron, Institut Pasteur
The Genetic Orchestra of Autism: From Medicine to Neurodiversity
The Genetic Orchestra of Autism: From Medicine to Neurodiversity
Tychele Turner †, Washington University in St. Louis
Short Talk: Genomic Configurations Model the Systems-Level Organization of Autism-Associated Variation
Short Talk: Genomic Configurations Model the Systems-Level Organization of Autism-Associated Variation
Coffee Break
9:30–9:50 AM
Breckenridge Ballroom Foyer
Award Recipient Acknowledgement
9:50–9:55 AM
Breckenridge Ballroom
Meet the Editors
11:25–12:25 PM
Breckenridge Ballroom
Poster Setup
12:25–1:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 1-3
On Own for Lunch
12:25–2:30 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 1-3
Symposia Spotlight 1: Emerging Technologies in the Study of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
2:30–4:30 PM
Breckenridge Ballroom
Hailing Shi †, Emory University School of Medicine
Short Talk: Multimodal Spatial Functional Genomics in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Short Talk: Multimodal Spatial Functional Genomics in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Noopur Khobrekar †, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Short Talk: Parallel CRISPRi Screening of 204 SPARK Cohort Autism Risk Genes Reveals Cell-type-specific Gene Programs in Human Cortical Neurons and Microglia
Short Talk: Parallel CRISPRi Screening of 204 SPARK Cohort Autism Risk Genes Reveals Cell-type-specific Gene Programs in Human Cortical Neurons and Microglia
Patricia Nano †, Rice University
Short Talk: Rice University, Intrinsic Coordination of Dynamic Molecular Signatures Shape the Human Prefrontal Cortex
Short Talk: Rice University, Intrinsic Coordination of Dynamic Molecular Signatures Shape the Human Prefrontal Cortex
Eran A Mukamel †, University of California, San Diego
Short Talk: Postnatal Reconfiguration of the Human Neuronal Epigenome Via Hydroxymethylation
Short Talk: Postnatal Reconfiguration of the Human Neuronal Epigenome Via Hydroxymethylation
Ashley G Anderson †, Baylor College of Medicine
Short Talk: CRISPR screens identify CSNK2A1 as a Druggable Regulator of MeCP2 and Highlight Molecular Convergence Across Okur-Chung Neurodevelopmental Syndrome and MECP2-Related Disorders
Short Talk: CRISPR screens identify CSNK2A1 as a Druggable Regulator of MeCP2 and Highlight Molecular Convergence Across Okur-Chung Neurodevelopmental Syndrome and MECP2-Related Disorders
Damaris Lorenzo †, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Short Talk: Membrane Cytoskeletal Aggregation Drives Proteotoxic and Network Dysfunction in SPTBN1 Syndrome
Short Talk: Membrane Cytoskeletal Aggregation Drives Proteotoxic and Network Dysfunction in SPTBN1 Syndrome
Benjamin H Weekley †, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Short Talk: Histone Serotonylation Recruitment of KMT2E Regulates Chromatin Dynamics In Neurodevelopment
Short Talk: Histone Serotonylation Recruitment of KMT2E Regulates Chromatin Dynamics In Neurodevelopment
Robert Beagrie †, University of Oxford
Short Talk: Understanding Reversibility of Developmental Disorders: Towards a Tissue-Specific, Reversible Mouse Model of Cornelia De Lange Syndrome
Short Talk: Understanding Reversibility of Developmental Disorders: Towards a Tissue-Specific, Reversible Mouse Model of Cornelia De Lange Syndrome
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Breckenridge Ballroom Foyer
Molecular Mechanisms Linking Gene Dysregulation to Protein Function and Cellular Phenotypes
5:00–7:00 PM
Breckenridge Ballroom
Yukiko Gotoh, University of Tokyo
Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms of Cortical Development
Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms of Cortical Development
Willow Coyote-Maestas, University of California, San Francisco
Deep Mutational Scanning Approaches to Correlate Structure and Function of Proteins
Deep Mutational Scanning Approaches to Correlate Structure and Function of Proteins
Sila Ultanir, Francis Crick Institute
Kinase Signaling in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Kinase Signaling in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Jiami Guo †, university of Calgary
Short Talk: Neuronal Primary Cilia Modulate Excitatory Synapses Formation and Plasticity
Short Talk: Neuronal Primary Cilia Modulate Excitatory Synapses Formation and Plasticity
Katherine Matho †, Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Short Talk: Brain-Wide Cellular-Resolution Mapping Of Cortical Defects In A Mouse Model of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
Short Talk: Brain-Wide Cellular-Resolution Mapping Of Cortical Defects In A Mouse Model of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Summit Gallery
Poster Session 1
7:30–10:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 1-3
Thursday, January 21, 2027
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Summit Gallery
Circuit Dynamics Shaping Developmental Outcomes
8:00–11:00 AM
Breckenridge Ballroom
Gabrielle Pouchelon, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Transient Connectivity and Circuit Reprogramming in Cortical Development
Transient Connectivity and Circuit Reprogramming in Cortical Development
Guillermina López Bendito, Instituto de Neurociencias
Spontaneous Activity–Gene Program Interplay in Circuits Development: Implications for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Spontaneous Activity–Gene Program Interplay in Circuits Development: Implications for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Liqun Luo, Stanford University
Wiring Specificity of Neural Circuits
Wiring Specificity of Neural Circuits
Weizhe Hong, UCLA Los Angeles
The Neuroscience of Prosocial Behavior: From Helping and Cooperation to Social AI
The Neuroscience of Prosocial Behavior: From Helping and Cooperation to Social AI
Rui Peixoto †, University of Pittsburgh
Short Talk: Intrinsic Excitability Deficits Precede Synaptic Dysfunction in the Developing mPFC of Shank3B−/− Mice
Short Talk: Intrinsic Excitability Deficits Precede Synaptic Dysfunction in the Developing mPFC of Shank3B−/− Mice
Aya Ito-Ishida †, RIKEN Center for Brain Science
Short Talk: Cross-Species Analyses Reveal Disturbance of Cortical Functional Hierarchy in Rett Syndrome
Short Talk: Cross-Species Analyses Reveal Disturbance of Cortical Functional Hierarchy in Rett Syndrome
Coffee Break
9:00–9:20 AM
Breckenridge Ballroom Foyer
Panel Discussion 1: What to Translate? When to Translate? How to Translate?
11:10–12:10 PM
Breckenridge Ballroom
Poster Setup
12:10–1:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 1-3
On Own for Lunch
12:10–3:00 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 1-3
Career Roundtable (Joint)
3:30–4:30 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 4-5
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Breckenridge Ballroom Foyer
Experimental Models for Interrogating Human Specific Neurodevelopmental Mechanisms
5:00–7:00 PM
Breckenridge Ballroom
Tomasz Nowakowski, University of California, San Francisco
Establishing Tools for Human Neuroscience
Establishing Tools for Human Neuroscience
Pierre Vanderhaeghen, KU Leuven
Interrogating Human Specific and Neurodevelopmental Risk Genes using Chimeric Models
Interrogating Human Specific and Neurodevelopmental Risk Genes using Chimeric Models
Paola Arlotta, Harvard University
Brain Organoids to Study Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Brain Organoids to Study Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Rebecca Andersen †, Boston Children's Hospital
Short Talk: Transcriptomic Convergence and the Female Protective Effect in Autism
Short Talk: Transcriptomic Convergence and the Female Protective Effect in Autism
Xuyu Qian †, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Short Talk: Spatial Single-Cell Omics Reveals Selective Neuronal Vulnerability and Pathological Cell States in Focal Cortical Dysplasia Type 2
Short Talk: Spatial Single-Cell Omics Reveals Selective Neuronal Vulnerability and Pathological Cell States in Focal Cortical Dysplasia Type 2
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Summit Gallery
Poster Session 2
7:30–10:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 1-3
Friday, January 22, 2027
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Summit Gallery
Environment and Experience
8:00–11:00 AM
Breckenridge Ballroom
Zhaolan (Joe) Zhou, University of Pennsylvania
Epigenetic Dissection of Mechanisms underlying Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Epigenetic Dissection of Mechanisms underlying Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Kristen J. Brennand, Yale School of Medicine
Insights into Gene-Environment Interactions in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Insights into Gene-Environment Interactions in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Gloria Choi, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cytokine Regulation of Brain and Behavior
Cytokine Regulation of Brain and Behavior
Anca M. Pasca, Stanford University
Neonatal Hypoxia and Pediatric Risk Factors
Neonatal Hypoxia and Pediatric Risk Factors
Alberto Cruz-Martin †, University of Colorado, Anschutz Madical Campus
Short Talk: A Tale of Two Risks: Early-Life Adversity Shapes the Expression of SCHEMA Schizophrenia Risk Genes
Short Talk: A Tale of Two Risks: Early-Life Adversity Shapes the Expression of SCHEMA Schizophrenia Risk Genes
Lu Wang †, USC
Short Talk: Using Human Stem Cell-Based Organoid Models to Understand Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Short Talk: Using Human Stem Cell-Based Organoid Models to Understand Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Coffee Break
9:00–9:20 AM
Breckenridge Ballroom Foyer
Panel Discussion 2: Grand Challenges in NDDs
11:10–12:10 PM
Breckenridge Ballroom
On Own for Lunch
12:10–2:30 PM
Symposia Spotlight 2
2:30–4:30 PM
Breckenridge Ballroom
Kristopher T Kahle †, Massachusetts General Hospital
Short Talk: Genetic Disruption of Developmental Scaling in Chiari I Malformation
Short Talk: Genetic Disruption of Developmental Scaling in Chiari I Malformation
Helen Bateup †, University of California, Berkeley
Short Talk: Investigating Astrocyte Contributions to TSC Using Human Brain Organoid Models
Short Talk: Investigating Astrocyte Contributions to TSC Using Human Brain Organoid Models
Yuanquan Song †, University of Pennsylvania and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Short Talk: Spliceosome Malfunction Leads to Neurodevelopmental Disorders With Overlapping Features
Short Talk: Spliceosome Malfunction Leads to Neurodevelopmental Disorders With Overlapping Features
Emma F Jones †, Washington University in St. Louis
Short Talk: MYT1L Haploinsufficiency Profoundly Dysregulates Transcription, Circuitry, and Behavior across Multiple Brain Regions
Short Talk: MYT1L Haploinsufficiency Profoundly Dysregulates Transcription, Circuitry, and Behavior across Multiple Brain Regions
Wardiya Afshar-Saber †, Boston Children's Hospital
Short Talk: Gene Replacement in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Reversing Metabolic and Neuronal Altered Function in SSADH Deficiency
Short Talk: Gene Replacement in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Reversing Metabolic and Neuronal Altered Function in SSADH Deficiency
Nicolas Seban †, UC Davis
Short Talk: A Conserved Molecular Signature of CHD8 Haploinsufficiency Across Diverse Neurodevelopmental Contexts
Short Talk: A Conserved Molecular Signature of CHD8 Haploinsufficiency Across Diverse Neurodevelopmental Contexts
Marissa Co †, Oregon Health & Science University
Short Talk: Distinct Molecular Mechanisms Define Classes of Pathogenic Variants in TBR1 Syndrome
Short Talk: Distinct Molecular Mechanisms Define Classes of Pathogenic Variants in TBR1 Syndrome
Marwan Ghanem †, Scripps Research
Short Talk: An Innovative RNA Technology Targeting the Reversal of Neurodevelopmental Conditions Stemming from Haploinsufficiency
Short Talk: An Innovative RNA Technology Targeting the Reversal of Neurodevelopmental Conditions Stemming from Haploinsufficiency
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Breckenridge Ballroom Foyer
From Genetic Targets to Therapeutic Strategies
5:00–6:15 PM
Breckenridge Ballroom
Stephan Sanders, University of Oxford
Gene Targeting Strategies for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Gene Targeting Strategies for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Joe Gleeson, University of California, San Diego
Lessons from Neurodevelopmental Disease
Lessons from Neurodevelopmental Disease
Xiaochang Zhang †, University of Chicago
Short Talk: Making Sense Out of Nonsense: Switching Poison Exons to Modify Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Short Talk: Making Sense Out of Nonsense: Switching Poison Exons to Modify Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Closing Keynote Address
6:15–7:05 PM
Breckenridge Ballroom
Allyson Berent, Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics/AS2Bio
The Parents’ Journey through Drug Development: Making the IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE-The Angelman Syndrome Story
The Parents’ Journey through Drug Development: Making the IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE-The Angelman Syndrome Story
Meeting Wrap-Up: Outcomes and Future Directions
7:05–7:15 PM
Breckenridge Ballroom
Social Hour with Dinner
7:15–8:15 PM
Summit Gallery
Entertainment
8:00–9:00 PM
Cash Bar
8:00–9:00 PM
Saturday, January 23, 2027
Departure
12:00–11:59 PM
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