WSU’s NIH Protein Biotechnology Training Program will host its Annual Symposium on Thursday, April 2, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (PDT) at the Elson S. Floyd Cultural Center on the WSU Pullman campus.
This year’s symposium theme, “Possibilities and Pivots”, highlights the evolving paths scientists take throughout their careers—from academic research to industry innovation and science communication. The event will bring together trainees, faculty, and visiting experts to discuss emerging research and diverse career trajectories in protein biotechnology and related fields.
The symposium will feature three invited guest speakers whose work spans microbiome research, pharmaceutical development, and science communication.
Guest Speakers
Jeffrey Scott McLean, PhD
Professor of Periodontics and Oral Health Sciences at the University of Washington School of Dentistry, Dr. McLean directs the Clinical Oral Microbiome Research Center (COMRC). His research focuses on understanding the microbial communities that shape oral health and disease. Using advanced sequencing approaches such as single-cell genomics and metatranscriptomics, his work investigates how microbial processes contribute to dental plaque formation and oral disease progression. His research has been supported by NIH R01 funding and includes collaborations examining microbial behavior in unique environments, including work connected to NASA rodent research missions studying bone loss in space.
Yadira Pérez Páramo, PhD
Dr. Pérez Páramo is a Drug Development Fellow at Genentech specializing in clinical proteomics and biomarker development. A Fulbright Scholar, she completed her graduate training at WSU after earning her master’s degree in molecular biology and genetic engineering from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León in Monterrey, Mexico. Her expertise includes drug metabolism, pharmacogenetics, and population genomics, with particular focus on developing and optimizing in vitro assays for Phase I metabolic enzymes such as CYP450 and FMO. She has also been an active leader in the Association for Women in Science at WSU and has received recognition from international research organizations for collaborative scholarship.
Reyhaneh Maktoufi, PhD
Dr. Maktoufi is an Iranian-born researcher and science communicator based in Washington, DC. She is the co-producer, host, and illustrator of the Sciencing Out digital series produced with PBS NOVA, which highlights women throughout history who developed creative strategies to communicate science. She earned her PhD in Media, Technology, and Society from Northwestern University and previously worked in Iran as a health communication facilitator focused on cancer prevention and palliative care outreach. Her work explores science communication, misinformation, curiosity, and public engagement with scientists through media, outreach, and creative storytelling—including science comics and public speaking.
Symposium is open to all members of the WSU community! If you are interested in attendence or want to learn more about the event, head over to the “Annual Symposium” page to learn more!