SFARI | SFARI Workshop and Meeting Reports

SFARI Bridge to Independence fellows discuss new research findings and career challenges at virtual retreat

Beginning on October 1, 2020, the recipients of the SFARI Bridge to Independence Award gathered with SFARI staff and advisors for a virtual ‘retreat’ of six weekly webinars. Each of the webinars included scientific presentations by the fellows, followed by breakout sessions to discuss the practical skills needed to become successful Principal Investigators in today’s scientific ecosystem.

Senior doctor gynecologist doing periodical medical exam of a young pregnant woman in her third trimester.

SFARI workshop discusses opportunities to study maternal infection and autism risk during COVID-19 pandemic

On July 29, 2020, SFARI convened an online workshop to explore environmental (maternal and fetal) risk factors for autism spectrum disorder in the context of COVID-19 infection.

SFARI spring 2020 science meeting goes online

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SFARI replaced the in-person spring 2020 science meeting that was scheduled April 5–7 with a series of seven weekly webinars held between April 17 and May 29.

SFARI workshop explores challenges and opportunities of gene therapies for autism spectrum disorder

On February 6–7, 2020, SFARI convened a two-day workshop to explore the possibility of gene therapies for autism spectrum disorder.

DYRK1A family meeting supports parents, and scientists, alike

On June 22, 2019, families of people with DYRK1A syndrome gathered in Seattle to support one another and meet with researchers. A rare condition resulting from mutations to the kinase-encoding gene DYRK1A, the syndrome is associated with anomalous brain development and a range of symptoms, including microcephaly, seizures, speech delay and autism.

Seeing through a forest of SCN2A gene variation

On August 2–3, 2019, people from around the world met in Seattle, Washington, to review recent findings about mutations to the sodium channel encoded by SCN2A. Organized by the FamilieSCN2A Foundation, the meeting hosted scientists as well as families of people affected by SCN2A mutations.

Bridge to Independence fellows meeting highlights research findings and plans of the next generation of SFARI autism scientists

On May 21, 2019, the recipients of the SFARI Bridge to Independence Award gathered at the Simons Foundation to discuss their scientific findings and plans in autism research.

New findings in autism research presented at the SFARI spring 2019 science meeting

SFARI held its 15th science meeting April 7–9, 2019. Over 100 SFARI investigators, collaborators and foundation staff convened to discuss recent findings on the genetics, molecular- and system-level mechanisms and clinical aspects of autism spectrum disorder. In addition to keynote and session presentations, the meeting hosted a panel on animal behavior and demonstrations of online tools for visualizing and analyzing data sets relevant for autism research.