The Institute for Engineering and Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University are bringing together experts from industry, government, non-profits and academia to discuss foundational research, technology development and product commercialization toward creating an advanced biomanufacturing industry for the United States. Our invited speakers and panelists will discuss ongoing research in biofabrication and cell manufacturing, government funding and regulatory considerations for biomanufactured tissues and organs, and clinical implementation of regenerative medicine products.
Agenda
| Time | Session / Item | Speaker(s) / Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Sessions | ||
| 8:00 – 8:30 AM | Breakfast & Check-in | |
| 8:30 – 8:40 AM | Opening Remarks | George Christ and Barbara Boyan |
| 8:40 – 9:05 AM | Keynote #1 | Nikki Hastings, President, C'ville BioHub |
| 9:05 – 10:10 AM — Session 1: Building the Biomanufacturing Economy Chair/Moderator: Conaway Haskins (Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation) |
||
| 9:05 - 9:20 AM | Session 1 | John Newby (CEO, Virginia Bio) |
| 9:20 - 9:35 AM | Session 1 | Tai Mai (Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation) |
| 9:35 - 9:50 AM | Session 1 | Nicolai Shuman (Activation Capital) |
| 9:50 - 10:10 AM | Session 1 | Panel Discussion |
| 10:10 – 11:40 AM — Session 2: Challenges in Biomaterial Development Chair: Michael Mancini (Pascal Medical Corporation) |
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| 10:10 - 10:35 AM | Keynote #2 | Thomas Barker (UVA) |
| 10:35 - 10:50 AM | Session 2 | Elaine Horn-Ranney (CEO, Tympanogen) |
| 10:50 - 11:05 AM | Session 2 | George Christ (UVA) |
| 11:05 - 11:20 AM | Session 2 | Mike McClure (VCU, decellularized matrices) |
| 11:20 - 11:40 AM | Session 2 | Panel Discussion |
| 11:40 – 12:30 PM | Lunch | Engineering Research Building (ERB), Collaboration Hub |
| Afternoon Sessions | ||
| 12:35 – 1:05 PM — Session 3: Brain Inflammation and Sex Differences | ||
| 12:35 - 1:05 PM | Keynote #3 | Gretchen Neigh McCandles (VCU) |
| 1:05 – 2:25 PM — Session 4: Challenges in Cell and Gene Therapy Chair: Michael Floren (AlloSource) |
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| 1:05 - 1:20 PM | Session 4 | Tessa DesRochers (ARMI) |
| 1:20 - 1:35 PM | Session 4 | X. Lucas Lu (U Delaware) |
| 1:35 - 1:50 PM | Session 4 | Heather Branscome (ATCC) |
| 1:50 - 2:05 PM | Session 4 | Cath Bollard (Children's National Research Institute) |
| 2:05 - 2:25 PM | Session 4 | Panel Discussion |
| 2:25 – 3:35 PM — Session 5: Novel Therapeutics | ||
| 2:25 - 2:30 PM | Chair and Opening Comments | Markham Luke (FDA) |
| 2:30 - 2:45 PM | Session 5 | Josh Cohen (VCU) |
| 2:45 - 3:00 PM | Session 5 | Manoj Babu (Syngene) |
| 3:00 - 3:15 PM | Session 5 | Ellie Carrell (VCU) |
| 3:15 - 3:35 PM | Session 5 | Panel Discussion |
| 3:35 – 3:45 PM | Break | |
| 3:45 – 5:30 PM — Session 6: Biomanufacturing of Organoids and Multi-tissue Structures | ||
| 3:45 - 4:10 PM | Chair and Keynote #4 | Sharon Presnell (LifeNet Health) |
| 4:10 - 4:25 PM | Session 6 | Richard McFarland (Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute) |
| 4:25 - 4:40 PM | Session 6 | Jacob Flemming (Curi Bio) |
| 4:40 - 4:55 PM | Session 6 | Rebecca Pompano (UVA) |
| 4:55 - 5:10 PM | Session 6 | Ryan Purcell (VT-FBRI) |
| 5:10 - 5:30 PM | Session 6 | Panel Discussion |
| 5:30 – 6:30 PM | Poster Session & Happy Hour | Extended networking session |
| 6:30 – 6:40 PM | Closing Remarks & Poster Awards | George Christ, Rob Gourdie, Barbara Boyan |
Poster session winners
Lodging
301 W. Franklin St., Richmond, Virginia 23220
3 minute drive/4 minute walk to VCU Engineering Research Building
The VCU rate of $152/night is based on availability. Guests can email universityservices@gracereservations.com and mention the VCU College of Engineering Symposium to qualify for the group rate. Agents will always respond within 24 hours, typically within one hour.
For urgent requests, guests may call the direct line at (502) 234-9599 Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. EST.
101 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220
4 minute drive/5 minute walk to VCU Engineering Research Building
The VCU rate of $255 per night is based on availability, but not available on Friday and Saturdays. Guests may call the reservation line at (888) 918-1895 to check.
501 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
5 minute drive/16 minute walk to VCU Engineering Research Building
The VCU rate of $175 per night is based on availability. Guest may call (804) 344-4300 to make their reservation and will need to specify they are reserving under “Virginia Commonwealth University” not VCU. Only valet parking is offered, which ranges from $41-51 a day.
