January 2025 NESACS Meeting with Olaris, Inc. Featuring Elizabeth O'Day
2025-01-21 16:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, United States
Join us on Tuesday, January 21st for an evening featuring Elizabeth O’Day, CEO and Founder of Olaris, Inc., with Nicole Holderman and Chen Dong who will be presenting: “Leveraging metabolomics and machine learning for precision diagnostics“
Abstract: In this talk we explore the power of metabolomics for biomarker and diagnostic development and highlight the multidisciplinary team and skills needed to bring innovative products to market. Dr. Elizabeth O’Day will begin by describing her vision of Olaris as a precision diagnostic company that combines metabolomics, machine learning, and biology to develop tools that transform how we diagnose and treat disease. Beginning in ancient Egypt, metabolites have provided powerful biomarkers of human health, but only recently have advances in technology and data analysis enabled us to uncover new insights into human biology and disease.
The second part of the talk will be conducted by two science leaders at Olaris. First, Dr. Nicole Holderman will describe the myOLARIS-toolbox, which combines multi-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, mass spec, and rigorous statistical and machine learning analysis to fuel our biomarker discovery engine. Then, Chen Dong will detail how we leveraged our platform to launch the world’s first non-uniformly sampled (NUS) multi-dimensional NMR-based diagnostic for the non-invasive monitoring of kidney transplant immune status.
More about Liz O’Day, Ph.D. and the Olaris Team can be found on the Olaris, Inc. website at: https://www.myolaris.com/about
Public is Invited
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED , including annual board meeting, monthly board meeting, reception, dinner, and talk.

Beyond the Lab: Journey from Scientist to Founder
2025-01-27 14:30 - 17:00 | MIT Media Lab, 75 Amherst St, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
Hosted by E14 Fund and MAS, this engaging workshop will bring together MIT founders to share their experiences and insights on transitioning from scientists and engineers to entrepreneurs. The workshop is designed to guide you through the entrepreneurial process, encourage meaningful connections with both experienced and budding founders, and build a supportive community of peers at various stages of their startup journey.
Space is limited and applications to join are due by December 6.
Sign up: https://beyondthelab.mit.edu/iap

2025 Economic Outlook Forum
2025-01-27 17:00 - 20:00 | MassBioHub, 700 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
After a year of optimism and transition, the biopharma industry now wonders what opportunities and challenges lie ahead in 2025. MassBio invites you to a double bill of panel discussions between local executives and industry experts. Join the conversation on the headlines from the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, macro-economic trends affecting biopharma innovation, and how the new year could be different from the last, all through a Massachusetts lens.
You’ll not want to miss insights from pharma, biotech, and the investment community.

Where is the market heading?
What’s the environment for venture funding, IPOs, acquisitions, and dealmaking?
And what does it all mean for innovation in Greater Boston?

This members-only event, taking place on the heels of the release of MassBio’s 2024 Biopharma Funding Report and JP Morgan’s Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, always sells out. Register now to reserve your spot.

Adult Night at Science Park
2025-02-16 18:00 - 21:00 | Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston, MA, 02114, United States
For those who are grown-up but still growing, experience the Museum after hours at this 18 and up event. Find a friend, learn something cool, and fuel a lifelong love of science! FREE for members. Tickets for the rescheduled date will be on sale soon.
Kids love the Museum of Science, but we’re everyone’s museum. Experience the Museum after hours at this adults-only night, revisit fond memories of exploring Science Park, and see what’s changed to keep pace with the speed of science. Connect with other science enthusiasts, engage with our Museum educators, and immerse yourself in our Planetarium and 4-D Theater.
For anyone who is grown-up but still growing, you’ll want to join us at this evening of discovery!

3rd Viral Vector Process Development & Manufacturing Summit
2025-02-19 08:00 - 2025-02-21 17:00 | Hilton Boston Back Bay, 40 Dalton St, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
Join us in Boston at the 3rd Viral Vector Process Development & Manufacturing Summit to tackle these challenges!

What’s in store?
– Capsid Optimization & Purification Breakthroughs
– Seamless Scalability & COG Reduction Strategies
– High-dose production solutions
– 20+ hours of Expert Content, 2 Workshops, & 6+ Hours of Networking
– 20+ Expert Speakers in this space

Download the agenda here to find out more: https://ter.li/to1vr0

This is the special 10% discount code for the Science in Boston audience: 55228SIB10

Generative AI and the New Dawn of Life Sciences and Healthcare
2025-02-20 19:30 - 21:00 | Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston, MA, 02114, United States
Join the Museum’s Center for Life Sciences and the Harvard Business School Association of Boston for a special conversation celebrating the Museum’s 2025 Being Human spotlight.
The panel will explore the transformative potential of generative AI in the healthcare and life sciences sector, highlighting key areas where it can bring about significant improvements, including but not limited to:
• Patient-centric care
• Personalized on-demand health advice
• Enhanced precision and personalized physician care
• Tailored treatment and health plans
• Accelerating drug development
• Behind-the-scenes improvements in healthcare settings
Panelists will discuss how ecosystem transformation necessitates organizational transformation. They will outline challenges related to data access, authority, metrics, and responsibility that organizations need to address to fully leverage AI’s potential. Don’t miss this robust discussion around the current state of AI in the life sciences and healthcare space and emerging trends, the gap between expectations and actual results, and real-world case studies showcasing the impact of AI in this sector.

Stories from the Lab: Three African Women Scientists on Building Capacity and Becoming a Leader
2025-02-25 09:30 - 10:30
About the Webinar
In this hour-long fireside chat, you’ll hear from three African women building scientific capacity in their home countries. Prof. Ibok Oduro, Dr. Rana M.I. Morsy, and Dr. Mama Sy tell their stories of innovation.
Coming from three nations and at three stages in their respective careers, these scientists will discuss their journeys in the lab and academic leadership, all moderated by Seeding Labs Board Member Kala Subramanian, PhD.

Tickets are free but space is limited.

10th Annual Rare Disease Day Event: An Era of Innovation for Rare Diseases
2025-02-25 13:30 - 17:00 | Broad Institute, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States
The event will take place on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 from 1:30 – 5:00pm ET in the Merkin Building at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142) and streamed online. Registration will begin at 1:00pm, the speaking program will be held from 1:30 – 5:00pm in the Merkin Auditorium, and a reception will follow from 5:00 – 6:00pm in the Broad Discovery Center.
This year, the Broad Institute’s Ladders to Cures Scientific Accelerator in collaboration with The Termeer Foundation are hosting the 10th Annual Rare Disease Day Event: An Era of Innovation for Rare Diseases, featuring opening remarks from Anna Greka and Belinda Termeer, and a lineup of speakers from the rare disease space including Anne Carpenter, Richard Novak, Arya Rao, Effie Parks, Tinashe Chandauka, Bart Scheerder, Nathan Guo, Ada Lio, Avanthi Raghavan, and Masako Nakamura.
Rare genetic diseases are collectively common: they affect 1 in 10 people in North America. While more than 8,000 genes are known to drive these diseases, fewer than 500 have an available treatment. The mismatch in these numbers underscores the urgent need to disrupt the status quo and develop new approaches to deliver precision cures at scale.
The Ladders to Cures Scientific Accelerator is committed to uncovering the genetic roots of rare diseases and to using those insights to develop new treatments. With projects spanning multiple disease areas, Broad scientists are using genetics, functional genomics, computational biology, and chemical biology to better understand and ultimately seek effective treatments for rare diseases.
Building on the bold legacy of Henri Termeer, who pioneered groundbreaking treatments for rare diseases, The Termeer Foundation is a nonprofit organization working to connect the world of healthcare innovators until every patient has a cure.
If you have any questions regarding the event or an accessibility request, please reach out to Katie Liguori at kliguori@broadinstitute.org.

Carl Zimmer at the Harvard Science Center
2025-02-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Harvard Science Center, 1 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, United States
Harvard Book Store, the Harvard University Division of Science, and the Harvard Library welcome Carl Zimmer—award-winning science journalist, writer of the “Origins” column for The New York Times, and professor adjunct in the Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University—for a discussion of his new book Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe. This event will take place at the Harvard Science Center, located at 1 Oxford St, Cambridge. We will update this event page with the exact lecture hall the presentation will be in before the event.
Ticketing
There are two ticket options available for this event. Following the presentation will be a reception and book signing in the Cabot Science Library across the hall from the presentation room.
Free General Admission Ticket: Includes admission for one.
Book-Included Ticket: Includes admission for one and one hardcover copy of Air-Borne.
About Air-Borne
The fascinating, untold story of the air we breathe, the hidden life it contains, and invisible dangers that can turn the world upside down.
Every day we draw in two thousand gallons of air—and thousands of living things. From the ground to the stratosphere, the air teems with invisible life. This last great biological frontier remains so mysterious that it took over two years for scientists to finally agree that the Covid pandemic was caused by an airborne virus.
In Air-Borne, award-winning New York Times columnist and author Carl Zimmer leads us on an odyssey through the living atmosphere and through the history of its discovery. We travel to the tops of mountain glaciers, where Louis Pasteur caught germs from the air, and follow Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh above the clouds, where they conducted groundbreaking experiments. We meet the long-forgotten pioneers of aerobiology including William and Mildred Wells, who tried for decades to warn the world about airborne infections, only to die in obscurity.
Air-Borne chronicles the dark side of aerobiology with gripping accounts of how the United States and the Soviet Union clandestinely built arsenals of airborne biological weapons designed to spread anthrax, smallpox, and an array of other pathogens. Air-Borne also leaves readers looking at the world with new eyes—as a place where the oceans and forests loft trillions of cells into the air, where microbes eat clouds, and where life soars thousands of miles on the wind.
Weaving together gripping history with the latest reporting on Covid and other threats to global health, Air-Borne surprises us on every page as it reveals the hidden world of the air.
Bio
Carl Zimmer writes the “Origins” column for The New York Times and has frequently contributed to The Atlantic, National Geographic, Time, and Scientific American. He has won the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Science Journalism Award three times, among a host of other awards and fellowships. He teaches science writing at Yale, has been a guest on NPR’s RadioLab, Science Friday, and Fresh Air, and maintains an international speaking schedule. He is the author of fourteen books about science, including Life’s Edge.
Masking Policy
Masks are encouraged but not required for this event.

A Scholar’s Digital Footprint
2025-02-28 15:00 - 17:00 | Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, United States
On February 28, the MCB community is invited to a hands-on workshop, A Scholar’s Digital Footprint – Tips for Using Scholarly Sites and Social Networks for Professional Purposes, led by Jillian Amaral, MCB’s Reference, Collections, and Instruction Librarian. The seminar is presented as part of MCB’s Career Development Series.
This one-hour workshop is designed for scientists at all career stages—undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, research staff, and faculty—who want to optimize their online presence. Attendees will learn how to set up professional profiles and connect their scholarly work to platforms that enhance visibility and networking.
“I designed this workshop because I recognized that students and postdocs may not be aware of their scholarly digital footprint and how to integrate various aspects of it,” says Jillian.
This is the first in a series of upcoming workshops from Jillian, including sessions on literature and citation management for theses and dissertations, as well as data management. Remember to bring your laptops, as participants are encouraged to actively engage with the instruction. Refreshments will be provided.
Register here

OPT Congress: Oligonucleotides & mRNA Therapeutics
2025-03-11 08:00 - 2025-03-12 17:00 | Seaport Hotel Boston, 1 Seaport Lane, Boston, MA, 02110, United States
OPT Congress is the premier event for scientists and executive directors involved in discovering and developing oligonucleotide and mRNA therapeutics. For 2025 we are delighted to expand our content and offer a conference program dedicated to emerging oligo modalities, sharing cutting-edge research and technologies used in designing new targeted therapies.
Now in its 10th year, this unique event brings together leading chemists, biologists, toxicologists, CMC experts, regulatory specialists and technology providers to discuss advances in next-generation therapeutics. In addition to 2 days of inspiring keynotes, breakout discussions and 95+ scientific presentations, we deliver two in-depth short courses to further add to the learning opportunities. We look forward to welcoming you to our community focused event, offering robust and customizable programming tailored to your specific needs.

MassBio Expert Panel: Advancing Development with Innovative Trial Design and Regulatory Strategies
2025-03-12 08:00 - 17:00 | MassBioHub, 700 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
Join us at the MassBioHub in Cambridge, Massachusetts on March 12, 2025 for this exclusive complimentary event and expert panel discussion showcasing the impact of unified trial design and regulatory strategies on derisking and accelerating clinical development.
Registration: From 11:30 am
Panel discussion:12:00
Post discussion lunch: 12:45-13:30
Secure faster development and regulatory pathways
Biotech organizations face a series of high-stakes decisions as they design their clinical development programs. These decisions include trade-offs between factors such as speed and cost, as well as delivery and regulatory risk. In this balancing act, too often, companies default to traditional study designs and endpoints, often missing opportunities for innovative approaches that could reduce patient numbers or secure a faster regulatory pathway.
Learn from our regulatory and statistical experts
This panel-led session, brought to you by MMS and featuring Aiden Flynn, SVP Statistical Consulting, Amanda Beaster, Director Regulatory Strategy, and Ben Dudley, Chief Commercial Officer, will examine real-life design optimization case studies, including using powerful statistical simulation software like KerusCloud. The presenters will explore innovative strategies including Real-world-data (RWD) augmentation, innovative trial designs, model-informed drug development, the role of statistical simulation in optimizing the probability of success, and best-practices for Regulatory risk management when pursuing non-standard designs. At the conclusion of the panel discussion, there will be the opportunity for the audience to ask the experts their most pressing questions in an interactive Q&A.

11th Annual: Latest Advancements and Data in Immuno-Oncology
2025-03-24 08:00 - 2025-03-26 17:00 | Sheraton Boston Hotel, 39 Dalton St., Boston, MA, 02199, United States
Hear directly from science and business stakeholders on the latest data impacting IO to fight a wider range of cancers.

IO360° Delivers 4 Key Benefits

1. Delivering a 360° IO Community​ to Network and Form Collaborations
Build faster and more impactful collaborations with researchers, clinicians, biopharma leaders, investors and policymakers to advance cancer treatments
2. The Latest Data Driving Broader Impact
Hear directly from KOLs on the latest data to help advance and improve outcomes for more patients across a wider range of cancers
​​​​​
3. 360° Future-Focused Agenda
Stay ahead of the curve through 100+ multi-dimensional talks covering preclinical research, translational science, clinical development, operational strategies, cell therapy and business advancements
4. 10+ Hours of Networking Opportunities
Meet with key stakeholders in biopharma, academia, investors and regulatory through 1:1 meetings and scheduled functions

The New England Science Symposium (NESS)
2025-03-30 08:00 - 17:00 | Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA, United States
Established in 2001, NESS provides a forum for postdoctoral fellows; medical, dental and graduate students; post-baccalaureates; college and community college students (particularly for African-American, Hispanic/Latino and American Indian/Alaska Native individuals) to share their biomedical and health-related research activities through oral or poster presentations, engage in discussions related to career development in the sciences, exchange ideas, and expand their professional networks.
NESS Application: https://hms.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8ojAJfX51sHWVqm
Your abstract is required at the time of application, please have your abstract and have PI approval ready. The deadline to apply is 12:00 PM ET on January 6, 2025.
Early Registration: https://hms.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_77IQO8pF2EPX1xc
This form will remain open until the week of NESS.

Bio-IT World Conference & Expo
2025-04-02 08:00 - 2025-04-04 17:00 | Omni Hotel Boston at the Seaport, 450 Summer St, Boston, MA, 02210, United States
The Bio-IT World Conference & Expo is the premier global event showcasing technologies and analytic approaches that solve problems, accelerate science, and drive the future of precision medicine. By uniting a community of 3,000+ leaders in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, clinical research, healthcare, informatics, and technology, the event pushes the boundaries of biomedical research, drug discovery and development, and patient outcomes. The program features inspiring plenary keynotes, 200+ educational and technical presentations, interactive panels, hands-on symposia, technical workshops, unparalleled networking opportunities, and an exhibit hall showcasing cutting-edge technologies and solutions. Attendees are invited to engage in transformative conversations on the latest advancements in digital and data transformations; AI; generative AI; machine learning (ML); real-world data strategies; pilot programs; new product results; and biotech investment trends.

AI: Advancing Foundational Biology
2025-04-08 14:00 - 17:00 | Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States
The Whitehead Innovation Initiative is pleased to host AI: Advancing Foundational Biology on April 8, 2025. This symposium will explore how artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming foundational biological research, featuring insights from pioneering computational biologists and AI experts.
This half-day event includes talks from leaders successfully integrating AI into biological discovery, a discussion with Innovation Initiative co-founder, Michael Chambers, and a poster session that offers attendees an opportunity to engage with cutting-edge AI applications in research.
Visit bit.ly/whitehead-ai to register. For questions, email events@wi.mit.edu.

2025 AAPS National Biotechnology Conference
2025-05-04 08:00 - 2025-05-07 17:00 | The Westin Boston Seaport District, 425 Summer St., Boston, MA, 02210, United States
The AAPS National Biotechnology Conference (NBC) uncovers the latest science and trends that impact today’s research and pharmaceutical markets, specifically in the areas of biologics, biotechnology products, and advanced therapies. Join leading pharmaceutical scientists May 4-7, in Boston, MA, for sessions covering new modalities, technologies, and novel strategies in biotherapeutic development.
Register today!

PEGS Protein & Antibody Engineering Summit
2025-05-12 08:00 - 2025-05-16 17:00 | Omni Hotel Boston at the Seaport, 450 Summer St, Boston, MA, 02210, United States
The 2025 PEGS Boston Summit is set to build on the remarkable success of previous years, continuing its legacy as the premier event for biologics and protein engineering. Bringing together a global community of experts, innovators, and leaders in the field, the Summit will offer cutting-edge insights into the latest advances in drug development, protein and antibody engineering, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and AI/ML-driven biologics research. With over 300 presentations, breakout sessions, and interactive seminars, attendees will have unparalleled opportunities to network, learn, and engage in meaningful collaborations. The exhibit hall will once again feature top product and service providers, creating a gathering space for discovery, innovation, and fun. Join us at the PEGS Boston Summit to be part of the next wave of breakthroughs shaping the future of biologics.

Harvard University Generative AI Symposium
2025-05-13 13:00 - 18:00 | Klarman Hall, Soldiers Fld Rd., Boston, MA, 02163, United States
Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard (D^3) is partnering with the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, the Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and Harvard University Information Technology to offer a university-wide symposium on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, on the implications and potential of Generative AI technologies in teaching, learning, operations, and research. This half-day event is open to Harvard faculty, staff, and students. Sessions will focus on the impact of generative AI on research, teaching, operations, and innovative applications across professional schools and areas of practice. We will showcase cutting-edge work currently being done across Harvard and foster continuing community dialogue around how the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence will shape the future of Harvard as a whole.
Join faculty, staff, and students to explore a wide array of AI use cases across fields. The program will include a variety of flash talks, concurrent breakouts, and an exhibit hall, where you can learn about current projects at the University and network with others interested in generative AI.
Registration will open April 1; for more information visit: d3.harvard.edu…

The Broad Discovery Series: How Brain Cells Talk to One Another
2025-05-13 18:00 - 19:00 | Broad Institute, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States
Tuesday, May 13
6:00 – 7:00 pm
Reception to follow

Broad Institute Auditorium + Discovery Center
415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA

The brain is all about connection and communication, with cells sharing information back and forth in a variety of ways. Breakdowns in those channels can be major contributors to conditions ranging from schizophrenia to Alzheimer’s disease. In this special Broad Discovery Series x BroadIgnite event, neurobiologist Ralda Nehme will talk about new ways of exploring brain cell cross-talk in the lab, while chemical biologist Shiwei Wang will explain how cells in the brain and beyond use sugars as a messaging system, and why that matters in neurodegenerative disorders.

For this event, the Broad Discovery Series is partnering with BroadIgnite, which connects philanthropists with early-career researchers involved in high-risk, potentially high-reward projects.

REGISTER

Speakers
Ralda Nehme, Institute scientist, Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research
Shiwei Wang, Graduate student, Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program

Broad Discovery Series
The Broad Discovery Series brings researchers to the stage to discuss and answer questions about some of the most pressing topics in science and medicine today. Held in-person and virtually at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, these free public events explore the genetic and biological roots of human health and disease, the mechanisms that govern how our cells and bodies function, new technologies that are changing what’s possible in science, and the progress being made to translate these findings into treatments for common and rare diseases.

Please visit broad.io/discoverylive to access the event live stream at the time of the event.

BioTech, Life Sciences & Healthcare Networking Event
2025-05-14 18:00 - 20:00 | 345 Harrison Ave, 345 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118, United States
For students, professionals, and anyone looking to learn and network with others in the BioTech, Life Sciences & Healthcare industry.

Cancer Biology Annual Spring Symposium
2025-05-21 10:00 - 18:00 | Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA, United States
The Landry Cancer Biology Consortium is an educational consortium that aims to bring together the
cancer biology community at Harvard and affiliate hospitals. We seek to provide advanced educational
training, career development, networking, and collaborative opportunities for students to extend their
studies and community beyond the classroom and thesis lab. Our mission is to provide an educational
and programmatic framework that fosters collaboration and multidisciplinary approaches to better
understand and combat cancer.
WE ACHIEVE OUR MISION BY–
– Building & supporting a HILS-wide cancer community
– Designing & executing cancer-related curriculum
– Supporting professional development
This work is made possible by the generous support to Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences of the
late C. Kevin Landry and his family, colleagues, and friends. This gift represents a transformative
investment in some of the best and brightest young minds in cancer biology. Through the Landry
Cancer Biology Consortium, Harvard is leveraging the strength of its scientific community to encourage
new breakthroughs in cancer research and treatment.
CONNECT WITH US
If you want to learn more about Landry Cancer Biology Consortium, visit our
website https://landrycancer.hms.harvard.edu.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out to Jelena Patrnogić,
Jelena_Patrnogic@hms.harvard.edu

2025 Phillip A. Sharp Lecture in Neural Circuits with Mala Murthy
2025-05-22 16:00 - 18:00 | Building 46, 43 Vassar St., Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
The Phillip A. Sharp Lecture in Neural Circuits is an annual lecture in honor of Phillip Sharp, who served as founding director of McGovern Institute from 2000-2004.

Talk Title: Circuit Mechanisms for Dynamic Social Interactions
Abstract: Our research explores the neural mechanisms underlying flexibility during natural social interactions – how animals process dynamic sensory cues from a partner, make decisions, and pattern the appropriate action for the current context. During Drosophila social interactions, males produce time-varying songs via wing vibration, while females arbitrate mating decisions. We discovered that male song structure and intensity are continually sculpted by the movements of the female, over timescales ranging from tens of milliseconds to minutes, and we have investigated the underlying circuit mechanisms, from visual processing to the sequencing of actions. My lab has also investigated how song representations in the female brain drive changes in her behavior, again across multiple timescales. To uncover these mechanisms, we have developed new methods for quantification and computational modeling of behavior, as well as for brain-wide neural recording, and we combine these with the genetic and neural circuit tools of the Drosophila model system. We also recently generated the first whole-brain connectome for Drosophila, and I will discuss how we are leveraging this resource, to connect circuit architecture and activity at brain scale to behavior.

Bio: Mala Murthy (b. 1975) is an American neuroscientist and Professor of Neuroscience at Princeton University and leads the Murthy lab in the Princeton Neuroscience Institute – their work focuses on the neural mechanisms that underlie social communication, using the fruit fly Drosophila as a model system. In July 2022, she was named Director of the Princeton Neuroscience Institute.
Prof. Murthy grew up in southeast Texas and received her B.S. in Biology from MIT. She was a Burchards scholar in the humanities and won the John L. Asinari prize for outstanding undergraduate research in the life sciences. She then received her PhD in Neuroscience from Stanford University, working with Thomas Schwarz and Richard Scheller – her thesis research centered on mechanisms of vesicle trafficking to synaptic and other cell membranes. She did postdoctoral work in systems neuroscience with Gilles Laurent at Caltech, as a Helen Hay Whitney fellow. Her postdoctoral work initiated a new area of investigation into stereotypy in the central brain of Drosophila, in a region of the brain important for learning in memory. In 2010, she joined the faculty at Princeton University in the Departments of Molecular Biology and Neuroscience. She was promoted to Associate Professor in 2016 and to Full Professor in 2019.
Her research group consists of computational neuroscientists and experimentalists, who collectively study the many neural processes that underlie social communication and behavioral flexibility, including detection and recognition of multisensory cues, decision-making, execution and patterning of motor actions, and internal brain states. She co-led the FlyWire Consortium, an open science effort, that generated the first whole brain connectome for Drosophila. Her work has led to the discovery that sensory feedback cues and brain internal states dynamically modulate song patterning in flies, which has opened up the study of how the brain mediates the back and forth exchange of information between individuals, leveraging the tools of the fly model system. Her team has also developed new methods for quantifying animal behavior that have been widely used in neuroscience research.
Prof. Murthy has received a number of honors, including an NSF CAREER award, an NIH New Innovator award, an Alfred P. Sloan fellowship, a Klingenstein fellowship, a McKnight Scholar award, an NINDS Research Program award, several awards through the NIH BRAIN Initiative, an HHMI Faculty Scholar award, and a Simons Foundation Investigator award. She has participated in several events for the BRAIN Initiative at the White House and US Capitol. In 2021, she joined the Multi-Council Working Group that oversees the long-term scientific vision of the BRAIN Initiative.

3rd Gene Therapy Potency Assay Summit
2025-05-28 08:00 - 2025-05-29 17:00 | Revere Hotel Boston Common, 200 Stuart St., Boston, MA, 02116, United States
Accelerating the Route to Commercialization with Robust Potency Assay Development

Following a challenging year in the gene therapy field, the 3rd Gene Therapy Potency Assay Summit returns at a crucial time when drug developers increasingly recognize that a robust potency assay is fundamental to both clinical success and commercial viability. As regulatory expectations continue to evolve, it has never been more important to develop assays that are accurate, reproducible, and aligned with regulatory standards.

While many industry meetings touch on potency in a broad or non-technical manner, this summit stands apart as the only event fully dedicated to the complexities of potency assay development. With an emphasis on deep technical discussions, attendees will gain unparalleled insights into phase-appropriate assay development, methodology advancements, reducing lot-to-lot variability, and meeting evolving regulatory expectations. By bringing together a specialized community of Analytical Development, Quality Control, and Regulatory experts, this meeting offers a unique platform to discuss challenges, share strategies, and explore innovative solutions.

One of the key highlights of this year’s agenda is the session “Navigating Regulatory Requirements for Gene Therapy Potency Assays”, presented by Melody Dai, Vice President, Head of Regulatory Affairs & CMC at Novasenta. This session, taking place at 9:00 AM on Day 1, will provide an in-depth exploration of regulatory strategies for potency assays, covering both early and ongoing regulatory engagement. Attendees will learn how to build effective relationships with regulatory agencies, navigate evolving requirements, and prepare for critical regulatory meetings and submissions. By leveraging insights from experts with hands-on experience in clinical-stage gene therapy products, this session will offer practical guidance that extends beyond theoretical discussions.

With a carefully curated agenda and contributions from industry leaders, the 3rd Gene Therapy Potency Assay Summit provides an essential opportunity to advance potency assay strategies, enhance regulatory preparedness, and accelerate the path to commercialization. Whether you are refining your assay methodologies, tackling regulatory complexities, or preparing for the next phase of development, this event will equip you with the expertise and connections needed to drive success in gene therapy.

Find Out More Here: https://ter.li/zq45go

Precision in Drug Discovery & Preclinical Summit Boston
2025-06-09 08:00 - 2025-06-10 17:00 | Revere Hotel Boston Common, 200 Stuart St., Boston, MA, 02116, United States
The drug discovery industry in Boston stands at the forefront of global innovation, playing a pivotal role in advancing pharmaceutical research and development. Boston’s robust ecosystem, characterized by a concentration of world-class academic institutions, cutting-edge biotech companies, and a collaborative spirit, fosters an environment conducive to groundbreaking discoveries. Boston proudly serves as the global epicenter for the foremost cluster of biotech and life science enterprises. Now, envision a more fitting locale to engage with the trailblazers leading the charge in groundbreaking research within the realms of Drug Discovery & Preclinical Research.
Join us at the 25th Precision in Drug Discovery & Preclinical Summit (Boston USA) PDDP for a two-day journey into the insightful world of drug discovery and preclinical development. You’ll connect with an incredible gathering of experts and uncover practical advice from industry-leading researchers and executives. Get ready for an event designed to deliver real value-packed insights, and connections with fellow professionals, and learn strategies you can use the next day.
The Precision in Drug Discovery & Preclinical event will be a unique platform for the largest bio-pharmaceutical hub in the region to network and discuss collaboration in order to achieve their discovery and scientific strategies.
This gathering will showcase the progress and latest research trends that include new compounds, artificial intelligence & Machine learning, drug design, synthesis methods, and technologies that advance the science of leaders in the pharma-biotech and academic spaces. With an innovation-focused agenda and pre-scheduled meetings between potential collaborators and a host of reliable service providers, the summit is designed to help attendees find solutions to their most pressing research challenges in 2025 and beyond. #PDDPSUMMIT

Symposium Series on Emerging Model Organisms with Tessa Montague
2025-06-13 16:00 - 17:00 | Building 46, 43 Vassar St., Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
Talk title: The neural basis of cuttlefish camouflage and social behavior

Speaker: Tessa G. Montague, ph.D.; HHMI Hanna Gray Fellow, Richard Axel Lab at Columbia University

Abstract: Cuttlefish are coleoid cephalopods that dynamically change the color, pattern and texture of their skin to camouflage with their surroundings. Camouflage is achieved by expanding and contracting pigment-filled saccules in the skin called chromatophores, through the action of motor neurons that project from the brain. Thus, the patterning of the skin is a physical manifestation of neural activity in the brain. In addition to camouflage, cuttlefish use their dynamic skin to communicate with conspecifics using a series of innate skin patterns that reveal the animal’s internal state. We are using the cuttlefish skin behaviors to understand how the physical properties of the visual world are represented by patterns of neural activity in the brain, and how this representation is transformed into an approximation of the physical world on the skin. We have performed a series of experiments to develop the dwarf cuttlefish, Ascarosepion bandense, as a model to investigate the neural basis of camouflage and social communication. We have described the stages of embryonic development, sequenced the genome and transcriptome, completed a 3D brain atlas, developed camouflage and social behavioral paradigms, and examined dwarf cuttlefish behavior in the wild. Furthermore, we are generating transgenic cuttlefish that express genetically-encoded calcium indicators and light-activated channels, permitting the live imaging and manipulation of neural activity. These technologies should permit us to simultaneously record neural activity and measure behavior to uncover how visual information is deconstructed in the brain, and then reconstructed into an image of the physical world on the skin.

Adult Night at Science Park
2025-06-20 08:00 - 17:00 | Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston, MA, 02114, United States
Kids love the Museum of Science, but we’re everyone’s museum. Experience the Museum after hours at this adults-only night, back (and an hour longer) by popular demand! Revisit fond memories of exploring Science Park, and see what’s changed to keep pace with the speed of science. Connect with other science enthusiasts, engage with our Museum educators, and immerse yourself in our Planetarium and 4-D Theater.
For anyone who is grown-up but still growing, you’ll want to join us at this evening of discovery!
Check your confirmation email for links to reserve FREE Planetarium and 4-D add-on tickets.

Lisa S. Gardiner at BioMed Realty
2025-06-20 08:00 - 17:00 | BioMed Realty, 650 East Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States
Harvard Book Store and BioMed Realty welcome Lisa S. Gardiner—science writer, geoscientist, educator, and author of Tales from an Uncertain World: What Other Assorted Disasters Can Teach Us about Climate Change—for a discussion of her book Reefs of Time: What Fossils Reveal about Coral Survival.
Ticketing
There are two ticket options available for this event.
Free General Admission Ticket: Includes admission for one.
Book-Included Ticket: Includes admission for one and one hardcover copy of Reefs of Time.
Note: Books bundled with tickets may only be picked up at the venue the night of the event, and cannot be picked up in-store beforehand. Ticket holders who purchased a book-included ticket and are unable to attend the event will be able to pick up their book at Harvard Book Store up to 30 days following the event. This offer expires after 30 days. Please note we cannot guarantee signed copies will be available to ticket holders who do not attend the event.
About Reefs of Time
How fossilized reefs hold clues to the survival of corals in the Anthropocene
With rising global temperatures, pollution, overfishing, ocean acidification, and other problems caused by humans, there’s no question that today’s coral reefs are in trouble. As predictions about the future of these ecosystems grow increasingly dire, scientists are looking in an unlikely place for new ways to save corals: the past. The reefs of yesteryear faced challenges too, from changing sea level to temperature shifts, and understanding how they survived and when they faltered can help guide our efforts to help ensure a future for reefs.
Lisa Gardiner weaves together the latest cutting-edge science with stories of her expeditions to tropical locales to show how fossils and other reef remains offer tantalizing glimpses of how corals persisted through time, and how this knowledge can guide our efforts to ensure a future for these remarkable organisms. Gardiner takes readers on an excursion into “the shallow end of deep time”—when marine life was much like today’s yet unaffected by human influence—to explore the cities of fossilized limestone left behind by corals and other reef life millennia ago. The changes in reefs today are unlike anything ever seen before, but the fossil record offers hope that the coral reefs of tomorrow can weather the environmental challenges that lie ahead.
A breathtaking journey of scientific discovery, Reefs of Time reveals how lessons from the past can help us to chart a path forward for coral reefs struggling for survival in an age of climate crisis and mass extinction.

Bio
Lisa S. Gardiner is a science writer, geoscientist, and educator. She is the author of Tales from an Uncertain World: What Other Assorted Disasters Can Teach Us about Climate Change. Her writing has appeared in leading publications such as the Atlantic, Hakai Magazine, and Scientific American.
BioMed Realty Discover Here Author Series
The BioMed Realty Discover Here Author Series is an engaging collaboration between BioMed Realty and Harvard Book Store. The series features thought-provoking talks by authors of recently published books on a variety of topics, including science, mental wellness, AI, history, and more. Each event includes an insightful discussion or presentation, followed by light refreshments and a book signing by the author. The series is open to both tenants of BioMed Realty and the general public.

2025 RNA Therapeutics: From Concept to Clinic
2025-06-25 08:00 - 2025-06-27 17:00 | UMass Medical School, Sherman Center, 7th Floor, room AS7.2072 55 North Lake Ave, Worcester, MA, 01655, United States
Explore the brilliant minds at 2025 RNATx Symposium, RNA thought leaders, scientists and clinicians from academia, government, and industry.

Koch Institute Symposium 2025
2025-06-27 09:00 - 16:30 | Huntington Hall, 222 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
The 23rd Annual Koch Institute Symposium on Antibody Drug Conjugates: Targeted Cancer Therapies at the Intersection of Chemistry, Biology, and Engineering will take place on Friday, June 27, 2025. Kicking off with 2022 Nobel Prize winner Carolyn Bertozzi, our speaker lineup features an array of industry and academic leaders who will discuss current advancements and challenges in deploying antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) as anti-cancer agents. We cordially invite scientists, oncologists, and any other member of the biomedical community to join us in a day of engaging talks, stimulating conversations with colleagues, and of course camaraderie in our collective fight against cancer.
Learn more!
