Neural computation of space: From single cells to neural populations

Building 46, Singleton Auditorium

43 VASSAR ST, Cambridge, MA 02139

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. 

 Abstract: A key element of the mammalian position-coding circuit is the network of grid cells in medial entorhinal cortex – cells that are active when animals are at specific locations that tile environments in a periodic hexagonal pattern. I will discuss how recent technological developments allow principles underlying the collective dynamics of grid cells to be extracted in behaving rodents. First, I will show how the joint activity of grid cells operates on a low-dimensional manifold with the topology of a torus, irrespective of the animal´s behavior, across wake and sleep states. In developing rat pups, this toroidal topology of the spatial map appears abruptly in conjunction with internal cortical dynamics at postnatal day 10, before eyes and ear canals open and before upright walking, pointing to a preconfigured internal network origin of the dynamics. Second, I will show that the periodic locations represented by grid cells are not punctual but move along highly stereotypic spatial trajectories within individual 125-ms theta cycles, trajectories that linearly and unconditionally sweep outwards from the animal’s location into the ambient environment, alternating between left and right of the animal, independently of whether or not the animal ever visits places on those trajectories. The sweep-like dynamics of grid cells is controlled by an upstream population of internal direction cells in the parasubiculum, in which decoded direction alternates in synchrony with sweeps in grid cells. I will show that on top of the stereotyped default pattern of sweeps and direction signals, the signals are modulated in a behavior-dependent manner, with direction, frequency and width of the sweeps and direction signals directed in an attention-like manner to regions of interest.  Third, I will show that sweeps and internal direction signals are controlled further upstream by a population of conjunctive head direction × internal direction cells that align internal direction with head direction. These cells uniquely exhibit hemispheric lateralization: left hemisphere cells fire exclusively on rightward sweeps, while right hemisphere cells fire exclusively on leftward sweeps. We are testing whether these lateralized cell populations, by reciprocally inhibiting each other, are part of a cortical central pattern generator-like circuit that alternately biases rightward and leftward theta sweeps much like locomotion-controlling circuits in the spinal cord. Finally, I will show how, through modular organization, the low-dimensional grid map in the medial entorhinal cortex is transformed downstream, in the hippocampus, into a rich repertoire of independent place cell maps suitable for memory storage.

Bio: Edvard Moser is a Professor of Neuroscience and Scientific Director of the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience (KISN) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He is interested in neural network coding in the cortex, with particular emphasis on space, time and memory. His work, conducted in collaboration with May-Britt Moser since they started the NTNU lab in 1996, includes the Nobel-awarded discovery of grid cells. Moser’s current focus is on unravelling how neural microcircuits for space and time are organized at the neural network level, among large numbers of diverse neurons with known functional identity, a computational neuroscience endeavour significantly boosted by the technological development of Neuropixels probes and 2-photon miniscopes for freely-moving rodents - technologies that the Mosers have participated in developing.  

Edvard Moser received his PhD training at the University of Oslo under Per Andersen and postdoctoral training under Richard Morris at the University of Edinburgh and John O’Keefe at the University College of London. In 1996 the Mosers accepted faculty positions in psychology at NTNU. They founded the Centre for the Biology of Memory in 2002, the Kavli Institute in 2007, the Centre for Neural Computation in 2013, and the Centre for Algorithms in the Cortex in 2023, with funding from the Norwegian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence scheme. The Mosers have received numerous scientific awards, including the 2014 Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology.

Level Up Nanomedicine Development with High-Throughput Formulation Screening

With countless nanoparticle formulation options to explore, researchers need a way to quickly identify scalable nanomedicine formulations that deliver their payload efficiently and consistently. Traditional approaches are slow, resource-heavy, and often make it hard to see which candidates truly stand out. Using scalable, high-throughput tools from Unchained Labs such as the Sunny Suite, Nanoworx works with scientists to explore the broad design space of nanoparticle optimization, ensuring high precision and minimal human error throughout the formulation process.

In this GEN webinar, our expert speakers will show how Nanoworx combines technical expertise with scalable workflows to support the seamless development of nanomedicines from early discovery and design to large-scale production. During the webinar, you will learn how the company performs nanoparticle library production and screening with Sunscreen; fine-tuning and scaling with Sunshine; sample work-up with Big Tuna and batch production with Sunbather. Key takeaways include:

• integration of scalable manufacturing, precise liquid handling, and advanced analytics in a single pipeline

• lending expertise with infrastructure to support seamless nanomedicine development from concept to lead material production

• minimizing development risks: reducing time to market while ensuring consistent quality

A live Q&A session will follow the presentation, offering you a chance to pose questions to our expert panelists.

Bridging Infection and Artificial Intelligence

The AI4ID symposium will convene a dynamic mix of leading experts in infectious diseases and artificial intelligence, fostering a unique environment for creative, cross-disciplinary collaboration. The central goal is to think creatively about how cutting-edge AI technologies can be harnessed to solve the most pressing challenges in infection research. This year's symposium will be structured across three key sessions: AI at the clinical interface, AI for biological discovery, and AI for therapeutic discovery.

This inaugural symposium is jointly hosted by the Center for Integrated Solutions for Infectious Diseases and the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Center and will be in-person only at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, MA.

Registration deadline: Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Pre-symposium Primers

We are hosting two pre-symposium primers on Tuesday, January 27th, AI101 and ID101, to facilitate understanding, discussions and collaborations at the symposium. Details for coming soon.

Please use this form to submit abstracts for a poster presentation. Abstracts will be evaluated on a rolling basis. Presenters will be notified of selection by January 6, 2026.

If you submit an abstract, be sure to also register for the symposium using this Eventbrite page.

Contact
If you have any questions, please contact cisid@broadinstitute.org or ericandwendyschmidtcenter@broadinstitute.org

Organizing Committee
Deborah Hung, Caroline Uhler, Orr Ashenberg, Ishay Ben-Zion, Suus Bergenhenegouwen, Lisa Cosimi, Yasha Ektefai, Michael Farzan, Jorge Fortin, Yonatan Grad, Sam Hwang, Roy Kishony, Herui Liao, Tami Lieberman, Jonathan Livny, Samantha Miranda, Joshua Pickard, Chris Smillie, Paul Tyman, Sharon Wong

Uniting Gene and Cell Therapy Experts

December 11, 2025

The Gene and Cell Therapy Institute (GCTI)'s annual research symposium stands as a global hub, drawing in esteemed researchers, accomplished scientists, and industry professionals from across the globe. Together, they share a common goal of disseminating knowledge, unveiling cutting-edge breakthroughs, and envisioning the transformative potential within the realm of gene and cell therapy.

What sets the symposium apart is its commitment to cultivating a unique and collaborative environment. The 2025 event (December 11-12) will feature keynote speakers Carl H. June, MD and David R. Liu, PhD and engaging discussions by leading pioneers in gene and cell therapy research, as well as plentiful opportunities for networking and collaboration among attendees.

The 2025 Hockfield Cancer Research Prize

IN CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DAVID BALTIMORE 

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2025

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Memorial Program

2:00-3:30 PM

Broad Institute, Merkin Building

415 Main Street

Refreshments to follow in the Broad Institute lobby.

Memorial Dinner and Presentation of the Susan Hockfield Cancer Research Prize

4:30-7:00 PM

4:30 PM Welcome Reception

5:00 PM Dinner and Program

Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research
Luria Auditorium
500 Main Street

In Science Policy Roundtable #3, we convene distinguished leaders from both U.S. and international governments to examine the evolving role of the state in shaping national science and technology enterprises. This talk will offer a unique comparative perspective as we draw on Dr. Kreibich’s extensive diplomatic experience within Germany’s Federal Foreign Office and the German Missions to the United States, Mr. Koizumi’s tenure as Assistant Director for Federal R&D at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, as well as Dr. Fadel’s background across government, industry, foundations, and academia. Together, our speakers will explore topics such as federal funding mechanisms for public research, the role of diplomatic missions in advancing national technology priorities, and how leading technology nations design and implement their R&D strategies.

Date: December 5 (Friday), 12-1:30pm

Location: in-person at MIT, announced after RSVP; 

Lunch will be provided for in-person participants. We will consider a Zoom/virtual option given sufficient interest.

Sign-up Form: https://forms.gle/UqZgmMUyDDuUYp1q8 

Speakers: 

Speakers (See detailed bio attached):

Dr. Sonja Kreibich, Consul General of the Federal republic of Germany to the New England States

Kei Koizumi, former Principal Deputy Director for Science, Society, and Policy, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

Moderator: Dr. Tarek Fadel, Director of Strategic Alliances at Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT

34th Annual Irwin M. Arias Symposium

The first Irwin M. Arias, M.D. Symposium was held in 1991, and the theme of the event was – as it remains today – Bridging Basic Science and Liver Disease.

This unique one-day program brings together hundreds of leading biomedical scientists and physicians from across the globe and is designed to bridge the remarkable advances in basic biology and engineering with the understanding of liver diseases and their treatment. Research presented over the past 34 years has led to advances in the diagnosis and treatment of virtually all liver diseases in children and adults.

With plenary talks from renowned researchers and a collection of three-minute micro talks delivered by trainee scientists, the Arias Symposium is a model in ‘bridging’ between the academic, industrial, and clinical research communities – even across disciplines.

The 2025 symposium will be offered both in-person and virtually. In-person attendees will benefit from a poster session and networking opportunities with plenary speakers and other attendees. Breakfast, lunch, and a networking reception will also be provided to in-person attendees.

We welcome participation from researchers at every stage of their careers, and invite them to share perspectives from their academic, industrial, and clinical research settings. Trainees who are interested in presenting a micro-talk (in-person or virtually) or poster (in-person only) should submit an abstract with their registration. The deadline to submit an abstract is October 31, 2025.

For queries related to Arias Symposium corporate sponsorship, please contact Heidi Daniels, HDaniels@liverfoundation.org.

18th Annual BIDMC Cancer Center Symposium

Please join us for the 18th Annual BIDMC Cancer Center Symposium on Friday, November 21st, 2025 from 9 AM - 5 PM. Participate in a day of innovation, collaboration, and inspiration as we explore this year’s theme: Arc of Progress—From Scientific Discovery to Patient-Centered Care. The program will feature keynote speakers, expert panel discussions, and presentations showcasing cutting-edge research and advances in cancer care. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with clinicians, researchers, and community partners dedicated to shaping the future of cancer therapeutics, immuno-oncology, and more.

For the first time, this year's Symposium will include a poster session showcasing emerging trends across the cancer research landscape. Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments will be served. Complimentary cocktail hour will begin at 4 PM. The symposium will be in-person at the Harvard Medical School Joseph B Martin Conference Center.

For questions, please contact BIDMC-CancerCenter@bidmc.harvard.edu.

Step into the future of healthcare, where the brightest minds from MIT, imec, and across the innovation ecosystem unite to accelerate progress in medicine and human health. This event brings together visionaries, clinicians, researchers, and venture leaders for a day of transformative ideas, actionable insights, and powerful connections.

Experience a program packed with thought-provoking keynotes, interactive panels, and rapid-fire project pitches. Dive deep into the translation pathway—from groundbreaking research to commercialization and clinical deployment—and discover how public funding, venturing, AI and patient-focused implementation are shaping the next era of personalized healthcare.

Who should attend

Faculty and researchers; clinical and hospital innovation leaders; industry R&D and partnership leads; investors and venture builders; federal, state, and nonprofit funders.

Why attend

• See the whole translation pathway - from publicly funded research to commercialization and clinical deployment. Panels span venturing, AI and patient‑focused implementation.

• Spot emerging opportunities - short lightning talks from pioneering projects showcase where collaboration can drive rapid progress.

Agenda at-a-glance

9:30 AM: Arrival & Registration

10:00 AM – 12 PM

• Welcome & Introduction by MIT and imec

• Hear from world-leading clinicians in keynote and panel discussions

12:00 PM: Networking Lunch

1:00 – 3:30 PM

• Panel discussions focused on creating impact by venturing pathways from R&D to commercialization 

3:30 PM: Coffee Break

3:30-5:00 PM

• Lightning Talks and pitches from pioneering projects, plus learn about advancements in AI for health devices

• Concluding Remarks 

NSF I-Corps Short Course: AI + Cancer Care

Explore how your research can transform the fight against cancer

DEADLINE IS NOV 3rd (LIMITED CAPACITY, FIRST COME , FIRST SERVE)

AI/ML powered research areas may include: Generative Biology, Bioanalytical Pipelines, Therapeutic Manufacturing, Nanoparticle & RNA Design, Patient Matching & Digital Biomarkers, Imaging, Digital Twins and Predictive Toxicology.

How it works:

The interactive course begins with a virtual evening kickoff workshop where teams learn how to:

• Identify their top customer segments

• Develop hypotheses about the value proposition they offer each segment

• Find and effectively interview potential customers about their problems/needs Over the next four weeks, teams will speak with at least 12 potential customers.

We will host two practitioner’s panels, one with industry leaders and other with peers who are in the process of commercializing technologies.

The program wraps-up with a final virtual evening workshop where teams present their findings, get more coaching, and learn about progressing their ideas

The Mildred S. Dresselhaus Lecture Series

The Dresselhaus Lecture series is named in honor of Mildred "Millie" Dresselhaus, a beloved MIT professor whose research helped unlock the mysteries of carbon, the most fundamental of organic elements—earning her the nickname “queen of carbon science.” This annual event recognizes a significant figure in science and engineering from anywhere in the world whose leadership and impact echo Millie’s life, accomplishments, and values.

Jennifer Lewis

Jianmin Yu Professor of Arts and Sciences, and the Wyss Professor for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University

DATE: Monday, November 3, 2025
TIME: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET, reception to follow
LOCATION: MIT Building 10 Room 250

RSVP to attend

ABOUT JENNIFER LEWIS

Jennifer A. Lewis is the Jianmin Yu Professor of Arts and Sciences, the Wyss Professor for Biologically Inspired Engineering in the Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, a core faculty member of the Wyss Institute, Bioengineering Chair, and MRSEC Director at Harvard University. Her research focuses on the digital manufacturing of functional, structural, and biological materials. Multiple startups are commercializing technology from her lab ranging from 3D printed electronics to kidney therapeutics. She is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Inventors, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Lewis has received numerous awards for her work, including the NAS James Prize for Science and Technology Integration.

Chair(s): Mitra Mosharraf

Speaker(s): Patrick Lim Soo,   Jeffrey Clogston

This webinar is a joint collaboration with the International Consortium for Innovation and Quality in Pharmaceutical Development (About Us)  and specifically with the IQ Consortium Nanomaterial and Nanotechnology Working Group. The consortium is made up of 50+ member companies and their employees.

Nanomedicine drug products have reached an unprecedented high in terms of global commercial acceptance and media exposure with the approvals of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. We examine the current state of the art for nanomedicine technologies as applied for pharmaceutical products and compare those with industry trends. We find that 1) industry companies continue to push the envelope in terms of new technologies for characterizing their specific drug products, 2) new analytical technologies continue to be utilized by industry to characterize the increasingly complex nanomedicine drug products and 3) alignment and communication are key between industry and regulatory authorities to better understand the regulatory filings that are being submitted. There are many CMC challenges that a company must overcome to successfully file a nanomedicine drug product. We propose a complimentary guide providing knowledge on specific CMC issues such as quality attributes, physicochemical characterization methods, excipients, and stability.

Nanomedicine & Drug Delivery Symposium (NanoDDS 2025)

Nanomedicine & Drug Delivery Symposium (NanoDDS 2025) will take place on October 27–28, 2025, at the Houston Methodist Research Institute in the Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas and is co-chaired this year by Dr. Biana Godin, Dr. Francesca Taraballi and Dr. Alessandro Grattoni. NanoDDS is the first and one of the most important conferences in nanomedicine. Established over twenty years ago by Drs. Kabanov and Kataoka, it continues to be a premier forum for showcasing cutting-edge research and emerging technologies in drug delivery systems.

Building on its strong legacy, NanoDDS 2025 will bring together a multidisciplinary community of global experts, scientists, clinicians, and industry partners to foster collaboration and highlight the significant advancements in nanomedicine and drug delivery systems. This conference follows Houston Methodist’s tradition of hosting prestigious, highly visible symposia.

The objectives of the Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery Symposium are to discuss groundbreaking discoveries and developments in nanomedicine and drug/nucleic acid delivery; highlight clinical developments and opportunities for advancing nanomedicine technology to the marketplace; and engage and educate students, postdoctoral trainees and scientists locally, nationally and globally.

Co-sponsored by The George and Angelina Kostas Research Center for Cardiovascular Nanomedicine 

Celebrating the Impact of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology! 

The Nano Summit is MIT.nano's flagship conference, showcasing groundbreaking advancements in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The conference is ideal for researchers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and students interested in the latest developments in cutting-edge research, emerging technologies, and real-world applications.

AI has transformed many areas of life in the last decade, yet the impact of these technologies on patient care is still limited. Building on the combined expertise of MIT and MGB in AI and clinical practice, the MIT-MGB AI Cures Conference showcases ongoing collaborative projects in clinical AI, highlighting cutting-edge research and their impact on patient care. Equally important is the process for collecting the data required to train clinical AI algorithms, with a focus on privacy, diversity, and quality. Our sincere hope is that this conference will help foster new MIT-MGB collaborations and inform the public about our collective efforts to improve patient care.

2025 Agenda

8:00AM

Pre-Conference Tutorial: Intro to Generative AI for Healthcare

Subject to fee | Register now 

Regina Barzilay (MIT)

8:30AM

Breakfast & Check-In

9:00AM

Opening Remarks

Sally Kornbluth, President (MIT)

Anne Klibanski, CEO and President (MGB)

9:15AM

Keynote​

John Halamka, President (Mayo Clinic Platform)

10:00AM

Break​

10:15AM

Session I: How Can AI Transform Healthcare? Real-World Examples 

Natalia Rost (MGB)

Bharti Khurana (MGB)

Elazer Edelman (MIT)

Dina Katabi (MIT)

11:15AM

Playbook for Implementing AI in Clinical Care (SYBIL)

Lecia Sequist, Workshop Chair (MGB)

Raymond Osarogiagbon (Baptist Memorial Healthcare)

William Mayfield (WellStar Health System)

Mary Pasquinelli (UI Health)

12:15PM

Lunch & Poster Presentations​
 

1:20PM

Optimizing AI Development with Data and Intellectual Sharing

Shawn Murphy (MGB)

1:25PM

RFP Announcement & Closing Remarks

Paul Anderson (MGB)

Regina Barzilay (MIT)

The potential of AI to transform health care — through the work of both organizational leaders and medical professionals — is increasingly evident as more real-world clinical applications emerge.

In this accessible and clinician-focused tutorial, MIT Professor Regina Barzilay introduces the fundamentals of generative AI and its transformative applications in healthcare. Designed for healthcare professionals with no prior technical background, this session breaks down how models like ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs) work, what they can (and can’t) do, and how they are already being used in clinical practice, from drafting patient notes to supporting clinical decision-making.

Participants will learn:

• Core concepts behind generative AI and LLMs

• Examples of real-world use cases in clinical settings

• Opportunities and limitations of these tools in daily practice

• How to critically evaluate AI-generated output

• Ethical considerations and potential challenges in medical applications

Whether you're curious about AI's potential or looking to responsibly integrate it into your work, this session offers a practical, clinician-oriented overview to help you engage with these emerging tools confidently and thoughtfully.

Time & Location

Sep 22, 2025, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Cambridge, 50 Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA

Please visit the following page for the most up-to-date information: https://www.nanomedicine.mit.edu/bioxai2025

Join fellow life science, computer science, engineering, and medical grad students and postdocs for a cross-school, cross discipline evening of BIOxAI community and informal pitch sharing hosted by MIT Hacking Medicine, the MIT Koch Institute, and the MIT Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Lab. 

Pitch your research or startup idea, meet with NSF and industry startup supporters, talk to founders about their lab to market journey, and learn about resources to help you get started and funded – or just come and pitch yourself as a candidate to join a team or serve as a co-founder. Then stay for the reception and dinner. 

This is the event for you if you are interested in:

• Learning about BIOxAI research to startup pathways

• Pitching your BIOxAI idea or yourself (max 2 min)

• Recruiting high impact team members or a co-founder

• Joining an informal cross-discipline reception

Attendance is limited with a preference for those pitching their AIxBIO ideas, startups, team needs, or themselves.

Please apply if you are interested in attending, pitching, or both! Applications will close at 5 PM on September 10th, 2025.

This is the second edition of the Brookline Ave BIO Meetup. At the first meetup, we had about 100 people - a good mix of academics and industry folks and everyone from grad students to CEOs. We had a nice showing from the local Fenway biotech and investor crowd and people from all over the Longwood Medical Area (BIDMC, HMS, DFCI, BCH, Joslin, Wyss, BU, and BWH).

​​Come out to talk about science, medicine, business, entrepreneurship, collaboration, and the like. This is an informal event so just show up and introduce yourself. I'll likely have name tags but no other official programming.

​The event is not sponsored - you are responsible for buying your own drinks and you can get food from Time Out if you like.

​​Target Audience:

• ​​Academic researchers and clinicians

• ​​Biopharma

• ​​Tech Transfer

• ​​Investors, lawyers, business people

• ​​Anyone interested in commercializing science or related topics

Faculty Job Search Series: STEM Research Statements Faculty Panel

By Career Advising & Professional Development (CAPD)

What makes a STEM research statement successful? Hear from recent MIT alumni and current MIT faculty about their experiences writing research statements and/or evaluating them as members of a search committee. Get an expert perspective on mistakes to avoid, where to focus, and what you can leave out. For those on the faculty job search, this panel will be particularly useful as you prepare and refine your application materials. Open to MIT graduate students, postdocs and alumni.

Registration for this event is required via Handshake.

The mRNA field is on the cusp of revolutionary change, with cancer vaccines, in vivo cell engineering and gene editing technologies unleashing the next advancements of therapeutic candidates and developmental progress towards clinical and commercial approval.

To shine light on emerging areas and the latest progress, the 5th mRNA-Based Therapeutics Summit returns to Boston as the world's largest, end-to-end mRNA conference, gathering 320+ global stakeholders, sharing exclusive scientific and strategic insights from the biggest and newest players in the mRNA, Circular RNA & Self-Amplifying RNA fields including Moderna, Pfizer, BioNTech, Grann Pharmaceuticals, Celestial Therapeutics, Byterna Therapeutics and more.

Discover the realms of new infectious disease platforms, combating oncological targets and cell therapies across 4 dedicated tracks of content in Discovery, Pre-Clinical Development, Clinical Development and, Manufacturing & CMC as your one-stop-shop scientific content and partnering forum to aid the progress of pipelines in 2025 towards the clinic and ultimately patients in need.

Neuroblox Invited Talks & Discussions: New Ideas in Translational Neuroscience

Building 32, 141

32 VASSAR ST, Cambridge, MA 02139

9:00 am

Michael Breakspear, M.D. Ph.D. 

Neural field models suggest shared dynamics in brain and generative AI

10:00 am

Dost Öngür, M.D. Ph.D.

Current status of methods for examining the impact of pharmacologic interventions on brain function

11:00 am

Doug Rothman, Ph.D.

Towards developing a combined metabolic/neurotransmitter model for understanding the relationship between glutamate and GABA neurotransmitter fluxes and neuromodulator dopamine activity

12:00 pm

Michael J Frank, Ph.D.

Linking levels of analysis from brain to behavior in computational modeling

Antibody Drug Conjugates: Targeted Cancer Therapies at the Intersection of Chemistry, Biology, and Engineering

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. 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. 

Agenda

9:00 a.m. - 9:10 a.m. Opening remarks

Matthew Vander Heiden 
Director, MIT Koch Institute 

9:10 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Keynote 

Introduction: Jessica Stark, MIT Koch Institute 

Carolyn Bertozzi 
Stanford University 
Topic: Antibody drug conjugate biological chemistry  

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 pmSession One  

Peter Senter
Pfizer
Topic: Antibody drug conjugate history 

Gerold Meinhardt
Daiichi Sankyo
Topic: Enhertu

Alison Betts
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Topic: Antibody drug conjugate quantitative systems pharmacology 

Tim Lowinger
Mersana Therapeutics
Topic: Immunostimulatory antibody drug conjugates  

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.Lunch Break

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.Session Two: Short Presentations

Laurie Boyer
MIT Koch Institute
Topic: Lysosome morphology as predictor of drug efficacy

Dane Wittrup
MIT Koch Institute
Topic: Noncovalent capture antibody drug conjugates  

Jeremiah Johnson
MIT Koch Institute
Topic: Antibody-polymer conjugates 

Dasa Lipovsek
Aktis Oncology
Topic: Radioligand therapy 

2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.Session Three  

Greg Thurber
University of Michigan
Topic: Strategies for uniform antibody drug conjugate penetration 

Puja Sapra
AstraZeneca
Topic: Antibody drug conjugate payloads and linker chemistry 

2025 Marble Center poster symposium

Tuesday May 20th , Luria Auditorium

The poster symposium will convene members of the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and broader MIT community working on nano- and precision based approaches for the early detection and treatment of cancer. The event will be held at the Koch Institute Luria Auditorium on May 20, 3:30-5:30pm. This will be an in-person only event, and will be an excellent opportunity to highlight collaborative projects in this area and get feedback from faculty and industry members.

Rebecca Stone has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Judith Ann Lippard Memorial Lectureship. She will present her lecture, The Science Fiction of Ovarian Cancer: What We Got Wrong--and Why It Matters, to the MIT and Koch Institute communities in the Luria Auditorium (76-156) on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 12:00-1:30 p.m.

Dr. Stone is associate professor and director of gynecologic oncology for Johns Hopkins. She holds a joint appointment in the Armstrong Institute as the lead for its surgical pathways/enhanced recovery after surgery program - an innovative, multidisciplinary program that standardizes perioperative care to improve quality and cost for thousands of patients annually. Dr. Stone also serves as co-director of the Fertility Preservation Center, pioneering novel surgical interventions to help people fulfill their goals of parenthood in the face of cancer. Accordingly, her research portfolio spans clinical, quality improvement, and basic science investigation.  She has been recognized for her dedication to patient care and teaching over the years, including being named Physician of the Year at Johns Hopkins in 2023 and being inducted into the School of Medicine Distinguished Teaching Society in 2022. Besides continuing to care for many patients and their families - this is her first love - she is devoted to ensuring that ovarian cancer prevention becomes a standard of care that all know about and can choose. Dr. Stone champions this mission in the U.S. with support from the Break Through Cancer and Gray Foundations and helps lead an international taskforce to decrease the global burden of ovarian cancer through prevention.

Harnessing biological insights to advance cancer nanomedicine

Joelle Straehla, MD

Seattle Children's Hospital

Dr. Joelle Straehla (formerly Hammond Lab and Koch Institute Clinical Investigator) will be giving a talk at the upcoming "Doctor is Leaving" Seminar on Tuesday April 8 from 12-1PM in Luria Auditorium. Joelle is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist and recently completed her tenure in the Clinical Investigator Program at the Koch Institute before moving her laboratory to Seattle Children's Hospital in the fall of 2024. She will be returning from Seattle to share the progress from her group while at MIT and exciting next steps in her talk entitled "Harnessing biological insights to advance cancer nanomedicine".

Join us at MIT’s Koch Institute for a celebration of the winners of the 2025 Image Awards—and their spectacular images of life sciences and biomedical research from across the Institute.

The reception will feature puzzles and a chance to mingle with the 2025 winning image creators.

5:00 p.m. Doors open and Unveiling Images
5:30 p.m. Award ceremony and lightning talks with image creators in Luria Auditorium
7:00 p.m. Reception in the KI Public Galleries

Can't attend in person? Register to attend the award ceremony on Zoom.