Reinvigorating Innovation in ALS

The University of California Converges on ALS

May 15, 2025 – May 16, 2026, University of California Livermore Collaboration Center

The 2nd Annual University of California (UC) system-wide amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) workshop will take place from May 15-17, 2024 at the University of California Livermore Collaboration Center (UCLCC) located in Livermore, CA.

This will be a 1.5-day highly interactive, multi-disciplinary workshop that maximizes the UC system-wide ALS expertise, bringing together university physicians, biomedical researchers, engineers, and computational scientists at all career levels, with Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory colleagues to address ALS challenges and opportunities at scale, and to collaborate across disciplines to accelerate ALS research and development.

During the workshop we’ll hear from a keynote speaker, a caregiver/patient panel, DOE national laboratory experts, Lightning Talks, Industry and Funding organizations, and participate in breakout sessions to explore collaboration and grant funding opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

 


AGENDA

(Note: this is a draft agenda. More details to follow)

Day 1, Thursday, May 15, 2025

11:00 AM           Arrival – Registration and networking – early lunch 

12:00 PM           Welcome

12:10 PM           Conversation Starters: Meet & greet

12:20 PM           Purpose and Vision 

12:25 PM           Status update: How have UCs evolved since the last meeting 

12:40 PM           Keynote 

                          Bruce L. Miller, MD

                          A.W. and Mary Margaret Clausen Distinguished Professor in Neurology

                          Director, Memory and Aging Center

                          Founding Director, Global Brain Health Institute, UCSF

1:30 PM            BREAK

1:45 PM            Industry panel Translating technology to industry

                                    Moderator: Kathleen Wilson-Edell

                                    Panelists: 

2:30 PM            DOE panel 

                                   Moderator: Nick Fischer?

                                   Panelists

3:30 PM            Call to Action & Breakout sessions – Part 1

4:45 PM            VC / Investment panel Navigating external funding…

                               Moderator: Kathy Wilson-Edell/Inder Takhar/Amy Gryshuk

                               Panelists:

5:30 PM            Summary from Day 1 – Planning and Prep for Day 2

5:35 PM            Adjourn

6:00 PM            Evening Gathering

9:00 PM            Adjourn     

 

Day 2 – Friday, May 16, 2025   

7:00 AM              Arrival – Registration and breakfast

8:00 AM              Welcome

8:05 AM              Conversation starters

8:15 AM              Summarize Findings from Day 1

8:20 AM              Caregiver/Patient Advocate panel

                           Moderator: Lauren de Remer

                           Panelists: 

9:05 AM              ALS Network’s Barber Research Award Announcement (top 3 posters)

9:15 AM              ALS funding

                           Moderator: TBD

                           Panelists: 

10:00 AM           BREAK – networking 

10:15 AM           Lightning Talks – Limited selection

11:00 AM           BREAK – networking

11:15 PM           Lightning Talks – Limited selection

12:00 PM           Call to Action & Breakout sessions

12:05 PM           LUNCH + breakout sessions / grant discussions

1:30 PM              Breakout session recap

1:45 PM              Survey/Questions/Feedback + Closing

2:00 PM              Departure

 


DIRECTIONS

 

Event Site

 

University of California Livermore Collaboration Center

GPS Address: 2500 Greenville Road B661, Livermore, CA 94550

 

Lodgings

 

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham:

7700 Southfront Road, Livermore, CA 94550

(925)-373-9600

 

Fairfield Inn & Suites Livermore:

220 N Greenville Rd, Livermore, CA 94551

(925) 800-5787

 

Courtyard by Marriott:

2929 Constitution Dr., Livermore, CA 94551

(925) 243-1000

 

DoubleTree by Hilton:

720 Las Flores Road, Livermore, CA 94551

(925) 443-4950

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION/DIRECTIONS

 

A rental car and carpooling are the recommended methods of transport. Public transportation

is available, but may not be sufficient.

 

From Oakland Airport (Recommended)

*No tolls*

Follow signs for 880 S towards San Jose

Exit to I-238 towards 580 E Stockton/Fresno

Follow 580 E for 20 miles, until Livermore exits appear. Exit 55 for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Exit 50 for the above listed hotels.

 

From San Jose Airport

*No tolls*

Follow signs for 880 N towards Oakland for 8 miles. Exit to CA-262 towards Sacramento/680.

Follow 680 towards Sacramento for 17 miles.

Exit towards 580 E/Stockton.

Follow 580 for 11 miles, until Livermore exists appear. Exit 55 for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Exit 50 for the above listed hotels.

 

From San Francisco Airport

$ toll on the return trip, but no toll on the outbound trip* Follow signs for CA-92 E/Hayward for 13 miles.

Exit towards 880 N/Oakland and follow for 3 miles.

Exit towards I-238 S/Stockton/580 E.

Follow 580 for 20 miles, until Livermore exits appear.

Exit 55 for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Exit 50 for the above listed hotels.

 

Public Transit Options

Wheels is the local bus system website, and can help plan trips from starting to end points. Most buses don't accept cash, you can pay by card on the bus or through the website or the

Transit App.

The "30R" bus route runs from the North Canyon Pkwy/Constitution Dr. bus stop near above

listed hotels to the lab, every 15 minutes.