Blog Post

Wrap up written by Dr. Farnaz Mansouri-Noori

TREnD 2025: RNA Community Connects Across Canada and Beyond

This July, the Toronto RNA Enthusiasts’ Day (TREnD) held its 9th annual meeting, bringing together RNA researchers, trainees, and advocates in a unique hybrid format. Spanning two days—a virtual showcase on July 10 and an in-person program on July 11—TREnD 2025 highlighted the breadth of RNA biology while fostering mentorship, networking, and patient engagement.

A Virtual Start: “TREnD & Friends”

Day 1 took place entirely online, welcoming participants from coast to coast, and abroad! Branded as “TREnD & Friends,” the day was organized in collaboration with RNA Canada ARN and several regional RNA salons. Michael Zoberman (PhD candidate, Calarco Lab) and Charlotte Martin (PhD candidate, Calarco Lab), TREnD trainee organizers, hosted the virtual day. The afternoon featured 12 trainee talks, each representing innovative work from labs across Canada and United States. Topics ranged widely: from nanopore sequencing of ribosomal RNA modifications to the dynamics of alternative splicing in neuronal differentiation. Attendees heard about ribosome specialization during yeast sporulation, new insights into pseudouridine biology, and RNA-protein interactions with therapeutic potential.

The (RNA) enthusiasm was evident in the chat and Q&A sessions, where participants engaged with presenters on both technical details and broader implications of their research. To close the day, a live poll gave the audience a chance to recognize outstanding talks. Two trainees, Jennifer Porat (PhD, Flynn Lab) and Nathan Pilkey (MSc candidate, Sagan Lab), earned top votes, each receiving a prize for excellence in presentation skills! The opening day, therefore, set the tone: a celebration of trainee research, collaboration, and the expanding influence of Canada’s RNA community.

Back in Toronto: A Hybrid Gathering

The next morning, attendees convened at the Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning at SickKids Hospital in downtown Toronto, with trainee organizers Volker Nitschko (PhD, Claycomb Lab) and Anna Girtle (PhD candidate, Maass Lab) facilitating registrations. The hybrid format allowed local participants to meet face-to-face while enabling national and international colleagues to join online.

Trainee organizer Farnaz Mansouri-Noori (PhD, Bayfield Lab) opened the day with a land acknowledgement and a reminder of TREnD’s mission: to be a trainee-focused platform that builds bridges across labs, disciplines, and sectors.

• Keynote Presentation

The scientific program began with a keynote address by Dr. Gene Yeo (UC San Diego), delivered virtually. Dr. Gene Yeo, a leading researcher in RNA biology and biotechnology entrepreneurship, shared how his lab combines computational and experimental approaches to study RNA-binding proteins, splicing regulation, and disease mechanisms, with his talk focusing on the regulation of RNA Biology in neuronal aging. He also reflected on the journey of translating discoveries into tools and therapies—an inspiring message for trainees at the intersection of basic and applied science.

• Trainee Talks and Mentorship

Over the course of the day, 12 selected trainees presented short talks on diverse RNA topics, which were moderated by TREnD organizers Samuel Nyandwi (PhD candidate, Cui Lab) and Brittney Remnant (PhD candidate, Bayfield Lab). Highlights included:

• New mechanisms of cytokine mRNA silencing and immune regulation
• Circular RNAs as protective agents in heart preservation
• RNA-based therapies for diabetic retinopathy
• Molecular underpinnings of phosphorylation in the regulation of ALS-associated protein TDP-43

The audience response underscored the creativity and rigor of early-career RNA scientists. Talks were complemented by a poster session and an exciting RNArt contest, where participants showcased the aesthetic side of RNA science through visual art. The RNArt contest winner, Colette Macarios (PhD candidate, Cui Lab), was selected for her entry entitled “Splicing Icing” by attendees, who voted throughout the day, reinforcing TREnD’s spirit of engagement and inclusivity. Furthermore, a mentor-mentee networking lunch, moderated by Charlotte Martin (PhD candidate, Calarco Lab), gave trainees the chance to connect informally with faculty, industry scientists, and senior peers. Conversations ranged from technical advice to career planning, reflecting TREnD’s emphasis on professional development alongside scientific research.

To end the portion of the day focused on trainee presentations, another live poll gave the audience a chance to recognize outstanding talks, which led to awards presented to Tyler Henderson (PhD candidate, Cordes Lab), Jack Daiyang Li (PhD candidate, Blencowe/Taipale Labs), and Victoria G. Castiglioni (PhD, Claycomb Lab), for excellence in presenting their research! Six poster presentations, judged by volunteers, were also awarded to Ella Adamson (PhD candidate, Barsyte-Lovejoy Lab), Stefanie Castelblanco (MSc candidate, Rozen-Gagnon/Claycomb Labs), Ruby He (PhD candidate, Calarco Lab), Farnaz Mansouri-Noori (PhD, Bayfield Lab), Ellanore Rughani (PhD candidate, Claycomb Lab), and Amanda Tajik (PhD candidate, Hope Lab). Congratulations to all of them!

• Advocacy at the Forefront

The day closed with a patient advocacy panel: “RNA as Cause and Cure”. Moderated by Rasangi Tenakoon (PhD candidate, Cui Lab) and Sharanja Premachandran (PhD candidate, Calarco Lab), the discussion brought patient advocates and clinicians to the stage to explore how RNA biology intersects with lived experience. Topics included rare diseases, RNA-based therapies, and the role of scientists in amplifying patient voices. For many trainees, this panel offered a reminder of the human dimension of RNA research—the patients who may one day benefit from discoveries made at the bench.

“We hope this panel inspires you to consider new angles in your own work, whether it is reaching out to a clinical collaborator, thinking about patient-centered research design, or even initiating advocacy or education efforts. RNA-related diseases are an incredibly rich area for discovery, but they are also a call to action: to connect, to listen, and to be a part of a community working towards hope and healing.” – Panel moderator

Looking Ahead

With nearly a decade of annual gatherings, TREnD has become a cornerstone of the RNA community in Toronto and across Canada. The 2025 edition demonstrated the power of hybrid collaboration and science communication, the energy of trainee-driven research, and the value of dialogue between scientists and society—all made possible with the help of our Faculty Advisory Team: Drs. Julie Claycomb, John Calarco, Haissi Cui, Philipp Maass, and Amanda Hargrove.

As organizers closed the event, they thanked participants, sponsors including RNA Society, RNA Canada ARN, The Departments of Chemistry and Cell & Systems Biology at the University of Toronto, The Faculty of Arts & Science at the University of Toronto, TACT Genomics, Illumina, PacBio, and CSMB, plus all volunteer judges.

Why It Matters

RNA biology is one of the fastest-moving fields in modern science, underpinning everything from fundamental molecular biology to the development of COVID-19 vaccines and emerging gene therapies. TREnD 2025 captured this momentum while highlighting the work of the next generation of RNA researchers. By uniting voices from across the country and opening space for patient perspectives, the symposium sought to emphasize its spirit: that the impact of science goes beyond the bench, it is about people—those who do the research and those who will benefit from it.

Remember to mark your calendars for TREnD 2026, which will celebrate the symposium’s 10th anniversary!