This signature event will gather stakeholders within the life sciences from all across the greater Chicago area. It is a unique networking opportunity and will bring together researchers, entrepreneurs and industry professionals in order to create connections between these often segmented communities.
This event has ended.
Our 3nd Annual CHIentist: Connections Matter formal networking event will be held Sept. 28th from 6:00-8:30pm. This signature event will gather stakeholders within the life sciences from all across the greater Chicago area. It is a unique networking opportunity and will bring together researchers, entrepreneurs and industry professionals in order to create connections between these often segmented communities. The goals of this event are to:
- Provide an accessible platform for local researchers and professionals to network
- Foster cross-talk between professional niches
- Encourage communication between various sectors of the life sciences ecosystem
The agenda for the evening will include both structured ('speed') and freestyle networking, in addition to two short talks by prominent members of the Chicago Life Sciences Community. On top of that, our attendees will be able to visit the Icla da Silva Foundation booth during our networking reception, and learn about their mission and how to become bone marrow donors. Network and save lifes!
The program:
6:00 – Reception and informal networking
6:15 – Introduction and welcome (Chientist and mHUB)
6:25 - Terry Haid (Community Engagement Representative at The Icla da Silva Foundation)
6:30 – Keynote speaker - Tom Denison, co-founder and president Smart Health Ventures
7:00 – Structured Networking
8:15 – Closing remarks
Space is limited, if you can't attend, please cancel your RVSP or let us know.
Students and Postdocs: unfortunately, due to high demand, this RSVP doesn't guarantee a spot. We will let you know either way.
This event is free for all.
Beverages and appetizers will be provided.
About our Keynote Speaker:
Tom Denison's passion is mentoring, advising, funding and founding tech and biotech startups. He has engaged with 200+ startups, at all stages, from concept to exit. He is currently theCo-Founder and President of SmartHealth Activator. SmartHealth specializes in activating extraordinary biotechnology. Nestled at the doorstep of healthcare giants, including Abbott, AbbVie, Astellas, Baxter, Hollister, Horizon, Hospira, Medline, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Takeda, and Walgreens, SmartHealth provides direct access to customers, mentors, investors, co-working space, and seed funding.
About the Icla da Silva Foundation:
The Icla da Silva Foundation is the largest recruitment center for the Be the Match Registry in the United States. We recruit over 38,000 new potential bone marrow donors every year, with a strong focus on ethnically diverse communities. The Icla da Silva Foundation was established in 1992, in memory of a 13-year old Brazilian girl named Icla da Silva. 25 year later, her brother Airam is the foundation's President, and we havet representatives across the US and Puerto Rico with the mission of saving lives by recruiting bone marrow donors and providing support services to children and adults with leukemia and other diseases treatable by marrow transplants. As patients with ethnically diverse backgrounds face a greater challenge in finding a donor, we work closely with the Hispanic, African American, Asian and Native American communities to raise awareness about the need for a more diverse registry. 70% of patients do not have a fully matched donor in the family, so more people are needed to join the registry to help patients find matches and to save lives!
