Precision Therapeutics for Schizophrenia Symposium
Precision Therapeutics for Schizophrenia
Sept. 23-24, 2026
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
4 Riverside Circle, Roanoke VA
Integrating Computational Phenotyping with Next-Generation Pharmacology
This two-day, invitation-only meeting convenes leading academic and industry researchers to examine how schizophrenia may be redefined through advances in computational phenotyping and next-generation pharmacology. By integrating brain, behavioral, and biological data, the symposium aims to foster collaboration among computational scientists, clinical researchers, and industry partners across three thematic areas:
- Next-generation pharmacology for schizophrenia
- Computational approaches to patient stratification
- Mechanistic circuit neuroscience
Michael Halassa, M.D., Ph.D.
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Michael Friedlander, Ph.D.
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Keynote Speakers
Steve Brannan, M.D.
Consultant
(formerly Karuna Therapeutics)
Read Montague, Ph.D.
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Andrew Pines, M.D.
Harvard University
Speakers
Bruno Averbeck, Ph.D.
National Institute of Mental Health
Derek Buhl, Ph.D.
AbbVie
Pearl Chiu, Ph.D.
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
George Dragoi, M.D., Ph.D.
Yale School of Medicine
Jesse Goldberg, M.D., Ph.D.
Cornell University
Srihari Gopal, M.D., MHS
Bristol Myers Squibb
Anna Ivanova, Ph.D.
Georgia Tech
Anita Kablinger, M.D.
Carilion Clinic
Aaron Koenig, M.D.
Syremis Therapeutics
Stephen LaConte, Ph.D.
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Wynn Legon, Ph.D.
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Anthony LaMantia, Ph.D.
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Daniel Low, Ph.D.
Child Mind Institute
Jose Matta, Ph.D.
Rapport Therapeutics
Ida Momennejad, Ph.D.
Microsoft
John Murray, Ph.D.
Dartmouth University
Patricio O'Donnell, Ph.D.
Alto Neuroscience
Seongmin Park, Ph.D.
Virginia Tech
A Message from the Symposium Organizer
We are entering a new era in psychiatry, with multiple potential treatments emerging for severe mental illness. Schizophrenia affects millions of people, altering their ability to perceive a shared reality and to function within society. Advances in neuroscience, drug development, and computational methods are enabling precision psychiatry, matching patients to the appropriate treatment based on their biology.
This symposium brings together international leaders across academia and industry, spanning circuit neuroscience to late-stage clinical development, advancing the shift toward personalized care. Understanding and treating schizophrenia is a formidable challenge, one that will demand exactly the kind of interdisciplinary collaboration this symposium is built around.
I am grateful to everyone who will join us as a speaker, panelist, and discussant, and I look forward to the conversations and collaborations this effort will produce.
Sincerely,
Michael Halassa
Professor, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Industry Contacts
Sally Allain is the Chief Health Sciences Growth and Innovation Officer at Virginia Tech’s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC and Office of Health Sciences and Technology. In this role, she leads strategic projects while building partnerships with industry, government, and philanthropic organizations, as well as supporting commercialization of health sciences research and startup development.
Gabe Gutierrez is the Director of Strategic Partnerships, Health Sciences and Technology. At the Virginia Tech Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, he leads industry engagement, supporting collaborations in research, philanthropy, sponsorship and experiential learning.
