Surgeon Scientist Career Development Conference
Inaugural Surgeon Scientist Career Development Conference
October 9-10, 2025 | Duke University Campus, Durham, NC
Career development is a key component of the ASTS Surgeon Scientist committee mission.
The Inaugural Surgeon Scientist Career Development conference is designed to provide a career roadmap for early, mid, and late career surgeon scientists. The roadmap includes preconference video modules covering key aspects such as outcomes research, health services research, clinical trials, and basic science, highlighting the significance of finding one's 'why', or passion, and the value of persistence through challenges.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Registration Rates
Member Rate $550 Non-Member Rate $750 Trainee/Associate Rate $350 Industry Rate $850
Program
Thursday, October 9
All times are EST. Schedule is subject to change.
| 1:00 - 1:30 pm | Introduction & Welcome | Ginny Bumgardner, MD, PhD & Allan Kirk, MD, PhD |
| 1:30 - 3:10 pm | Becoming a Surgeon Scientist | |
Journey of a Funded Surgeon Scientist | Keri Lunsford, MD, PhD, FACS | |
Journey of a Non-Funded Surgeon Scientist | Juliet Emamaullee, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS | |
Find your Surgeon Scientist Focus | Sylvester Black, MD, PhD | |
Directors/Ctr Leaders/Hiring Managers Perspective | Satish Nadig, MD, PhD | |
Panel Discussion | Ginny Bumgardner, MD, PhD, Debra Sudan, MD & Allan Kirk, MD, PhD | |
Breakout Session | Ginny Bumgardner MD, PhD, Debra Sudan, MD & Allan Kirk, MD, PhD | |
| 3:10 - 3:30 pm | Break | |
| 3:30 - 5:00 pm | Being a Surgeon Scientist | |
Grant Writing | To be confirmed | |
Specific Aims | To be confirmed | |
Navigating the NIH | Ali Zarrinpar, MD, PhD | |
| Grant Focused Breakouts | All Speakers & Moderators | |
| 5:30 - 7:00 pm | Networking Reception |
Friday, October 10
All times are EST. Schedule is subject to change.
| 7:00 - 8:00 am | Breakfast at the Trent Semans Great Hall Atrium | |
| 8:00 - 8:30 am | Introduction & Welcome to Day 2 | Ginny Bumgardner, MD, PhD |
| 8:30 - 10:00 am | Mentoring a Surgeon Scientist | |
Being an Active Surgeon Scientist Mentee | Aleah Brubaker, MD, PhD | |
Mentoring Across Career Stages | Peter Stock, MD, PhD | |
Peer to Peer Networks | Juliet Emamaullee, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS | |
| Panel Discussion | All Speakers & Moderators: Ginny Bumgardner, MD, PhD, Satish Nadig, MD, PhD, Sylvester Black, MD, PhD, James Guarrera, MD, FACS | |
| 10:00 - 10:15 am | Break | |
| 10:15 - 12:00 pm | Alternative Pathways to Becoming a Transplant Surgeon Scientist | |
Clinical Trials | Alfred Tector (III), MD, PhD, FACS | |
Health Services Research | Daniela Ladner, MD, MPH | |
Industry Relationships | Allan Kirk, MD, PhD | |
Device Development and Intellectual Property | James Guarrera, MD, FACS | |
| Panel Discussion | All Speakers and Moderators: Debra Sudan, MD & Andrew Barbas, MD | |
| 12:00 - 1:00 pm | Lunch | |
| 1:00 - 2:30 pm | The Social and Professional Network | |
Developing Your Network & Establishing Multidisciplinary Networks | Lisa McElroy, MD | |
Expanding Visibility | Matthew Hartwig, MD | |
Engaging With Philanthropy and Industry Funding | Stuart Knechtle, MD | |
Developing Your Elevator Pitch | Alfred Tector (III), MD, PhD, FACS | |
Breakouts: Elevator Pitch | All Speakers and Moderators | |
| 2:30 - 3:00 pm | Break | |
| 3:00 - 3:30 pm | Keynote Speaker | To be confirmed |
| 3:30 - 4:50 pm | Getting to Yes for Transplant Publications | |
Thoughts from an Editor-In-Chief | Sandy Feng, MD, PhD | |
Manuscript Preparation | Keri Lunsford, MD, PhD, FACS | |
Abstract Writing & Publication | James Guarrera, MD, FACS | |
| Time Management When Publishing | Ali Zarrinpar, MD, PhD | |
| 4:50 - 5:00 pm | Closing Remarks | Ginny Bumgardner, MD, PhD |
Book Your Room at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
By Phone: Reserve your room by phone at (919) 490-0999 and reference the ASTS Surgeon Scientist Career Development Conference 2 (Group ID# 1121429.
Online: Reserve your room online using this link.