9:00-10:00 a.m.

Registration and breakfast

Morning Program: 50th Anniversary

10:00-10:10 a.m.

Hazel Sive, PhD
Dean, College of Science
Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Welcome Remarks

10:10-10:20 a.m.

Reflections from Eliot Barnett

10:20-10:50 a.m.

Barry L. Karger, PhD
Founding Director, Barnett Institute of Chemical & Biological Analysis and James L. Waters Chair and Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Northeastern University
Boston, MA

The Barnett Institute: 50 Years

In September 1973, the Institute of Chemical Analysis, Applications and Forensic Science was established with a grant from the US Department of Justice. In 1983, the name was changed to the Barnett Institute with the generous gift of Lou and Madlyn Barnett. Over the 50 years to today, the institute has been a major research center in the field of analytical chemistry. Our alumni have held major positions in academia and industry, especially pharmaceutics and biotechnology. In this presentation, we shall highlight some of the advances that have occurred over the 50 years. We will emphasize what approaches led to the international reputation of the institute and how these approaches will be important for young scientists as they develop their careers. Finally, we shall suggest future directions for the Barnett Institute in this exciting time for science.

10:50-11:20 a.m.

Olga Vitek, PhD
Director, Barnett Institute for Chemical & Biological Analysis, Raymond Bradford Bradstreet Professor, Khoury College of Computer Sciences,
Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Barnett Institute: The Next 50 Years

50 years ago Barnett Institute became a center of research innovation at Northeastern University, making major contributions in chemical and biological analysis, working in collaboration with academia and industry, and training outstanding scientists. It is the goal of the current institute members to continue this legacy, and lead the scientific discovery in the modern interdisciplinary and fast-paced scientific environment. This presentation will highlight the current achievements of the Institute and the opportunities for future leadership in research, and will imagine what Barnett Institute will look like 50 years from today.

11:20-11:50 a.m.

Jonathan Bones, PhD
Principal Investigator,
Characterization and Comparability Group
NIBRT
Ireland

‘Kargerisms’: Molecules, Measurements, Meaning.

Of the many different ‘Kargerisms’ that I’ve heard over the years, even today, one of Barry’s favourites is a constant reminder of his 3M’s of analytical chemistry: molecules, measurements and meaning. In a time when there is chatter in the field on its own future direction and what it should call itself, Prof Karger’s 3M’s catchphrase seems even more appropriate. Reflecting on this particular Kargerism, the impact of the Barnett Institute experience on my own research journey will be presented. Alongside this, the application of how Barry’s 3M’s has helped in the development and expansion of activities within my role in the area of analytical biotechnology at the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training in Dublin, Ireland, will also be discussed.

11:50 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

David Luzzi, PhD
Senior Vice Provost of Research &
Vice President of the Innovation Campus
Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Welcome remarks

12:00-1:15 p.m.

Lunch and optional tour of EXP

Afternoon Program: 50th Anniversary

1:15-1:45 p.m.

Jared Auclair, PhD
Interim Dean, College of Professional Studies
Vice Provost Research Economic Development
Director of Bioinnovation
Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Driving Innovation: Exploring the Nexus of Biotechnology, COVID Testing, and Cutting-Edge Technology at Northeastern’s Biopharmaceutical Analysis and Training Laboratory (BATL) and Life Sciences Testing Center (LSTC)

The greater Boston area is one of the leading Biotechnology hubs of the world, which presents several opportunities in training, research, and the intersection of both research and training. In this presentation, BATL’s workforce development and regulatory capacity building programs will be discussed as well as the regulatory science research to support innovation in chemistry, manufacturing and control (CMC). This will be linked to the work of the LSTC and its clinical capabilities and work conducted during the COVID pandemic. Lastly, we will explore the opportunities of AI and biotechnology, both product and process improvements.

1:45-2:15 p.m.

Rohin Mhatre, PhD
Executive Vice President & Chief Technical Operations Officer
FogPharma
Cambridge, MA

Advancements in Bio-Manufacturing: A State-of-the-Art Overview

Bio-manufacturing has witnessed remarkable progress in recent years, marked by significant strides in enhancing process yields, implementing real-time process monitoring, and leveraging digital tools for predicting process performance.

This presentation will cover the latest advancements in bio-manufacturing technologies and methodologies along with the integration of advanced process monitoring tools that offer real-time insights into process performance, enabling timely adjustments and quality control. In addition, the utilization of digital tools such as machine learning algorithms and computational models to forecast process outcomes will also be discussed.

These advancements collectively represent the cutting-edge of bio-manufacturing, driving efficiency, scalability, and sustainability in the production of biologics.

2:15-3:00 p.m.

Laurent Audoly
Senior Advisor, Institute for Experiential AI
Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Panel: Drug Discovery and AI

Moderator: Laurent Audoly, Senior Advisor, Institute for Experiential AI

Panelists:

• Michael Crackower, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Ventus Therapeutics
• Wengong Jin, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Broad Institute
• Anna Marie Wagner, MBA, SVP, Head of AI and Head of Corporate Development, Ginkgo Bioworks

3:00-3:30 p.m.

Nikolai Slavov, PhD
Director, Single-Cell Proteomics Center
Associate Professor, Bioengineering
Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Uncovering the secrets of the human proteome

The vastness and complexity of the human proteome have hampered. New mass spectrometry technologies are transcending those limitations and allowing for large gains in sensitivity, sequence coverage, spatial and temporal resolution. I will discuss the conceptual drivers of this progress and provide examples of how it will advance our understanding of the human proteome and enable better therapeutics.

3:30-4:00 p.m.

Coffee Break

Karger Medal Celebration

4:00-5:15 p.m.

Jennifer Van Eyk, PhD
Professor and Director
Basic Science Research in the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center Cardiology
Cedars-Sinai
Los Angeles, CA

Karger Medal Distinguished Lecture and Q&A

The Two Sides of Precision Medicine: Proteomic Enablement of Biomarkers and Therapeutics

Underlying precision medicine is the concept that an individual’s Omic signature (including the proteome) will provide a physician with clinically actionable diagnosis and a subsequent mechanistic therapeutic route. This requires i) having an array of mechanistic therapies for each person’s disease state and ii) a means to diagnosis (identify) which therapy (or combination) will be appropriate for a particular person. Proteomics has played a role in discovery and defining potential mechanistic routes, but it is now time to move into implementation. We will discuss the progress in heart disease and cancer focusing on how technology is now allowing scalable robust protein measurements that enables translation. The hope remains to drive democratize of precision medicine yet, are these concepts at odds?

5:15-6:00 p.m.

Cocktail hour, networking, and poster viewing

We extend our deepest gratitude to the following sponsors whose generous support has made this event possible:

Barry L. Karger Medal in Bioanalytical Chemistry Fund
The Barry L. Karger Medal in Bioanalytical Chemistry Fund is dedicated to recognizing excellence in the field and who has contributed significantly to the development of new analytical methods using bioanalytical techniques or a field relevant to research at the Barnett Institute Their commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and innovation is invaluable.

Douglas Devivo, PhD ’70
Dr. Devivo, an alumnus of our institution, has graciously provided the funding for this event to help us celebrate both the Institute and Dr. Karger incredible and illustrious career. Dr. Devivo’s dedication to education and research continues to inspire us all.

We sincerely appreciate their support and belief in our mission.