The Common Fund Data Ecosystem (CFDE) made a strong impact at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2025 Annual Meeting in Boston, MA, bringing researchers, data scientists, and community members together through networking, learning, and collaboration.
A Vibrant Kickoff
The CFDE kicked off ASHG 2025 with a networking session on October 14, drawing an impressive crowd of nearly 200 participants. Attendees mingled, exchanged ideas, and explored scientific posters from across the CFDE community, setting an energetic tone for the week. The event provided an invaluable opportunity for members to connect and discuss ongoing research and data-sharing efforts across multiple Common Fund programs.
Engaging Booth Presence
Throughout the conference, the CFDE booth saw exceptional engagement during the three exhibit days (October 16–18). Representatives from the Knowledge Center, Training Center, ICC, GTEx, SPARC, and exRNA programs were on hand to share insights, answer questions, and showcase the expanding CFDE ecosystem. Many attendees stopped by to inquire about specific datasets and resources, which organically led to broader discussions about cross-program collaboration and data integration.
Ancillary Session Highlights
On October 16, CFDE hosted an ancillary session that provided a deeper look into the ecosystem’s current initiatives. The session featured presentations from the CFDE Overview Team, Knowledge Center, SMAHT, and the Training Center. Participants engaged in lively discussions and many later visited the booth to continue conversations and explore collaboration opportunities.
Strengthening the CFDE Community
The opportunity to gather in person was invaluable. Being able to connect directly with both familiar faces and new collaborators reinforced the importance of community engagement within the CFDE and beyond. The enthusiasm and energy throughout the conference underscored a shared commitment to advancing open science, data sharing, and integrative biomedical research.