On Friday, March 6, 2026, the South Carolina Clinical & Translational Research (SCTR) Institute will host a statewide scientific retreat, bringing researchers, clinicians, trainees, patients and industry partners to MUSC for a full-day exploration of one of the fastest-growing areas in modern medicine: cellular and gene therapy.
This year's retreat, chaired by Hongjun Wang, Ph.D., professor of surgery, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Drug Discovery Building, Room 110, on MUSC’s Charleston campus. The event comes at a pivotal time for the Medical University of South Carolina, as the institution continues to expand its leadership in advanced therapeutics and translational science.
A retreat aligned with MUSC’s growing strengths
The 2026 theme highlights a rapidly evolving field that is reshaping approaches to cancer immunotherapy, immune-mediated disease and regenerative medicine. The topic also reflects major developments underway at MUSC, including the recent expansion of the Center for Cellular Therapy (CCT), an FDA-registered current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) facility supporting the development, manufacturing and clinical delivery of next-generation cell therapies.
CCT’s leadership represents two complementary domains: Wang directs the Islet Processing and Stem Cell Therapy Programs, while Shikhar Mehrotra, Ph.D., professor of surgery, leads the Oncology and Immunotherapy programs. This dual focus will be reflected throughout the retreat’s programming and underscores MUSC’s growing capacity to advance novel therapies from discovery through clinical translation.
Keynote speakers
The retreat will feature keynote remarks from Jacques Galipeau, M.D., associate dean for Therapeutics Development at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a renowned leader in the translational development of cell therapies. Galipeau has pioneered NIH-funded work using mesenchymal stromal cells as immunotherapies for catastrophic illnesses, including cancer and severe immune disease. The second keynote speaker will be Shailender Bhatia, M.D., professor and the Lyn and Daniel Lerner Endowed Chair for Merkel Cell Carcinoma at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. He has devoted his career to providing outstanding clinical care and spearheading numerous clinical trials to improve outcomes for patients with cancer.
Engaging researchers across South Carolina
In addition to keynote presentations, the retreat will feature scientific sessions designed to highlight ongoing research across the state, with a strong emphasis on participation from trainees and early-career investigators. Attendees will have opportunities to connect with potential mentors and collaborators, learn about emerging technologies and discuss new research directions. A dedicated session on current funding opportunities will also help investigators to identify potential support for upcoming projects in cell and gene therapy.
These elements reflect SCTR’s continued commitment to strengthening translational research infrastructure and fostering scientific partnerships that accelerate health innovations for South Carolina communities.
Call for abstracts
Researchers from MUSC and institutions statewide are encouraged to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentations. All abstracts must be submitted via REDCap by Jan.9, at 5:00 p.m.
Strengthening translational research across the state
SCTR’s annual scientific retreats, supported by the SCTR Pilot Grants Program, serve as a catalyst for exchanging ideas, forming interdisciplinary collaborations and identifying new directions in translational science. By convening researchers from multiple institutions, the retreat strengthens South Carolina’s scientific ecosystem and supports efforts to bring new discoveries into clinical practice.
Event details
Date: Friday, March 6, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Location: Drug Discovery Building, Room 110, MUSC, Charleston, SC
Registration and abstract submission: Available through the online registration form.
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