Collaborating for the Advancement of Interdisciplinary Research in Benign Urology



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ANNUAL CAIRIBU MEETING 2 MONTHS AWAY!

Annual CAIRIBU Meeting

December 9-11, 2026

Memorial Union, UW-Madison

Wednesday 12/09/2026

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Pre-meeting for trainees and early-stage investigators

12:30 - 7:30 PM - CAIRIBU meeting

Thursday 12/10/2026

8:00 AM - 7:30 PM - CAIRIBU meeting

Friday 12/11/2026

8:00 AM - 1:30 PM - CAIRIBU meeting

2:00 - 5:00 PM - Post-meeting workshops TBD

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• Meeting outline HERE (detailed program available soon)
• Register HERE (registration includes meals)
• Reserve lodging HERE (deadline for reduced rate Nov. 7)

• Trainees - Submit abstracts HERE (deadline Oct. 19)
• Abstract guidelines HERE
• Trainees - Nominate your mentor for an award HERE (deadline Oct. 19)
• Other meeting details HERE

"Best Abstract" and "Best Poster" awards available for trainees and early-stage investigators (within 10 years of terminal degree)

Travel awards available only for students and other trainees

• Go HERE for guidelines and requirements
• Submit application HERE (deadline 10/19/2026; submit early as funds may be limited)

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

• Ron Korstanje, PhD - The Jackson Laboratory
• Alexis Bakos, PhD, MPH, RN - National Institute on Aging
• W. Stuart Reynolds, MD - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

OTHER SPEAKERS ARE FROM:

• Urology O'Brien Centers at Columbia University and Stanford University
• P20 Urology Centers involved in research on kidney stones and benign prostatic hyperplasia
• K12 Scholars and mentors from UC San Francisco, Duke University, Stanford University, UW-Madison, and University of Michigan
• CAIRIBU Urobiome and Uro-Aging Research Interest Groups

TOPICS OF PRESENTATIONS AND SMALL GROUPS DISCUSSIONS INCLUDE:

Aging in the lower urinary tract, uro-immunology, sexual function, bladder and voiding dysfunction, BPH and lower urinary tract dysfunction, neuro-uro disorders, urinary tract infection, urobiome, chronic pelvic pain, bladder pain, urolithiasis, ureteral strictures, erectile dysfunction, post-radiation cystitis and prostatitis, urology-related developmental and genetic diseases

NEW THIS YEAR

Trainee & Early Stage Investigator Mixer

Tues., December 8, 6:00-9:00 PM

The Graduate Hotel, all trainees welcome

CAIRIBU COMMUNITY EVENTS

CAIRIBU BPH Research Interest Group Knowledge Exchange

Wednesday, October 14

7:00 PM Eastern (6 PM Central | 4 PM Pacific)

Zoom link available HERE

James Brooks, MD, urologist and Professor of Urology at Stanford University, will address heterogeneity in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lead a strategic discussion on potential methods of phenotyping BPH with the goal of developing methods of classifying BPH. Classifying BPH could be used clinically to effectively match patients with appropriate therapies, predict natural history, and predict potential outcomes of treatments, including side-effects.

CAIRIBU BPH RIG knowledge exchanges are aimed at bringing together clinicians and scientists to form a collaborative community to advance prostate research and develop new diagnostic tools and therapies. Leaders of the CAIRIBU BPH RIG are: Kazumi Taguchi, PhD, MD (University of Alabama at Birmingham), Renee Vickman, PhD (Endeavor Health), Petra Popovics, PhD (Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University), and Scott Quarrier, MD, MPH (University of Rochester).

CAIRIBU Urobiome Research Interest Group Knowledge Exchange

Friday, October 16

3:00 PM Eastern

(2 PM Central | 12 PM Pacific)

Zoom link available HERE

During this month’s Knowledge Exchange, Aaron Miller, PhD (Cleveland Clinic) will present "Biofilm formation, but not antibiotic resistance, defines kidney stone-associated bacteria. Ayushi Uberoi, PhD (Washington University) will present "Host-microbiome interactions at the skin surface."

CAIRIBU Graduate Student Seminars

Wednesday, October 21

2:00 PM Eastern (1 PM Central | 11 AM Pacific)

Zoom link available HERE

Hear from students of Vanessa Hale, DVM, PhD, MAT (Ohio State University) as they give presentations related to their research on microbiome and disease. A link to the Hale Lab is HERE.

Students presenting during this seminar are: Andrew McGlynn, DVM and Brandon McKenna, DVM. Both are graduate students and veterinary residents.

CAIRIBU Uro-Lit Live!

Wednesday, October 28

4:00 PM Eastern (3 PM Central | 1 PM Pacific)

Zoom link available HERE (link to Dr. Crawford's publication also available)

LaTasha Crawford, VMD, PhD, DAVCP (University of Wisconsin-Madison), assistant professor and veterinary pathologist in the School of Veterinary Medicine, will present her recent publication in Am J Vet Res (2026), "Establishing a standardized biorepository across 3 clinical and translational science center-affiliated veterinary institutions is feasible and productive." Learn about how she collaborated with others to establish this important resource. A link to the Crawford lab is HERE.

OTHER UPCOMING UROLOGY EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Urinary Tract Infection Global Alliance (UTIGA)

• UTI Hour, virtual, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM UTC (12 PM Eastern Daylight Time; 11 AM Central | 9 AM Pacific)
• Topic: Pre-analytic specimen handling for quantitative urine culture - clinical and research implications

UTI Global Alliance 2027 Travel Award

• Recognizes distinguished contributions in any area of research related to UTI for early-stage investigators. Funds support travel to a scientific meeting. Deadline is 1/11/2027. Details HERE.

Society of Basic Urologic Research (SBUR) annual meeting

• Nov. 12-15, 2026 in Memphis, TN
• Register, view agenda, and book lodging HERE

SBUR Career Center

• Online listing of available jobs and other opportunities in urology research HERE

Research on Calculus Kinetics (ROCK) Society annual meeting

• Jan. 29-30, 2027 in Dallas, TX
• Submit proposals for presentation and learn more HERE

Society of Benign Prostate Disease annual meeting

• Feb. 5-6, 2027 in Hollywood, FL
• Register, view program, and book lodging HERE

CAIRIBU O'BRIEN CENTER OPPORTUNITY AWARD

The CAIRIBU-affiliated George M. O'Brien Cooperative Urology Research Center at Columbia University is accepting research applications for the Opportunity Pool Awards Program.

Applicants should aim to generate preliminary data for future grant applications. Partnerships with the Center are not required, but applicants are encouraged to propose projects that could lead to future collaborations.

• Specific RFA available HERE
• Up to $100,000 in Direct Costs for up to 1 year may be requested
• Applicants must be: (1) early stage or new investigators (per NIH definition), (2) current K Scholars, or (3) established investigators new to urology research
• Award is contingent on continued funding of the parent Center and/or CAIRIBU Interactions Core

Columbia University Urology O'Brien Center PIs: Cathy Mendelsohn, PhD; Anne-Catrin Uhlemann, MD, PhD, Jonathan Barasch, MD, PhD; and Ali Gharavi, MD

Applications should be related to cellular and transcriptional pathways that drive cell type differentiation, inflammation, and mitochondrial functions in the urothelium; heme detoxification and iron sequestration in bacteriostasis and in urothelial cell viability; antimicrobial resistance in UTI; and/or genetic and embryological causes of obstruction and other urinary tract diseases. Go HERE for more information about the Columbia University O'Brien Center. Applications must be submitted on the CAIRIBU website portal on or before Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Central Time. Applications received by the deadline will be sent for review shortly after that date. Expect a total time of 6-8 weeks from submission date to decision. Project dates are 2/01/2027-1/31/2028.

MORE UROLOGY RESEARCH FUNDING

University of Minnesota Nathan Shock Center Pilot Awards



Between $5K - $20K for junior level geroscience investigators conducting research on the biology of aging or established investigators new to aging research. Deadline: 10/30/26.

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America Foundation Fellowships in Value Assessment and Health Outcomes Research

2 year awards. Predoctoral researchers who are full time and in-residence students (US and non-US citizens) in advanced stages of training and thesis research may receive up to $30K/y stipend. Postdoctoral researchers (US and non-US) engaged in a multidisciplinary research training program may receive up to $60K/y. Deadline: 10/30/26.

Oxalosis and Hyperoxaluria Foundation Research Grants

Up to $200K for up to 2 years (incl 10% indirects) to support research that will ultimately lead to new diagnostics, treatments and a cure for primary hyperoxaluria and related hyperoxaluria conditions. Deadline: 12/15/26.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program



Up to 10 years support for early-career tenured and tenure-track faculty researchers. Must have started independent faculty position no earlier than December 15, 2019. Deadline: 12/15/26.

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute



Funding for high-impact patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research. Up to $12m to support patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research projects. Relevant topic themes include kidney and urologic disease, managing pain, and digital health technologies, though submissions are not limited to these themes. LOI due 1/6/27.

Other urology research funding

CAIRIBU Funding Bulletin, Aug/Sept 2026

Created by Theo Ng, CAIRIBU Interactions Core Administrative Coordinator, this bi-monthly bulletin complements the CAIRIBU website funding page and features a targeted roundup of new and ongoing research funding announcements. Genitourinary research can be included in a BROAD VARIETY of funding opportunities.

CAIRIBU website funding announcements (updated weekly)

Go to the CAIRIBU website funding tab for extramural funding opportunities - from both government and private sources - as well as CAIRIBU Community funding opportunities.

Travel Support for Trainees Presenting Aging-Related Urology Research

A grant* recently obtained by Scott Bauer, MD, MS (University of California San Francisco), one of the leaders of the CAIRIBU Uro-Aging Research Interest Group, allows the CAIRIBU Interactions Core to provide financial support for trainees and early-stage investigators to present aging-related urology research at scientific meetings between now and the end of April 2027 (excludes the 2026 CAIRIBU meeting).

• Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from now until 12/08/2026 (first come, first served)
• Your application should be in the form of an email to the CAIRIBU Interactions Core (cairibu@urology.wisc.edu) and should address the items in the table below. Appropriate attachments to the email should be included. Alternatively, you may include all required elements as a single PDF and attach it to the email.
• Applications will be considered until funds are exhausted
• Maximum award amount is $750; we anticipate 2-3 awards

* The grant (U24AG065204) is from the Clinician-Scientists Transdisciplinary Aging Research (Clin-STAR) Coordinating Center. In addition to supporting trainee travel to scientific meetings in fall of 2026 through end of April 2027, the Clin-STAR award provides financial programming support for initiatives aimed at advancing the interest in urologic aging research at the Collaborating for the Advancement of Interdisciplinary Research in Benign Urology (CAIRIBU) annual meeting.

CAIRIBU INVESTIGATORS & TRAINEES IN ACTION

At the Pediatric Urology Fall Congress (Amelia Island, Oct. 15-18, 2026)

Below are CAIRIBU-affiliated investigators who are moderators, panelists, presenters, or co-authors on abstracts to be presented at the Pediatric Urology Fall Congress:

• Marcela Ambrogi, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison (CAIRIBU K12 Scholar)
• Vinaya Bhatia, MD, University of Wisconsin-Madison (CAIRIBU K12 Scholar)
• David Chu, MD, MSCE, Lurie Children's Hospital (Co-Investigator, CAIRIBU P20 Center)
• Douglass Clayton, MD, Vanderbilt University (Co-Investigator, prior CAIRIBU P20 Center)
• Kristin Ebert, MD, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Jonathan Ellison, MD, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (Co-Investigator, CAIRIBU P20 Center)
• Maryellen Kelly, PhD, DNP, Duke University (prior CAIRIBU K12 Scholar)
• Maria Hadjifrangiskou, PhD, Vanderbilt University (PI of prior CAIRIBU P20 Center)
• Tamryn Jordan, graduate student, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Jonathan Routh, MD, Duke University (prior CAIRIBU K12 Scholar)
• Kimberly Stietz, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Courtney Streur, MD, University of Michigan (prior CAIRIBU K12 Scholar)
• Gregory Tasian, MD, MSc, MSCE, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (PI, CAIRIBU P20 Center)
• Chad Vezina, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison (PI, CAIRIBU K12 Program)

At the American Urogynecological Society annual meeting (Denver, Oct. 4-7, 2026)

• Lindsey Burnett, MD, PhD, UC San Diego, CAIRIBU Collaboration Award recipient (2026)
• Alexis Dieter, MD, Georgetown University, CAIRIBU Collaboration Award recipient (2026)
• Feranmi Okanlami, MD, MS, University of Michigan, prior CAIRIBU K12 Scholar
• Abigail Shatkin-Margolis, MD, UC San Francisco, prior CAIRIBU K12 Scholar
• Nazema Siddiqui, MD, MHSc, Duke University, CAIRIBU Urobiome Research Interest Group, prior CAIRIBU K12 scholar, prior CAIRIBU Collaboration Award recipient (2022)
• Alan Wolfe, PhD, Loyola University Chicago, CAIRIBU Urobiome Research Interest Group

Other CAIRIBU-affiliated investigators are co-authors on abstracts and posters that will be presented at the meeting. These include Cindy Amundsen, MD (PI, Duke University CAIRIBU KURe Program); Marsha Guess, MD, MS (University of Colorado, CAIRIBU Uro-Aging Research Interest Group); and Rose Khavari, MD (Houston Methodist, prior CAIRIBU Collaboration Award recipient, 2023).

CAIRIBU COMMUNITY NEWS

CAIRIBU Squares

Click on each square below to read about the accomplishments of each one

Pediatric Urology Grant Writing Group

CAIRIBU RESOURCES

CAIRIBU Community Resource Round-Up

• CAIRIBU Communique (monthly)
• CAIRIBU Trainee Newsletter (quarterly)
• CAIRIBU Compass (quarterly)
• CAIRIBU Funding Bulletin (bi-monthly)
• CAIRIBU Mobile App (from App Store; available for Android soon)
• CAIRIBU App Online (use it on your browser)
• CAIRIBU Research Interest Groups (most have monthly knowledge exchanges and other inroads for engagement and networking)
• CAIRIBU Community News (updated regularly online)
• CAIRIBU YouTube (>170 recordings)
• CAIRIBU Virtual Forums (link to events)
• CAIRIBU Research Channels (links to research resources and other curated materials by topic)
• CAIRIBU Have You Read This? (publications by CAIRIBU-engaged investigators)
• Trainee and Early Investigators Resources (look under "Quick Links" for topics related to grant writing, mentoring, networking, and more)
• CAIRIBU Social Media (quick links to CAIRIBU LinkedIn, X, and more)

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.