The University of Pittsburgh Department of Computational and Systems Biology welcomed leading genomics researchers from across the country to Pitt’s University Club on Oct. 7–8 for the 2025 Centers of Excellence in Genomic Science (CEGS) Annual Meeting. The two-day event brought together scientists, trainees and program representatives from eight participating CEGS centers to share progress, explore new ideas and strengthen collaborations within the genomics community. 

As a member of one of the active CEGS centers — the Center for the Multiplexed Assessment of Phenotype (CMAP) — department chair Dr. Fritz Roth said he was delighted by the opportunity to host the meeting in Pittsburgh. “It was a great opportunity to showcase both the University and the city to some of the top genomics researchers in the world,” he said. 

More than 90 attendees participated in person, with additional guests joining virtually. Representatives came from CEGS centers at institutions including Harvard, Yale, MIT, Cornell and Duke universities. Representatives from the universities of Washington, California and Chicago also attended. 

The program featured a mix of plenary talks, breakout discussions and poster sessions that highlighted cutting-edge research in areas such as large-scale variant impact testing, in vivo genome editing, single-cell multiomic analysis and live-cell imaging. Attendees also enjoyed an evening reception at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, where conversation flowed beneath the glass dome surrounded by tropical plants.  

Beyond the presentations and networking, the meeting set the stage for new collaborations. “Hosting the meeting opened the door to many new partnerships,” said Roth. “Those hallway conversations and poster discussions often lead to future projects.”  

Roth and his team will remain actively involved in the CMAP center.