Harrison Fellows Engage at 10th Annual MASH-TAG Conference

JANUARY 8–10, 2026, PARK CITY, UTAH, USA

Harrison Fellows participated in the 10th Annual MASH-TAG Conference, a leading scientific meeting focused on advancing therapeutic development, regulatory science, and biomarker innovation for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) and liver fibrosis.

This year’s event highlighted the growing inclusion of patient perspectives within the MASH research and clinical development community. Three Harrison Fellows — Gabriela Portugal-Bouza, Jennifer Berg, and Kerry Sivia — were present in person, contributing patient insights to discussions on MASH drug and biomarker development. Five additional Fellows joined the conference virtually, further extending the reach of patient advocacy within the meeting.

The participation of Fellows at MASH-TAG reflects the ongoing efforts of course directors and organizers to integrate patient advocates into scientific dialogue and to create opportunities for meaningful contribution. This year’s engagement builds on a decade of progress toward sustained patient involvement at the conference.

The event holds particular significance for the Fellowship. Dr. Stephen A. Harrison, for whom the program is named, was among the founding figures of the MASH-TAG meeting. In 2017, he invited Wayne Eskridge, Founder and CEO of the Fatty Liver Foundation, to deliver the first patient presentation at MASH-TAG—an important milestone that helped establish a more patient-centered dimension within the conference. Nearly ten years later, the presence of Fellows at the 10th Annual meeting continues that legacy and underscores the evolving role of patients in shaping scientific priorities, trial design, and therapeutic development pathways.

Throughout the three-day meeting, Fellows engaged with clinicians, researchers, and industry leaders on topics including non-invasive biomarkers, advanced imaging, regulatory science, and emerging therapeutic approaches. Their participation demonstrated how lived experience can inform scientific innovation and promote more patient-centered strategies for steatotic liver disease.

The continued collaboration between the Fellowship, clinician-scientists, and MASH-TAG leadership represents an important step toward improving care and outcomes for individuals living with metabolic liver disease.