Collaborating for the Advancement of Interdisciplinary Research in Benign Urology

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2026 CAIRIBU ANNUAL MEETING

December 9-11, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin

SAVE THE DATES for the 9th Annual CAIRIBU Community Meeting

Participate in the fastest-growing urology-specific research meeting in the country. Be part of this creative, innovative, collaborative, and supportive urology meeting. Hear from leaders in urology research who are at the cutting-edge of their fields: bladder and voiding dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, urinary tract infection, urobiome, chronic pelvic pain, urinary tract stones, erectile dysfunction and male reproductive health, post-radiation cystitis and prostatitis, urology-related genetic diseases, neuro-urological and immuno-urological problems, and aging in the lower urinary tract. Interact with Program Officers from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

• Abstracts from trainees and early-stage investigators will be accepted (stay tuned for deadline) and invited to deliver podium or poster presentations
• "Best Abstract" and "Best Poster" awards will be given
• Travel awards for trainees will be available (stay tuned for more information)
• Registration site will be open in June 2026
• Pre-meeting designed by and for trainees and early-stage investigators will take place Wednesday morning, Dec. 9

NEWS FROM NIH

NIH-Wide Strategic Plan, 2027-2031

Last chance for comments and suggestions

Respond on submission site - link HERE | Deadline for comments: Sat., May 26

Open to all - scientists, clinicians, patients, advocates, professional societies, research administrators, NIH staff, and the public at large

IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF PATIENTS WITH GENITOURINARY DISEASES! REQUEST EXPANSION OF UROLOGY RESEARCH FUNDING!

NIH is developing a new Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-2031 and seeks input from the public. The new plan is based on the prior NIH-wide plan for fiscal years 2021-2025, available on the CAIRIBU website HERE. The proposed strategic plan framework is below:

1. RESEARCH AREAS: Advance foundational knowledge of human health and disease; prevent disease and promote health across the lifespan; and advance and optimize interventions, treatments, and cures
2. RESEARCH CAPACITY: Develop and sustain an interdisciplinary research workforce; and build, improve, and sustain research resources and infrastructure
3. RESEARCH OPERATION: Enhance scientific stewardship and decision-making; and foster transparency and accountability to improve public trust in science

New Urology Study Section at NIH

Two new standing study sections will be established in the coming months - one for kidney research and one for urology. In the interim, reviews will occur through 2 parallel Special Emphasis Panels: (1) Urological Systems Function and Dysfunction (KUDS83); and (2) Kidney Physiology and Development (KUDS82)

CAIRIBU AT AUA 2026

CAIRIBU Community investigators and trainees participate in the annual American Urological Association meeting in significant numbers. This year is no different. More than 40 CAIRIBU-affiliated investigators and trainees will present, moderate, or preside as chair in >70 activities during the meeting. GO HERE for a list of CAIRIBU-affiliated investigators at the AUA meeting.

CAIRIBU Investigators In the AUA/SBUR Symposium for Basic and Translational Urology Research

WHEN: Fri., May 15 | TIME: 7:30-11:30 AM & 1:00-3:00 PM

Co-directed by Kristina Penniston, PhD, RD (University of Wisconsin-Madison; CAIRIBU Interactions Core PI) and Jindan Yu, MD, PhD (Emory University; SBUR Vice President)



Leading scientists in their fields will present their research within 3 sessions: BPH, comorbidity-associated genitourinary disorders, and urothelial dysfunction.

• CAIRIBU Community-affiliated investigators presenting science: Teresa Liu, PhD (St. John Fisher University, prior UW-Madison K12 Scholar); Kimberly Keil Stietz, PhD (UW-Madison Urology O'Brien Center); Michael Odom, PhD (Duke University, prior K12 Scholar); Ajinkya Limkar, MD/PhD candidate (UW-Madison Urology O'Brien Center); Aruna Sarma, PhD, MHA (University of Michigan CAIRIBU KUroEpi Program, Co-PI); Bernadette Zwaans, PhD (Oakland University, Corewell Health; prior Urology P20 Center PI); Jonathan Pollack, MD, PhD and Amy Dobberfuhl, MD, MS (Stanford University Urology O'Brien Center); Cathy Mendelsohn, PhD (Columbia University Urology O'Brien Center, Co-PI); Douglas Strand, PhD (UT Southwestern, UW-Madison Urology O'Brien Center Project Leader); and Laura Pascal, PhD (University of Pittsburgh, prior Urology O'Brien Center investigator)

Panels of urologists will follow each session to engage in discourse about cross-disciplinary communication and collaboration, critical knowledge gaps, and moving progress more quickly from the bench to the bedside.

• Urologist panelists affiliated with the CAIRIBU Community include: James Brooks, MD (Stanford University Urology O'Brien Center, PI); Lenny Ackerman, MD, PhD (UC Los Angeles, CAIRIBU Urobiome Research Interest Group); Michael Chancellor, MD (Oakland University, Corewell Health; prior Urology P20 Center PI); Rose Khavari, MD (Houston Methodist; prior Urology O'Brien Center Opportunity Pool awardee and prior CAIRIBU Collaboration Award recipient); Quentin Clemens, MD (University of Michigan CAIRIBU KUroEpi Program, Co-PI); and Giulia Ippolito, MD, MS (University of Michigan. prior K12 Scholar)

TWO SUMMER INITIATIVES OF THE CAIRIBU UROBIOME RESEARCH INTEREST GROUP

(1) Summer Urobiome Meeting in Madison

Thursday and Friday, July 30-31 on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus

This in-person meeting will bring together investigators and trainees from within the CAIRIBU Urobiome Research Interest Group community to advance urobiome science by sharing research, nurturing collaboration, and innovating solutions to the major challenges faced within the field. The meeting will span one and a half days - Thursday all day, concludes Friday afternoon - and will feature:

• Keynote lectures by urobiome pioneers Dr. Alan Wolfe (Loyola University Chicago) and Dr. Linda Brubaker (University of California San Diego)
• Additional invited talks from leaders in urobiome research, including CAIRIBU U-RIG leaders Nicole De Nisco, PhD (UT Dallas), Lisa Karstens, PhD (Oregon Health & Sciences University), and Nazema Siddiqui, MD, MHSc (Duke University)
• Multiple CAIRIBU U-RIG breakout sessions and small working groups
• Lightning talks from trainees
• Trainee/early-stage investigator abstracts and poster session

 Registration is FREE but may be limited - act NOW

MAY 28: Trainees & ESIs... register and submit an abstract by this date to be eligible for travel award (awards announced prior to meeting; funds disbursed afterwards)

JUNE 11: Final deadline for all

Trainees and ESIs only.

Submit abstract and register by May 28 to be eligible for a travel award (awards announced prior to meeting; funds disbursed after)

JULY 9 - Deadline for group rate. Arrive Wednesday for Thursday morning meeting start; depart Friday (meeting ends in afternoon)

(2) Professional Development "Summer Camp" for Trainees & ESIs

What is it? Three virtual events - June 26, July 17, and August 21 - aimed at enhancing the research capacity and professional skills of trainees and early-stage investigators

All are invited. BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING. Trainees will: (1) practice presenting posters, (2) receive guidance on designing figures and how to develop a robust scientific question, (3) learn about effective science communication, and (4) hear about career options across academia, industry, and government.

Register HERE [Some sessions require you to submit materials (posters, figures, etc.) in advance]

CAIRIBU COMMUNITY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Duke University Multidisciplinary Urologic Research K12 Institutional Career Development Program Has Successful Annual Symposium

The Duke University K12 Multidisciplinary Urologic Research (KURe) Program, led by Cindy Amundsen, MD, has had a successful track record over many years of developing independent clinician scientists and basic scientists in urology. As K12 scholars, many have been highly engaged with the CAIRIBU Community and have developed critical leadership skills. Prior Duke KURe K12 scholars continue to be involved as leaders within the CAIRIBU Community and beyond. In April 2026, the 11th annual Duke KURe symposium was held. See Dr. Rebecca Kameny's article, which highlights results.

By Rebecca Kameny, PhD

Research Program Leader, Duke KURe Program

The Annual K12 Multidisciplinary Benign Urology Research Symposium on April 17, 2026 at Duke University. It was highly successful with >110 people representing 18 institutions across the US and Canada. This year’s themes - Urogenital Pain and Effects of Obesity on Urogenital Conditions - attracted faculty, trainees, and other researchers from biomedical engineering, comparative biosciences, reproductive sciences, regenerative medicine, mechanical engineering and material sciences, physiology, integrative immunobiology, biostatistics, urology, and urogynecology. Engaging panel discussions, podium presentations by top abstract awardees and KURe Scholars, an interactive poster session, and conversations and lunch with experts created an atmosphere supporting networking and learning.

• Top abstract awardees were: Fernando Pereira Beserra, PhD (University of Colorado) for his work describing estradiol modulation of innate immune responses in UTIs, Joseph Yang (Duke University) for his work on laser therapy (constrained laser-induced cavitation) for treatment of blood clots, and Seth Teplitsky, MD (Duke University) for his work in developing a standardized kidney stone pathway to improve ER efficiency and outpatient urology follow-up.

• Best Basic Science Poster winner was Samuel Cripps, PhD (Duke) for his study on electronic cigarettes and erectile dysfunction. Best Translational Science Poster winner was Nyemkuna Fortingo, MD (Virginia Commonwealth University) for her work on near-infrared spectroscopy to detect variations in bladder hemodynamics. Best Clinical Science Poster winner was Vandanaa Jayaprakash, BS (Virginia Commonwealth University) for her investigation of complication rates in transvaginal versus transurethral management using urethral mesh.

• In addition, 12 trainees received Travel Awards from the CAIRIBU Interactions Core (see photo below), giving them the opportunity to present their research during the poster session and connect with a highly engaged, collaborative community.

CAIRIBU Travel Award Recipients:

Stephanie Sirmakesyan (McGill University); Tamryn Jordan (UW-Madison); Fernando Pereira Beserra (University of Colorda); Firoj Alom (Medical College of Wisconsin); Anna Miller, Sydney Smith, Nyemkuna Fortingo, Vandanaa Jayaprakash, and Naomi Carter (all from Virginia Commonwealth), and Hannah Ruetten and Brendyn Miller (both from Wake Forest University)

CAIRIBU K12 UroEpi Program Leader Named Inaugural Editor-In-Chief of JAMA+ Trials

Hear Dr. Huang explain what JAMA+ Trials is all about

Alison Huang, MD, MAS, MPhil will lead the new JAMA+ Trials initiative as Editor-In-Chief. Dr. Huang is the PI of the K12 Urological Epidemiology (KUroEpi) Institutional Research Career Development Program at the University of California San Francisco.

JAMA+ Trials will provide a searchable collection of trial reports published across the JAMA Network as well as tailored resources about trial design, conduct, and reporting. JAMA+ Trials will highlight innovations of clinical trial research with a goal of advancing evidence-based medicine and public health. Through expert curation, JAMA+ Trials aims to reinforce and deepen the JAMA Network journals’ commitment to rigorous research methodology that spans diverse clinical topics, diseases, populations, and interventions.

VIRTUAL CAIRIBU COMMUNITY EVENTS

CAIRIBU ARCTICS* Community Forums

May 5 and May 13

*ARCTICS = Advancing the Research Capacity of Trainees and Investigators at Early Career Stages

Prior CAIRIBU ARCTICS Community forum recordings are HERE

Making the most of your research trainee experience

Donald DeFranco, PhD (University of Pittsburgh and co-investigator of prior CAIRIBU Urology O'Brien Center)

During his highly successful research career spanning >30 years, Dr. De Franco has significant mentoring and trainee development experience. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insight as to how you can maximize your time as a trainee.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 5

TIME: 1:00 PM Eastern (12 PM Central | 10 AM Pacific)

Zoom link to join is available HERE

Transitioning from graduate school to postdoc: what I wish I knew

Teresa Liu, PhD (St. John Fisher University), Acacia White, PhD (UW-Madison), Sonia Fargue, MD, PhD (University of Alabama at Birmingham), Michael Neugent, PhD (University of Rochester), and Renee Vickman, PhD (moderator; Endeavor Health)

WHEN: Wednesday, May 13

TIME: 1:00 PM Eastern (12 PM Central | 10 AM Pacific)

Zoom link to join is available HERE

CAIRIBU K12 Scholar Seminars

May 14 and June 11

CAIRIBU K12 Scholars are making an impact! Upcoming presenters include: Jennifer Hammel, PhD (CAIRIBU K12 Program at Duke University) and Marcela Ambrogi, PhD (CAIRIBU K12 Program at UW-Madison). Prior CAIRIBU K12 Seminar Series recordings are HERE

Uro-Lit Live Discussions

May 27

Keep up with the urology research literature! Presenters include: Matthew Grimes, MD, Madi Taychert (UW-Madison), and Jim Hokanson, PhD (Medical College of Wisconsin)

CAIRIBU Graduate Student Seminars

July 15 and October 21

Support graduate students' research! Presenters include: Samantha Ye, Leuna Sen, and Jenna Simpson (mentor, Nicholas Steers, PhD, Columbia University); Audra Crouch, PhD and Andrew McGlynn, DVM (mentor: Vanessa Hale, PhD, DVM, Ohio State University)

CAIRIBU Undergraduate Student Research Jamboree

July 29

Undergraduate students from CAIRIBU Urology O'Brien Centers at Stanford University, Columbia University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison present results from their mentored summer research projects. Support undergraduate students' interest in urology research by joining this virtual jamboree and cheering on these students. Research demonstrates that students' sense of belonging in a science community is a predictor of scientific civic engagement and science identity (Alam et al). SUPPORT THE NEXT GENERATION OF UROLOGY INVESTIGATORS.

Need help keeping up with CAIRIBU Community publications?

View the latest "Have You Read This" on the CAIRIBU website. Follow publications of CAIRIBU investigators and trainees. UPDATED MONTHLY. Includes investigators at Urology O'Brien Centers and P20 Centers, Urology K12 Programs, and in CAIRIBU Research Interest Groups.

Download the table as a Google spreadsheet or Microsoft Excel file. Filter and sort it by author, topic, keywords, or other search terms.

Are you a trainee or early-stage investigator?

Help plan the content for this year's trainee pre-meeting at the annual CAIRIBU meeting (Dec. 9-11, 2026) and for CAIRIBU ARCTICS Community Forums for 2026-2027.

Contact CAIRIBU Interactions Core Research Program Coordinator, Mariana Graff, to get involved.

CAIRIBU RESEARCH INTEREST GROUPS (RIGS)

CAIRIBU Benign Prostate RIG

May 6 (monthly discussions through summer as well)

NEW!!! This group will connect investigators and clinicians who are engaged or interested in studying benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This is an interdisciplinary initiative involving basic and translational scientists as well as clinicians. This RIG will stimulate knowledge exchange, new ideas, strategic visioning, and transdisciplinary research collaborations in BPH research.

Join the kick-off "meet and greet" with prostate researchers and clinicians

Wed., May 6, 7:00 PM Eastern

(6 PM Central | 4 PM Pacific); Zoom link available HERE

The CAIRIBU BPH RIG is currently spearheaded by Kazumi Taguchi, MD, PhD (University of Alabama at Birmingham), who is working with CAIRIBU Interactions Core staff to build this RIG. Plans currently are to meet virtually at 7:00 PM Eastern Time (6 PM Central | 4 PM Pacific) on 2nd Wednesdays of the month for a mix of presentations, discussions, and literature reviews.

Contact CAIRIBU@urology.wisc.edu for calendar invite if you don't already have one

CAIRIBU Urobiome RIG

May 22 (knowledge exchanges resume in fall 2026)

The May event will feature a strategic discussion about advancing urobiome research and will address potential research collaborations, grant applications, consensus papers, and other small group activities.

And there's more... CAIRIBU Urobiome RIG "summer camp" events occur in June, July, and August. See above for description, dates, and mechanisms for participation, or contact the CAIRIBU Interactions Core at CAIRIBU@urology.wisc.edu. Recordings of prior CAIRIBU Urobiome RIG presentations are HERE

CAIRIBU Uro-Aging RIG

June 22 (knowledge exchanges resume in fall 2026)

Join CAIRIBU Uro-Aging RIG investigators in a strategic discussion on how to advance uro-aging research and science. Recordings of prior CAIRIBU Uro-Aging RIG presentations are HERE

Other new CAIRIBU Research Interest Groups in the works include a Uro-Immunology RIG and a Patient Engagement in Research RIG. Stay tuned for more information about both and for how to get involved.

CAIRIBU COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

CAIRIBU TRAINEE NEWSLETTER

A relatively new initiative, the trainee newsletter is designed to provide trainees with a quarterly update featuring valuable resources and articles contributed by CAIRIBU investigators. The Newsletter is published quarterly, in the middle of the month on Jan, April, July, and October. Did you miss the last newsletter? You don't want to miss the article by NIDDK Program Officer and Project Scientist for the CAIRIBU Interactions Core and Urology O'Brien Centers, Chris Mullins, PhD. Go HERE to read it.

CAIRIBU COMPASS

This is an e-journal produced by the CAIRIBU Interactions Core. Original research, abstracts, commentaries, reviews, and CAIRIBU investigator highlights are published. All are welcome to CONTRIBUTE to the Compass! The Compass is published quarterly in the middle of the month on March, June, Sept, and Dec.

Go HERE to read the March 2026 issue of the Compass, which featured abstracts accepted to be presented at the May 2026 AUA meeting by CAIRIBU-affiliated investigators and trainees, announcement of a recently-published article in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by Kymora Scotland, MD, PhD and Henry Schreiber, PhD (both are involved in the CAIRIBU Urobiome Research Interest Group) on bacterial involvement in the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones, description of a course developed by Silvia Grant, PhD, PMP for the upcoming Annual Society of Microbiology meeting, and an interview with Lenore Ackerman, MD, PhD on the new AUA guidelines for management of uncomplicated recurrent UTIs (both are involved in the CAIRIBU Urobiome Research Interest Group).

CAIRIBU COMMUNIQUE

This monthly newsletter, produced by the CAIRIBU Interactions Core, is the longest-running CAIRIBU Community communications organ. The Communique shares news and updates on research, events, funding, and ways to connect with the CAIRIBU community. The CAIRIBU Communique is published the first of every month. Did you know the CAIRIBU Communique archive dates back all the way to January 2019??? Go HERE to see all archived issues.

UROLOGY RESEARCH FUNDING

Below is a "taste" of some research funding announcements that may not be on your radar. Urology research fits in various ways into these and many other funding announcements from federal sources as well as those from industry, professional societies, and foundations. More information on the CAIRIBU website HERE.

Clinical Research Grants for Robotic-assisted Surgery; sponsor: Intuitive Foundation. Up to $75K total costs over 1 y to support clinical research at non-profit institutions worldwide focused on robotic-assisted surgery. Principal Investigators are encouraged - though not required - to submit proposals in one or more of the following areas: Clinical Outcomes-Based Research; Imaging; Vision and/or Navigational Research; Health Economic and Outcomes Research including Cost-effectiveness and Cost-utility Studies related to Robotic-assisted Surgery; and New Procedure Exploration and Development Research. [LOI due 6/5/2026]

Focused Antibiotics; sponsor: Wellcome Leap. Funding for research to combat antibiotic resistance. The objective of this program is to reformulate existing antibiotics to spare the gut microbiome without loss of treatment efficacy. Seeking research that can (1) demonstrate investigational-focused formulations of existing antibiotics that do not impact the gut microbiome while maintaining or improving efficacy relative to standard-of-care antibiotics in pre-clinical in vitro and animal models, or (2) identify specific antibiotic-induced human gut microbiome changes that predict the development with >80% accuracy of subsequent resistant bacterial infection. Award amounts vary and support direct and indirect costs. [Abstract portal opens May 8 | 7-page abstracts from individual organizations or teams are due 5/15/2026 at 11:59pm ET]

American Surgical Association Foundation Fellowship. $75,000 for 1 year (no indirects) to support early career surgeons who have not received significant funding (renewable for 1 year). Must be citizen or permanent resident of US or Canada. Must have MD or equivalent degree and have completed residency; application must be submitted within 5 y of completing residency or fellowship training. [Application due 6/15/2026; funding begins 7/01/2027]

Engineering of Biomedical Systems program; sponsor: National Science Foundation. PD 23-5345. Supports research that integrates engineering and life sciences to solve biomedical problems. May include: methods, models, and enabling tools applied to understand or control living systems; fundamental improvements in deriving information from cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems; or new approaches to the design of systems that include both living and non-living components for eventual medical use. Does not support drug design and delivery, the development of biomedical devices that do not include a living biological component, or the development of animal models of disease. Strongly recommended that PIs contact the program director to avoid the possibility of the proposal being returned without review. [Full proposals accepted anytime]

Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellowship; sponsor: Beckman Foundation. $224K over 2 y (optional $118K for 3 y) supporting advanced research by postdoctoral scholars within the core areas of fundamental chemistry or the development and build of chemical instrumentation. Research must be innovative in method, speed or process, or represent new instrument technology. Two tracks: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Chemical Sciences (project can have applications in fields like biology or physics) or Postdoctoral Fellowship in Chemical Instrumentation (allows for up to add’l $200K for material/development costs). [LOI portal opens 5/29/2026, LOI due 9/4/2026]

Harrington Scholar-Innovator; sponsor: Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals (Cleveland, Ohio). $100K over 2 y for MD or MD/PhD faculty plus opportunities to compete for acceleration funds up to $300,000 or to qualify for investment funds typically up to $2MM. Seeking breakthrough discoveries to address unmet medical needs, modulate novel targets, or be developed into a commercial program and/or strong intellectual property or protection strategy. Discoveries may be a small molecule, biologic, or other therapeutic modality. Diagnostics or devices should be part of a therapeutic development project. Award allows access to personalized team of drug developers and project manager, expert business, commercialization and clinical development advice, regulatory assistance, intellectual property review and advice, and assistance identifying and securing additional financial support based on project needs for each awardee. [Full app due: 6/23/2026]

Personal Health Informatics for Delivering Actionable Insights to Individuals; sponsor: NIH (NLM, NIMH.) R01 Clinical Trial Optional. PAR-25-235. Up to $250K/y for 4 y max. Goal is to advance development of novel informatics and data science approaches that help individuals understand and improve their health through actionable insights with innovative personal health data collection, integration, analysis, and personalized risk assessments and interpretation. Applications should include end-user engaged approaches and real-world evaluation to inform the design of generalizable, reusable, and scalable personal health informatics tools, systems, and platforms. Open to any career stage. [Upcoming due dates: 6/5/2026, 10/5/2026]

Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health; sponsor: NIH (relevant ICs include NIA, NICHD, NINDS). R21 Clinical Trial Optional. PAR-25-143. Up yo $275,000 over 2 y. Supports studies that will identify, develop, and/or test strategies for overcoming barriers to the adoption, adaptation, integration, sustainability, scale-up, and spread of evidence-based interventions. Open to any career stage. [Upcoming due dates: 6/16/2026, 10/16/2026]

CAIRIBU YouTube Playlists are "channels" corresponding to specific research interests. CAIRIBU Interactions Core staff recently categorized all CAIRIBU YouTube content by specific area within the lower urinary tract (more than 150 recordings). Find those in which you are most interested (e.g., bladder, prostate, infection, etc.). Content related to trainees is also categorized. Look HERE.

Kristina L. Penniston, PhD, RD

PI, CAIRIBU U24 Interactions Core

(U24-DK127726)

penn@urology.wisc.edu

Dept. of Urology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI

Links to websites for current CAIRIBU Centers and Programs are on the CAIRIBU website HERE

Collaborating for the Advancement of Interdisciplinary Research in Benign Urology



CAIRIBU is a community first formed around NIDDK-funded U54 and P20 Urology Centers and K12 Institutional Career Development Programs whose overarching objectives are to address gaps in knowledge related to epidemiology, etiology, development, progression, and expression of non-malignant urologic conditions and to train the next generation of leaders in urology research. The CAIRIBU Interactions Core is the central coordinating body for the CAIRIBU Community and for all collaborative-minded investigators and trainees studying genitourinary diseases.