My name is Innocent Asiimwe and I am a Ugandan post-doctoral research fellow based at the University of Liverpool. I am excited to share my experience attending the 15th Annual American Conference on Pharmacometrics (ACoP 2024) in Phoenix, Arizona. Supported by a travel grant from the Journal of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics (JPKPD), this journey was more than just a professional milestone – for me, it was filled with diverse opportunities that allowed me to connect, learn, and grow.
One thing I took away on this journey was the power of sharing – so in that spirit I will share some key takeaways and personal highlights from this impactful event:
ACoP 2024 was hosted by the International Society of Pharmacometrics (ISoP) at the beautiful Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix from November 10-13 2024. With the theme, “Past as Prologue: Bridges to New Horizons,” the conference celebrated the evolution of pharmacometrics and envisioned the future opportunities that lie ahead.
The three-day conference offered a dynamic program that included symposia, individual talks and workshops. Outside of the standard tutorials, training and networking events, I was able to participate in interactive sessions, such as the ‘birds-of-a-feather’ discussions.
With topics ranging from Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP), AI and real-world data to software solutions, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), the diversity of sessions ensured there was no stone left uncovered in terms of scientific discourse.
As a first-time attendee, I appreciated the “buddy system”, where newcomers are paired with experienced attendees to help navigate the conference. My buddy, Owen Richfield from Yale University, provided valuable guidance that made me feel welcomed and confident. (Thanks again, Owen!) This, combined with connections I made through PMX Africa’s network, made me feel like I didn’t miss out on anything.
The Poster Happy Hour was a highlight of ACOP’s social event schedule, an opportunity to explore insightful posters on a truly diverse range of topics. I was happy to see many posters authored by Samer Mouksassi (Certara), a program lead and fellow faculty member of the APT program.
The learning didn’t take place only in social environments, but also the auditorium: Tawanda Gumbo’s State-of-the-Art Lecture stood out for me the most. This talk showcased the integration of non-linear mathematical modelling, biology, and AI to predict individual patient responses in global health – all topics close to my heart. His holistic approach (“looking at things in toto”) hit home for me.
The ISoP Trainee Talks Communication Challenge was one of the most creative sessions I attended, where participants explained complex topics using only four graphics in four minutes. After the session, I had the privilege of speaking with Peter Bonate, one of the judges and Editor-in-Chief of JPKPD, whose journal generously sponsored my trip.
I enjoyed several impactful sessions, including:
- Modelling in Pregnancy and Lactation, where Prof. Catriona Waitt, who leads the Ugandan chapter of Pharmacometrics Africa, delivered a remarkable talk. Thanks, Catriona, for taking me around to talk to new people!
- Enabling Progress Against Alzheimer’s Disease, presented by Ivelina Gueorguieva, which highlighted some work by APT (Applied Pharmacometrics Training) fellows (the APT program is a collaboration between Pharmacometrics Africa and industry leaders like Eli Lilly).
- Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs), a session that caught my attention, especially since ADCs have been among the projects conducted by APT fellows in collaboration with Eli Lilly.
In parallel with the conference, I had the opportunity to meet with colleagues I work with (and learn from) on the APT fellowship program, including Rik de Greef (Certara), Emmanuel (Mannie) Chigutsa, Ivelina Gueorguieva and Gemma Dickinson (Eli Lilly), and Kenta Yoshida and Amita Joshi (Genentech). I was also able to make time with fellow Pharmacometrics Africa collaborators, such as Stacey Tannenbaum (Metrum) and Jeff Barrett (Aridhia). I’m grateful for opportunities like this that strengthen our ties within the global pharmacometrics community.
This trip reaffirmed my passion for pharmacometrics and drove home for me the importance of collaboration in driving our field forward. The support from JPKPD and Pharmacometrics Africa not only made my attendance possible, but also supported me in engaging fully to learn and network from the best. The discussions and connections I made will undoubtedly help shape my research and professional growth in the coming years.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to JPKPD, especially Peter Bonate, for their generous support, and to Pharmacometrics Africa, particularly Pillai Goonaseelan (Colin), for continuously providing myself and others with opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to the field of pharmacometrics.
Here’s to continued learning, collaboration, and innovation in pharmacometrics!