CU Anschutz History
2026
Women’s Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) Retreat
at CU Anschutz
The 2026 Women's Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) Retreat
November 11th–13th, 2026
About the Conference
The CU Anschutz Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is honored to host the 2026 Women’s Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) Program Retreat in Aurora, Colorado. We are delighted to welcome WRHR scholars and mentors from across the nation for this premier annual gathering.
The WRHR Retreat provides a unique forum for showcasing innovative research, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and advancing the careers of the next generation of leaders in women’s reproductive health research. Through scientific presentations, mentorship opportunities, and meaningful professional connections, participants will engage in discussions that drive discovery and improve the health of women across the lifespan.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of the CU Anschutz campus, the 2026 retreat will celebrate scientific excellence, cultivate new partnerships, and strengthen the national community of researchers dedicated to advancing obstetric and gynecologic health.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
2026 WRHR Conference Committee:
Registration
The 2026 WRHR Retreat brings together WRHR scholars, mentors, and NIH representatives dedicated to advancing women's health research. WRHR program participants may contact [email protected] for registration information.
Retreat Agenda
Check back soon for a more detailed schedule.
Wednesday, November 11th (Evening)
All programming on November 11, 2026, will take place at the Benson Hotel & Faculty Club.
| Time | Description |
| 5:00 pm | Conference Check-In |
| 5:30 pm | WRHR Retreat Opening Reception |
Thursday, November 12th (Morning)
On November 12, 2026, all programming between 7:00 AM and 12:30 PM MST will take place at the Anschutz Health Science Building, 1890 N Revere Ct., Aurora, Colorado 80045.
| Time | Description |
| 7:00 – 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:00 – 8:10 AM | Welcome Remarks Introduction
Opening Remarks
|
| 8:10 – 9:10 AM | Scholar Lightning Talks: Session 1 (4 Presenters) |
| 9:10 – 9:15 AM | Break |
| 9:15 – 10:15 AM | Scholar Lightning Talks: Session 2 (4 Presenters) |
| 10:15 – 10:30 AM | Break |
| 10:30 – 11:30 AM | Scholar Lightning Talks: Session 3 (4 Presenters) |
| 11:30 – 11:45 AM | Grab Lunch |
| 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM | Lunch and Learn: Career Development Panel Moderators:
Panelists:
|
| 12:30 – 1:00 PM | Walk to the Benson Hotel and Faculty Club – through Fitzsimons Building (Mini Tour) |
Thursday, November 12th (Afternoon)
On November 12, 2026, all programming between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM MST will take place at the Benson Hotel & Faculty Club, 13025 East Montview Blvd., Aurora, Colorado 80045.
| Time | Description |
| 1:00 – 1:45 PM | Keynote Lecture Tracy Bale, PhD, Professor and the Anschutz Foundation Endowed Chair in Women’s |
| 1:45 – 2:30 PM | Institutional Research Environment
|
| 2:30 – 2:45 PM | Break |
| 2:45 – 3:30 PM | AI & Data Science in Biomedical Research
|
| 3:30 – 3:45 PM | Open Discussion / Scholar Q&A |
| 3:45 – 4:45 PM | Poster Session and Networking |
| 4:45 – 5:25 PM | Break |
| 5:25 PM | Shuttle for dinner departs |
WRHR Scholars Dinner
Coctail hour and dinner will take place at the historic Brown Palace Hotel, 321 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202.
| Time | Description |
| 6:00 – 7:00 PM | Cocktail Hour |
| 7:00 – 9:00 PM | Dinner |
| 9:15 PM | The shuttle returning to the CU Anschutz campus departs. |
Friday, November 13th (Morning)
All programming on November 13, 2026, will take place at the Benson Hotel.
| Time | Description | |
| 7:00 – 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
|
| 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Scholar Lightning Talks: Session 4 | |
| 9:00 – 9:45 AM |
Building and Managing the Lab/Research Group Benjamin Bitler, PhD, Professor & D. Thomas and Kay L. Dunton Endowed Chair in Ovarian Cancer Research, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of OB-GYN, CU Anschutz School of Medicine |
|
| 9:45 – 10:00 AM | Break | |
| Concurrent Sessions | ||
| 10:00 – 11:30 AM |
Program Leadership Session (Ballroom) Meeting with:
|
|
| 10:00 – 11:30 AM | Scholar Networking (Faculty Club Lounge) | |
| 11:30 – 11:45 AM | Closing Remarks | |
| 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM |
Sandwich & Salad Buffet Lunch |
|
Times and speakers are subject to change.
Traveling to the Conference
Airport
The WRHR Retreat will take place on the CU Anschutz campus, located in Aurora, Colorado. The campus is only a 20-minute drive from Denver International Airport (DIA).
Getting from DIA to the Conference Hotel
Getting Around on Campus
The University of Colorado Anschutz campus is the largest academic health center in the Rocky Mountain region. The campus includes the University of Colorado health professional schools, 60+ centers and institutes, UCHealth hospital, Children's Hospital Colorado, and the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center.
Learn More about CU Anschutz
School of Medicine History
Department of OB-GYN History
Presentation Guidelines
Poster Guidelines for Scholars, Years 1-2
- Poster dimensions are 40” w x 36” h.
- View a WRHR Retreat Poster Sample.
Printing your Posters
- To conveniently send your poster to print and pick it up at the WRHR Retreat:
- Visit PhD Posters
- Select "Order Now"
- "WRHR Retreat" should be selected under the "Conference Pick-Up" option.
Poster Abstract Instructions
- 250-word limit
- No tables
- No pictures
Important Deadlines
- The deadline to submit your poster abstracts is Wednesday, October 23, 7 pm ET (submit to [email protected])
- To ensure your poster is ready for the retreat, please submit it for printing by Wednesday, November 4, 9:30 pm ET. We will pick up the printed posters and have them set up on-site for you (see the printing instructions above).
For any technical questions related to posters and poster abstracts, please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected].
Lightning Talk Presentation Guidelines for Scholars, Years 3-5
- Lightning Talks should be 10-minute presentations.
- For presentation guidelines and template, please download the 2026 WRHR Retreat PowerPoint Template.
Important Deadlines
- Deadline to submit your Lightning Talk title is Friday, October 23, 7 pm ET (please submit to [email protected]).
- Deadline to submit your Lighting Talk PowerPoint presentation is Wednesday, November 4th, 7 pm ET (please submit to [email protected]).
For any technical questions related to Lightning Talk Presentations, please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected].