2025 Third Scientific Conference
October 11-12, 2025
Washington DC
2025 Third Scientific Conference of Mongolian Researchers in the USA
The SMRU Third Scientific Conference took place successfully in Washington, DC. The 2-day conference, held on October 11-12, 2025, was attended by more than 110 scientists, parents, and students. It was an important meeting for scientists working in various fields such as Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Meteorology), Medicine, Social Sciences, Economics, and Information Technology (IT) in the United States and Mongolia. This meeting provided an opportunity for researchers to share their knowledge and experience, meet each other, exchange ideas, help them seek opportunities for collaboration, and support students in their further education and careers.
The conference featured 2 guest speakers, 7 oral presentations, and 5 poster discussions focused on the latest scientific discoveries. Additionally, there were 6 workshops on enhancing personal and career development, navigating research grants for young researchers and students, optimizing college applications, choosing a profession, as well as issues facing Mongolians living in the United States.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our co-organizer “We Together” NGO, the staff of the Mongolian Embassy in the United States, Ambassador U. Batbayar, and all volunteers for their continued support! Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to all researchers and sponsors who accepted our invitation to share their knowledge and engage in scientific discourse. Lastly, special thanks to the organizing team who poured their hearts and souls into successfully organizing this conference!
Together, let’s continue sharing knowledge and empowering the future and make a lasting impact through the power of research and collaboration.
Facts from the Third Scientific Conference
Over 110 scientists, researchers, students and their families
2 Invited lectures
7 oral presentations
6 workshops
5 poster presentations
In the News:
Thank You to Our Supporters
2025 Third Scientific Conference Highlights
Opening Remarks - Day 1
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D. Bazarragchaa, MD, PhD
Chair, Conference Committee, Society of Mongolian Researchers in the USA, Lead Interdisciplinary Scientist, FDA
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Ambassador U. Batbayar
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the United States of America
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Academician B. Arya, PhD
Senior Investigator, NIA, NIH, Academician of Mongolian Academy of Sciences
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Greetings from the Mongolian Academy of Sciences
Sh. Ariunaa, PhD, General Secretary, Mongolian Academy of Sciences
Opening Remarks - Day 2
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A. Otgonzaya, MD, PhD
President, Society of Mongolian Researchers in the USA, Research Scientist, University of Iowa
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D. Altanchimeg, MS, MBA
Board Member, Society of Mongolian Researchers in the USA; CEO of We Together NPO
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Invited Lectures
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Professor Ch. Tugsjargal, PhD
Loyola University Maryland
Innovation Research Unpacked: Insights from Business and Economics
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Professor B. Batbileg, PhD
ADA Forsyth Institute
Saccharibacteria: Tiny Symbionts, Big Impact
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Moderators
Academician B. Arya, PhD, NIA, NIH
B. Gantumur, PhD, Howard University
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Oral Presentations
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B. Tsogbadrakh, MD, PhD /Northwestern University/
Паркинсоны өвчний 6-OHDA болон MitoPark загваруудын суурийн зангилааны шууд бус замын үйл ажиллагааны прогрессив алдагдал
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N. Bat-Erdene, MD, MS /University of Minnesota/
Cryopreservation of Organs by Vitrification and Nanowarming
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B. Bat-Orgil, BA /Oracle, Columbia University/
Graph Neural Network Models for Retail Basket Recommendation Prediction
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Kh. Azzaya, PhD /Dow Chemical/
Understanding solution-state aggregation and assembly of conjugated polymers for morphology control of organic solar cells
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B. Erdenechimeg, MD, PhD /Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/
A Rapid and Robust Method for Generating Loss-of-Function Alleles in Pluripotent Stem Cells
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G. Uyemaa, MS /George Washington University/
A Deep Learning Framework for Dzud Prediction: Vulnerability Mapping in Mongolia Using NASA and ESA Satellite Data
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M. Bolormaa, MD, MMS /University of Pennsylvania/
Exploring the Role of Notch in PIGA-HSPC Expansion at Steady State and in Stressed Hematopoiesis Associated With Immune Bone Marrow Injury
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Moderators
G. Narangerel, MD, PhD /Johns Hopkins University/
B. Ganchiimeg, MD, PhD /Ragon Institute of Mass General Hospital MIT and Harvard/
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Moderators
Prof. T. Demidmaa, MD, PhD /UT Tyler School of Medicine/
A. Otgonzaya, MD, PhD /University of Iowa/
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Questions and Answers
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Poster Presentations
B. Bilegt, MS /Northeastern University/
The relationship between handgrip strength and cognitive ability among Mongolian older adult by urban-rural areas: findings from the WHO SAGE survey
G. Erdenetsatsral, MD, MBA /Marymount University/
Artificial Intelligence for the early detection of zoonotic disease outbreaks: A systematic review
L. Khosbayar, MD, PhD /University of Colorado/
Amphiregulin Regulates Epithelial Progenitor Dynamics in Lung Adenocarcinoma Premalignancy
N. Otgonzaya, MD, /Эх Нярай Эмэгтэйчүүдийн Үндэсний Төв-II/
2023–2024 онд төрсөн төрөлх пневмонитой нярайн шалтгаан, хүчин зүйл, эмчилгээний үр дүнг судлах нь
S. Munkh-Ochir, BA /University of Cincinnati/
The Role of Social Media in Shaping “Herder“ Identity in Mongolia
Moderators
B. Battuya, PhD /AbbVie Inc./
B. Khaliunaa, PhD /Indiana University Health/
Workshops - Day 1
WORKSHOP 1: Charting a Path as an Educator
Prof. T. Demidmaa, MD, PhD /UT Tyler School of Medicine/
Prof. Ch. Tugsjargal, PhD /Loyola University Maryland/
WORKSHOP 2 Part 1: Mongolians in the USA
/Хойд Америкийн Цахим Өртөө Холбоо ТББ/
B. Bulganbayar, MS
WORKSHOP 2: Part 2: Prevalence of Hepatitis B, C, and D Virus Infections Among Mongolian Immigrants in Chicago, USA /Mongolian Health Association in Chicago/
N. Nyamsuren, MD, M. Altanzaya, MD
WORKSHOP 3: How to Navigate NIH Grant Writing: From Mechanisms to Strategy in a Changing Funding Landscape
Prof. B. Batbileg, PhD /ADA Forsyth Institute/
G. Narangerel, MD, PhD /Johns Hopkins University/
WORKSHOP 4: Mastering Job Search in Industry
B. Battuya, PhD /AbbVie Inc./
G. Ariungerel, MD, PhD /EagleForce Associates Inc./
Workshops - Day 2
WORKSHOP 5: College Applications - Crafting Strong Essays and Securing Financial Aid
B. Khongorzul, MS /Learning Specialist, Educator, College Counselor, Learning Design and Technology, Stanford, CA/
WORKSHOP 6: Career Paths in Diagnostic Genetics and Becoming a Physician in the USA
B. Khaliunaa, PhD /Indiana University of Health/
B. Nomin, MD /University of Alabama at Birmingham/
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our generous supporters. With your donations, researchers who requested financial support to present at the conference and share their experiences and knowledge were given the opportunity to attend the conference, students who presented their research were given financial incentives, and high school students who volunteered to help with the conference were given the opportunity to attend the 2-day conference.
Thank you again for supporting future young scientists!
Round Table Discussions
Researchers and students met and exchanged ideas with professionals from diverse areas of expertise.
Celebrating Progress, Inspiring the Future
Society of Mongolian Researchers in the USA (SMRU)
Annual Report
A. Otgonzaya, MD, PhD /President, SMRU/
Mentorship Program Introduction
B. Ganchimeg, MD, PhD /Membership Engagement and Development Committee, SMRU/