The Institute for Glial Sciences (IGS) is pleased to announce the inaugural Translational Glial Sciences (TGS) Conference, taking place November 4, 2025 from 12–6pm, at the Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion of the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic. The TGS Conference will showcase scientists at the forefront of glial sciences and their latest findings about the impact of glia on a variety of diseases, as well as emerging opportunities to target glia for therapeutic impact. The Conference also marks the launch of IGS, CWRU's newest institute, whose mission is to illuminate the hidden role of glia in disease and unlock the era of glial medicines.
Registration is free but capacity is limited, so secure your spot today.
Agenda
9:30 Online Registration closes
11:30 Check in and Lunch
12:30 Conference begins
Master of Ceremonies: Raeka Aiyar, PhD | Institute for Glial Sciences, Case Western Reserve University
Welcome by Dean Stanton L. Gerson, MD, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
12:40 Paul Tesar, PhD | Institute for Glial Sciences, Case Western Reserve University
The IGS Blueprint for Glial Medicines: Lessons from Oligodendrocytes
1:10 Bruce Trapp, PhD | Cleveland Clinic
Plenary Lecture: Glia Cells in the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis
1:40 Tracy Young-Pearse, PhD | Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Moving beyond amyloid and tau to capture the biological heterogeneity of Alzheimer’s disease using human IPSC models
2:05 Break
2:30 Marissa Scavuzzo, PhD | Institute for Glial Sciences, Case Western Reserve University
Understanding glia in the brain inside your gut
2:45 Allison Bradbury, PhD | Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Development of genetic therapies for inherited pediatric leukodystrophies
3:10 Tyler Miller, MD, PhD | Institute for Glial Sciences, Case Western Reserve University
Redefining and targeting the immune microenvironment in glial diseases
3:25 Dimitry Ofengeim, PhD | Sanofi
Key drivers of disease progression in multiple sclerosis
3:50 Benjamin Clayton, PhD | Institute for Glial Sciences, Case Western Reserve University
Modulating reactive glia to promote neuroprotection
4:05 Break
4:30 Lorenz Studer, MD | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Keynote Address
5:00 Panel discussion: The Promise of Glial Medicines
Panelists: Richard Ransohoff, MD | Paul Tesar, PhD | Tracy Young-Pearse, PhD | Lorenz Studer, MD | Moderator: Raeka Aiyar, PhD
5:45 Conclusion