Early-Career Researchers Advancing 21st Century Science

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and Johns Hopkins University Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) host a workshop series focused on animal-free new approach methods (NAMs) in research and testing. These free online workshops feature nonanimal research and career development presentations by experts from across industry, academia, government, and policy.

Upcoming Workshop:

Workshop No. 3, Exploring Brain MPS, Organoid Intelligence & Career Pathways

Date: July 1, 2025
Time: 10 AM ET/4 PM CET via zoom

Register

Workshop Summary

Workshop No. 3 will feature both a scientific presentation and a career panel. To begin the event, Dr. Itzy Morales Pantoja will present recent advances in brain microphysiological systems that are reshaping how we model neurological function and disease. The second part of the workshop will be a career panel featuring representatives from academia, industry, government, and policy. Panelists will share their career journeys and discuss their current work. Attendees will have time to ask questions of our panelists to learn more about the different career paths using animal-free research.

Research Presentation Overview

Dr. Morales Pantoja will present research led at the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) focused on innovating neurological science through 3D brain models. Highlights include strategies to increase glial cell populations, introduce brain-resident immune cells, and improve disease modeling. She will also discuss efforts to interface brain organoids with AI for developmental neurotoxicity studies, and the use of custom 3D-printed microfluidic systems designed to support the growth of larger, more complex organoids. Together, these innovations enhance the physiological relevance of human in vitro models and advance the development of functional systems for Organoid Intelligence (OI).

About the Speaker

Itzy E. Morales Pantoja, PhD, is a stem cell neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins University with over a decade of experience in cell biology, neurodegeneration, and bioengineering. Her research centers on developing physiologically relevant human in vitro models to study neurodegenerative diseases and evaluate neuroprotective therapies. She earned her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Medicine from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Workshop No. 2, Antibodies and Beyond: The Power of Animal-Free, Recombinant Antibodies

Workshop No. 2 featured Dr. Esther Wenzel, Co-Founder and COO of the biotechnology company Abcalis GmbH. Dr. Wenzel gave an interactive and informative introduction to antibodies including how they are developed, how animals play a role, and what the advantages and disadvantages of animal-free antibodies are.

Workshop No. 1, Understanding Translatability and Crafting Competitive Grant Applications

Workshop No. 1 featured Dr. Jarrod Bailey, Director of Medical Research at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, discussing how human-focused research provides greater clinical benefits, due to greater biological similarity and specificity of human-based methods and Dr. Angela Hvitved, Program Director at the Alternatives Research & Development Foundation, providing an overview of funding opportunities for nonanimal research methods and practical tips for crafting a strong proposal that is tailored to the target funding opportunity.