GRIB Conference 2026

Graduate Research in Interdisciplinary Biosciences (GRIB) Conference 2026

Conference Overview

The Graduate Research in Interdisciplinary Biosciences (GRIB) Conference is an annual interdisciplinary scientific conference hosted collaboratively by four graduate programs: Nutritional Sciences, Food Science, Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences (EAB), and Kinesiology and Applied Physiology (KAPs). Following a pause in recent years, graduate students across these programs united to revive the conference and reimagine its purpose, structure, and identity for a new generation of scholars. Plant Biology was additionally incorporated into the collaborative framework of the conference, broadening the interdisciplinary scope of GRIB and contributing valuable perspectives in ecological science, environmental systems, and plant-based biological research. The inclusion of Plant Biology strengthened the conference’s commitment to examining biosciences through multiple scientific lenses and reinforced the interconnected nature of human, animal, and environmental health.

What emerged was both the revival of a long-standing academic tradition and the establishment of a newly reimagined conference model led a entirely by graduate students. Notably, the majority of the planning committee consisted of early-career graduate students with little to no prior experience organizing a scientific conference of this scale. Despite this, the committee independently developed the conceptual framework, organizational structure, logistical operations, and scientific programming for the event. Through collaboration, adaptability, and shared initiative, the students transformed the conference into a model centered around interdisciplinarity, accessibility, scientific exchange, and community engagement.

The links to the gallery and media highlights can be found below:

https://sites.rutgers.edu/gribconference/gallery/#main-content

https://sites.rutgers.edu/gribconference/media-2/

Conceptual Framework and Vision

The conceptual theme of GRIB 2026 centered on exploring the potential mismatch between human biology and the modern environment. Which has been a growing area of interest spanning nutrition, neuroscience, physiology, metabolism, ecology, and behavioral science. Across disciplines, the conference sought to examine how modern lifestyles, environments, technologies, and societal structures interact with biological systems that evolved under vastly different conditions. This theme encouraged attendees to think critically about the relationship between organisms and their environments while fostering conversations that bridged molecular biology, human health, animal systems, ecological science, and behavior.

To reflect this conceptual framework, GRIB 2026 was intentionally designed as an open and dynamic scientific environment aimed at promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-program collegiality. Rather than adhering to a conventional conference structure characterized by isolated presentations and rigid movement, the planning committee sought to design a conference experience that encouraged organic interaction, discussion, and accessibility between students, faculty, speakers, and attendees.

To support this vision, the conference intentionally moved away from the traditional venue at the Douglass Student Center and instead selected the Art History Building as the primary conference location. The decision was anchored in both logistical and conceptual effectiveness. The planning committee sought a space that would enliven curiosity, openness, and exploration within attendees while encouraging movement, interaction, and reflection throughout the day. The architectural atmosphere and surrounding environment of the Art History Building better aligned with the conference’s broader themes regarding human experience, environment, and intellectual interconnectedness. By moving away from a more conventional conference setting, the committee hoped to create an atmosphere that felt less rigid and transactional, and more exploratory, immersive, and human-centered. The venue provided a more open architectural environment that better reflected the conference’s conceptual goals of fluidity, communication, and integration between disciplines.

A major component of the conference design included the incorporation of outdoor poster presentations and networking spaces to create a more engaging and interactive atmosphere. While this introduced logistical concerns regarding weather conditions and wind stability, the planning committee adapted creatively. Alexis Birch from the Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences program engineered a stabilization system utilizing fishing wire and bungee cords to securely anchor poster easels outdoors, allowing the conference to maintain its intended open-air format.

The conference itself was entirely student organized and student led. Most members of the planning committee had little to no prior experience coordinating a scientific conference of this scale. As a result, nearly every aspect of the event had to be developed from the ground up, including:

• Conceptual conference design
• Scheduling and itinerary development
• Speaker coordination
• Visual branding and advertising materials
• Abstract collection and presentation organization
• Day-of logistical operations
• Volunteer coordination
• Audience flow and networking structure

The committee intentionally chose to build its own operational model from beginning to end, with little to no reliance on archived materials/and organizational templates. This approach allowed students to fully engage in the process of leadership, collaboration, systems planning, and scientific event coordination.

Conference Attendance and Participation

GRIB 2026 demonstrated strong participation and engagement across graduate programs, faculty, invited speakers, and attendees. The conference welcomed over 120 attendees throughout the day and featured more than 35 graduate student research presentations spanning multiple disciplines within the biosciences.

Of note, the graduate student talks included presentations from students across multiple disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary spirit of GRIB 2026. Presentations included

Spencer Fields (Nutritional Sciences), presenting Investigating Cardiovascular Impacts of Kratom;

Saad Farooq (Endocrinology & Animal Biosciences), presenting The Integrated Stress Response’s Influence on Autophagy;

Hayley Palmer (Food Science), presenting Investigation of Hemp Extract for Cardiometabolic Improvement in Postmenopause;

Sohil Parmar (Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine), presenting Acephalgic Migraine Differentiation from Acuity: The Headache Without a Headache;

Antonia Kaz (Plant Biology), presenting GIBEX: International Research Initiative Using Integrated Field-Based Assays.

Notably, four of the five graduate student speakers also served on the GRIB 2026 planning committee, further exemplifying the conference’s student-driven foundation and the collaborative effort required to bring the event to fruition.

The conference programming integrated keynote speakers, graduate student presentations, flash talks, poster sessions, networking opportunities, and interdisciplinary discussion periods. The structure of the event emphasized movement, interaction, and sustained engagement rather than passive observation.

Particularly notable was the success of the graduate student flash talks and poster sessions, which created opportunities for students from distinct research backgrounds to communicate their work to broader scientific audiences.

Poster Competition Winners

1^st Place: Daniela Bermeo Grajales (Pharmacology and Toxicology)

2^nd Place: Vaidik Patel (Plant Biology)

3^rd Place: Tony Meeplod (Plant Biology)

Flash Talk Competition Winners

1^st Place: Vaidik Patel (Plant Biology)

2^nd Place: Alexis Vega & Saniya Panjwani (Food Science)

3^rd Place: Varnith Bhat (Cell Biology and Neuroscience)

Conference Agenda and Itinerary

Reflection and Impact

Overall, GRIB 2026 was a successful demonstration of graduate student initiative, resilience, creativity, and leadership.

The planning process was not without challenges. Students navigated uncertainties involving venue logistics, weather concerns, scheduling coordination, funding limitations, and operational planning while simultaneously balancing research, coursework, and laboratory responsibilities. However, these obstacles ultimately strengthened the collaborative nature of the committee and reinforced the conference’s underlying message: meaningful scientific communities are built through shared effort, adaptability, and conviction.

GRIB 2026 successfully revitalized a long-standing academic tradition while simultaneously establishing a new organizational framework for future conferences. More importantly, it created a space where graduate students across disciplines could communicate science openly, support one another professionally and personally, and contribute to a broader scientific community grounded in collaboration rather than isolation.

As the conference concluded, it became clear that GRIB 2026 the conference’s conceptual framework and redesigned structure successfully fostered a more interactive and engaging atmosphere that encouraged movement, discussion, curiosity, and cross-disciplinary exchange throughout the day. The more open layout and dynamic programming emphasized interdisciplinary dialogue and reinforced the conference’s broader mission of building a collaborative and intellectually engaged scientific community.

Acknowledgements

This event was made possible by the hard work of the planning committee members listed below. More information on the team and their roles can be found here –

https://sites.rutgers.edu/gribconference/team/

 Brian Amriddinov, NutriSci

Alexis Birch, Endocrinology & Animal Biosciences 

Adrian Becker, NutriSci

Camara Blasingame, NutriSci

Andi Cheng, NutriSci

Jeffrey Douyere, Food Science 

Saad Farooq, Endocrinology & Animal Biosciences

Spencer Fields, NutriSci

Robert Mattera, Plant Biology

Tomiwa Oyedokun, NutriSci

Hayley Palmer, Food Science

Lori Scarpa, Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences

Linh Vu, NutriSci

Artwork, logo design, and promotional materials for the event were created by Linh Vu, a first-year Ph.D. student in Nutritional Sciences. Her creative work helped shape the visual identity of the project.