Symposium

The 35th Annual Saint Joseph’s University Sigma Xi Student Research Symposium will take place on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Saint Joseph’s University’s Hawk Hill campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Symposium is open to both undergraduate and graduate students engaged in research in the areas of Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, the Natural and the Social Sciences, and Education.

Registration will be open until 11:59 p.m. November 17, 2025.

The only accepted method of payment for the Symposium is a credit card. Registrations are non-refundable. If you have any questions, please use the Contact Us form.

*Refreshments, hors d’oeuvres and beverages, are included in the registration cost.

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Research in Dr. Kim Christian’s laboratory is focused on understanding how perturbations of developing and mature neuronal networks give rise to cognitive impairments and psychiatric symptoms. We use both animal models of behavior and human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based models to characterize functional properties of different neural cell types and how neuronal function is altered in the context of genetic risk, viral challenges or drug exposure. A key objective of our research is to use findings from in vivo models to inform the development of appropriate iPSC-based models to address specific research questions and to use iPSC models to generate hypotheses that can further tested in vivo. Human iPSCs can be used to generate 3D organoid models of different brain regions and hold tremendous promise for therapeutic applications and mechanistic studies of neuronal function and dysfunction. Among the many applications of iPSC-based research, having a renewable source of human neurons can bridge the gap between preclinical animal models and clinical trials to evaluate drug safety and efficacy. In one of our initial studies, we evaluated the impact of antiretroviral drugs, which are used to reduce the viral load in people living with HIV, on organoid models of early brain development. We are also currently working to integrate our cortical organoid models with microglia to support mechanistic studies of neuroimmune processes during homeostasis and in response to viral infection. Finally, we are interested in the role of activity-dependent mechanisms of neuronal network development that can promote maturation of iPSC-derived models.

Schedule of Events

5:00 – 6:00 PM Keynote Address (More information to follow soon). The Keynote talk will take place in the Forum Theatre in the Campion Student Center.

6:00 – 8:00 PM Poster Presentations and Refreshments. Doyle Banquet Hall North in the Campion Student Center.