The hub for discoveries and innovation

The Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus (RIC) has solidified its role as a premier center for biomedical and health research in the region. Its state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative environment enable the hosting of high-profile conferences and meetings, positioning Children’s National as a leading player in driving discoveries and showcasing its pioneering work in pediatric health.

Throughout the year, the CNRIC served as a gathering place for local, national and international experts. This convening power was on full display during events like the Annual IDDRC Director’s Meeting from November 16-17, 2023, where leaders from the NIH-funded Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRC) network discussed cutting-edge approaches to understanding neurodevelopmental disorders. Similarly, the NexTGen Annual Research Meeting on November 7 and 8, 2023, brought together emerging leaders in the field, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across genomics, bioinformatics and pediatric health.

The CNRIC’s ability to engage the biomedical community extended to hosting the DMV Cell & Gene Therapy Symposium on November 2, 2023, a pivotal event that underscored the region’s growing leadership in these transformative therapies. Likewise, the JLABS Innovation Summit on September 12, 2023, spotlighted early-stage ventures and emerging technologies, offering a platform for innovators and researchers to explore groundbreaking solutions for pediatric care.

Children’s National itself took center stage during its Innovation Day & Showcase on April 25, 2024, an event dedicated to highlighting the hospital’s latest discoveries and innovative clinical practices. Researchers and clinicians had the opportunity to present their work, fostering collaboration with partners across academia, industry and government.

As part of its ongoing partnerships, the campus also hosted the Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance Conference and the 6th annual Children’s National Hospital-NIAID Symposium, both focusing on advancements in pediatric oncology and immunology, respectively. The inaugural Symposium on AI in Pediatric Health and Rare Diseases underscored the CNRIC’s commitment to harnessing emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to accelerate progress in rare pediatric conditions.

The diversity of events also extended to educational and community initiatives. The Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium Summit and the DC International School Testing sessions exemplified the CNRIC’s role in fostering both clinical research and educational outreach, ensuring that the next generation of scientists and clinicians are poised to continue driving discovery.

Through these events and more, the Research & Innovation Campus has become a vital center where the region’s brightest minds come together to share knowledge, advance pediatric health and forge new paths in biomedical innovation.