New CNRI Faculty Seminar Series fosters team science and collaboration

A new exciting initiative has begun at the Children’s National Research Institute (CNRI): A new series of gatherings aiming to combine research discovery and community building. On March 19, 2025, the first Faculty Seminar took place at the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus (CNRIC), part of a series meant to showcase team science and innovative research projects.

“The Research & Innovation Campus is the perfect home for this event — a place intentionally designed to foster connections across disciplines. It’s a true hub for team science, where basic, translational, and clinical researchers can come together, share ideas, and build the collaborations that will drive the next breakthroughs in pediatric health,” said Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH, executive vice president and chief academic officer.

The event featured brief presentations—led by Chief Academic Officer Pilot Award winners, on team science and pioneering research projects. Presentations on projects with varying topics like the emergence of pediatric precision medicine filled the room with new ideas and highlighted the hard work that researchers have been doing at Children's National. Approximately 150 basic, translational and clinical investigators gathered to build their network, and to hear presentations about the research that won awards. Senior Vice President and Chief Research Officer Catherine Bollard, MBChB, MD, emphasized that, “As someone who has decades long experience of translating novel discoveries made at the bench to the clinic, I am profoundly aware how critical it is to have a dynamic and effective team!”—a sentiment that was evident during her opening remarks on team science.

She added that, “We were extremely excited to see so many of the CNRI community at the CNRIC on March 19 for our first (of what we hope to be many!) seminar and networking events.”

The evening had a cheerful, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The room was full of like-minded researchers and employees that seemed in tune with the proceedings and excited to uplift the researchers they worked alongside. They milled around greeting one another, calling greetings across the room, and patting one another on their backs. The relaxed and informal nature of the reception allowed attendees to further discuss the ideas and topics that had been shared throughout the afternoon.

By the end of the evening, the snacks served as an excellent conduit to build a community of science—and science supporting staff, closer together. With the series’ likely continuation and immediate success, the gatherings will have the potential to foster innovation and collaboration, as well as to highlight the cutting-edge research being conducted at Children’s National Research Center.

When asked what he would like to see from future events like these, Pilot award winner Gustavo Nino, MD, MSHS, D’ABSM, said that “since the pandemic, social apathy toward in-person events [have] become the new normal ... I have found that many do not participate because they feel they do not belong to the group, whether it is the research or clinical community. These gatherings should feel more like a collective celebration—a party for the team —rather than a typical interest group meeting.”

Dr. Nino went on to add specifics noting that, “One way to achieve this is by spotlighting a different Children's National clinical division and research team at each gathering. This approach could help in several ways. First, it would attract new participants, which is essential for maintaining a critical mass. You do not want to see the same ten people at every event. Second, it would create opportunities for scientists and clinicians to connect and learn from one another. Third, it would help foster a sense that CNRI is a home for everyone, not just a place to visit.”

Future events will continue the momentum of sharing important dialogues and hopefully foster new ideas and relationships. “Building on the success of this event,” Dr. Bollard shared, "we aim to continue these monthly, to stimulate scientific discussion between basic, translational and clinical researchers and our Virginia Tech colleagues.”