From Discovery to Impact: The UVA Alumni Biotech Summit

The UVA Alumni Biotech Mini Summit brings together Hoos across the biotechnology and life sciences spectrum—from research and commercialization to startups and established organizations—to celebrate progress, strengthen connections, and accelerate impact. As Central Virginia and Charlottesville emerge as a growing biotech corridor fueled by UVA and regional partnerships, this summit offers alumni a timely opportunity to engage as innovators, collaborators, mentors, and ambassadors within the expanding UVA biotech ecosystem.

Register Today!

What You’ll Gain from the Summit

• Celebrate Innovation & Impact
  Experience the momentum of UVA alumni who are driving breakthroughs, launching emerging companies, and leading across the Charlottesville biotech ecosystem.
• Expand Your Network with Purpose
  Build meaningful professional and entrepreneurial connections through curated opportunities designed to spark collaboration and long-term partnerships.
• Gain Actionable Industry Insights
  Hear timely perspectives on biotech markets, commercialization strategies, and workforce trends to help you navigate what’s next and seize new opportunities.
• Strengthen Your UVA Connection
  Engage with fellow alumni across career stages—sharing stories, mentorship, and a commitment to UVA values that foster lasting community and belonging.

Program

12–1 p.m.

Registration, Lunch, Networking, Exhibit Tables
After registering, attendees are invited to enjoy a complimentary lunch, network with fellow Hoos and learn more from our partners.

1–2 p.m.

Keynote

Welcome & Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Lily West (Darden ’12; President & CEO, UVA Alumni Association) and Nikki Hastings (Engr ’09, President, CvilleBioHub) will open the summit with a special welcome of keynote speaker Mark Esser (Med ’97, CSO and Head of the Manning Institute of Biotechnology) who will share how UVA is accelerating the journey from scientific discovery to real-world biotech impact—transforming breakthrough research into startups, therapies, and opportunities for alumni to help shape the future of innovation.

2–2:15 p.m.

Networking Break

2:15–3 p.m.

From Lab to Launch: Building Biotech Impact in Charlottesville
Charlottesville’s biotech ecosystem is powered by collaboration across research, education, entrepreneurship, and industry. This panel explores how scientific breakthroughs at UVA translate into real-world impact—highlighting the critical inflection points, from proof-of-concept to product development, that determine whether an idea becomes a viable venture or reaches patients and markets. Panelists will also discuss the growing and diverse professional roles that power Charlottesville’s biotech ecosystem, from academic researchers and tech transfer leaders to startup founders, workforce development partners, and industry executives. Finally, the conversation will examine how collaboration among the university, educators, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry partners is helping position Charlottesville as a hub where biotech ideas don’t just emerge—they scale and create lasting regional impact.

3–3:45 p.m.

Biotech Connect: Career Pathways, Mentorship & Alumni Roundtables
Sponsored by the Alumni Professional Networks (APN) and the Virginia Alumni Mentoring (VAM) platform, this interactive session brings together alumni, students, and biotech professionals to explore career pathways, mentorship, and opportunities within Central Virginia’s growing biotech ecosystem.

The session features speed networking–style rotating roundtables, where participants move between topic-based tables to engage in small-group discussions with peers and professionals. Conversations will explore topics such as breaking into biotech, careers beyond the lab, entrepreneurship, the Charlottesville biotech community, and mentorship.

Designed to spark conversation and connection, this session helps participants expand their networks, strengthen alumni relationships, and build connections that can lead to mentorship, career insight, and future opportunity.

3:45–4 p.m.

Networking Break

4–4:45 p.m.

From Discovery to Startup: UVA Biotech Showcase
This panel brings together innovative UVA alumni who are translating breakthrough science into real-world biotech ventures. Featuring founders and innovators like Rachelle Turiello (Grad ’24; CEO & Co-founder, Avant Genomics), who is advancing liquid biopsy technologies for early cancer detection; Bryan Berger (UVA professor; Innovator of the Year, Founder & Chief Science Officer, Lytos Technologies), whose work focuses on sustainable biotech solutions for food and environmental health; and Miles Lanham (Engr ’27, Founder at Métopi), an emerging founder actively building and pitching within the biotech startup ecosystem, this conversation will explore the journey from academic discovery to commercialization. In partnership with CAV Angels, the session will highlight the full spectrum of the startup lifecycle—from early research and venture formation to fundraising and growth—offering an inside look at how UVA innovators are bringing biotech breakthroughs to market.

4:45–5 p.m.

Closing Remarks
Rich Chylla, Executive Director of UVA’s Licensing & Ventures Group (LVG), will offer closing reflections on how UVA research becomes real-world impact. He’ll highlight how the LVG team helps transform discoveries into biotech startups, partnerships, and innovations that are shaping the future of health and life sciences.

5–6:30 p.m.

Innovation & Connection: Networking Reception with Alumni Professional Networks
Connect with fellow alumni over conversation and cocktails while exploring ways to engage with Alumni Professional Networks. Sponsored by the Entrepreneurship Network and the newly formed Healthcare & Life Science Network, this reception brings together alumni passionate about innovation, startups, and the future of health and biotech.

Register Today!