2026 USASP Sickle Cell Disease Pre-Conference Workshop -
Connecting Minds, Improving Lives: Collaborative Pain Research in Sickle Cell Disease
Registration for workshops is part of the 2026 Annual Meeting registration form. Full meeting registration is not required for Pre-Conference Workshop attendance or the PURPOSE Meeting, but it is required for the Early Career Forum.
Date: March 23, 2026
Registration fee: $25
Location: Loews Hotel Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Time: 12:00pm-4:00 pm
Organizers: Lakeya McGill, PhD & Keesha Roach, PhD, RN, FAAN (USASP SCD SIG) with SCDPAIN
Join us for a dynamic and highly interactive half-day workshop designed to build bridges across disciplines and accelerate progress in pain research for people living with sickle cell disease (SCD). This pre-conference session will bring together researchers, clinicians, trainees, people with lived experience, and partners from policy and industry to share ideas, foster collaboration, and spark innovation.
The program features short “spark talks” from emerging investigators and field leaders, a trainee presentation blitz, and a keynote from a person with lived experience. Through small-group rotations and networking activities, participants will have the opportunity to explore new research directions, discuss challenges and solutions in interdisciplinary SCD pain research, and form lasting collaborations.
Whether you are a seasoned investigator or new to SCD research, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and contribute to improving the lives of people with sickle cell disease through meaningful scientific partnership.
