Schedule
BGS 40th Anniversary Celebration Agenda
Thursday, 10/9/25
5:00-7:00pm
Graduate Group Alumni Reunions
- Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Chemical Biology (BBCB) – Anatomy-Chemistry Building, Johnson Foundation Library, 2nd Floor
- Cell and Molecular Biology (CAMB) – Smilow Center for Translational Research, Commons
- Epidemiology & Biostatistics (GGEB) – Jordan Medical Education Center, Law Lobby
- Genomics & Computational Biology (GCB) – Biomedical Research Building, Room 253
- Immunology (IGG), Neuroscience (NGG), & Pharmacology (PGG) – Biomedical Research Building, 14th Floor
Friday, 10/10/25
BRB Lobby/Auditorium (7:30am - 4:00pm)
7:30am
Registration
8:30
Welcome!
- Daniel Kessler, Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Education, Perelman School of Medicine, and Interim Director, Biomedical Graduate Studies
- Jonathan Epstein, Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine and Executive Vice President of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System
- Michael Ostap, Senior Vice Dean and Chief Scientific Officer, Perelman School of Medicine
- Kelly Jordan-Sciutto, Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Livestream: https://mediasite.med.upenn.edu/mediasite/Play/07a7ce4466d441f98c2d7e470785a8f71d
8:50
Keynote Talk - "Nucleoside Modified mRNA-LNP Therapeutics"
- Introduction by Kathy Fernando, Former Senior Vice President and Global Head of Pfizer Ignite
- Drew Weissman, Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research and director of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation at the Perelman School of Medicine
Livestream: https://mediasite.med.upenn.edu/mediasite/Play/07a7ce4466d441f98c2d7e470785a8f71d
10:00am
Keynote Talk - "In vivo CAR T: From Bench to Bedside"
- Introduction by Ted Williamson, Cell and Molecular Biology Student
- Haig Aghajanian, Co-Founder and Head of Research at Capstan Therapeutics
Livestream: https://mediasite.med.upenn.edu/mediasite/Play/07a7ce4466d441f98c2d7e470785a8f71d
11:00am
Student Poster Sessions - Alumni Judging Panel
12:30pm
Lunch
- Lunch and Student Organization Showcase for Alumni - BRB 14th Floor
- Lunch Pickups for Students, Faculty, and Staff - BRB 2nd Floor
- MSTP Reunion - Jordan Medical Education Center, Room 516
1:30pm
Career Short Talks for Students
- Industry/Big Pharma: Kathy Fernando, Former Senior Vice President and Global Head of Pfizer Ignite
- Industry/Biotech: Dylan Marchione, Principal Scientist, Clinical Biomarkers, Servier
- Government/Policy: Meredith Shaffer, Acting Deputy Director, Division of Intramural Research, NIAID
- Science Communication: Jamie Weaver, Principal Medical Writer with Ashfield MedComms, part of Inizio Medical
- Consulting: Adam Siebert, a Managing Director at L.E.K. Consulting in New York City
- Patent Law: Solymar Rolón-Martínez, Technical Specialist in Sterne Kessler’s Biotechnology and Chemical Practice Group
- College Teaching: Rishita Shah, Lecturer in Biology, Barnard College
- Academic Research: Todd Miano, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Livestream: https://mediasite.med.upenn.edu/mediasite/Play/62ae3947f4f14dec8772945a91b5cca71d
2:00pm
Career Paths Mentorship Program Presentation and Coffee Chat with Alumni
BRB 14th Floor
3:00pm
Speed Networking Tables for Alumni-Student Career Conversations
Friday, 10/10/25
Smilow Center for Translational Research, Rubenstein Auditorium (4:00pm - 6:00pm)
Livestream: https://mediasite.med.upenn.edu/mediasite/Play/82ff3c130824405ab29638bebab46d941d
4:25pm
Keynote Talk - "Translating Human Genetics for Drug Discovery"
- Introduction by Max Dudek, Genomics and Computational Biology Student
- Ellen Tsai, Head of Human Genetics at Biogen
5:20pm
Talk on State of Science - "Life Sciences Investment Thesis, Approach and Lessons Learned"
- Introduction by Hannah Gura, Neuroscience Graduate Student
- Adam Koppel, Partner at Bain Capital Life Sciences
Friday, 10/10/25
Jordan Medical Education Center Atrium (6:00pm - 7:30pm)
6:00pm