Science on Tap
2026-01-26 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Ravenna Third Place – Cafe Arta, 6504 20th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA, 98115, United States
Science on Tap is an evening where anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology in a relaxed atmosphere. Meetings usually last about one to two hours. The speaker gives a short talk about his or her area of interest, followed time for small-group discussions.

Winter 2026 Nature and Health Community Dinner
2026-02-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Fremont Brewing, 1050 N 34th Street, Seattle, WA, 98103, United States
About Our Community Dinners

Our quarterly community dinners welcome anyone with a curiosity about expanding access to green space to support health and well-being, environmental and health equity, people-nature reciprocity, and climate change resilience. Students, professionals, and community members from many different disciplines come together to explore new ideas, discuss policies and programs, and strengthen partnerships in the field of nature and health.
The February 10 dinner features a speed talk from Rachel Berney, PhD, associate professor in the UW College of Built Environments and director of Urban@UW.
Rachel is an urban designer and scholar whose research examines the social, political, and spatial dimensions of public space in cities across the Americas. She focuses on how the built environment shapes community development, equitable urban development, sustainability, and everyday life. Her work examines the use of public space to promote belonging and the impacts of mobility and transit infrastructure on public health and well-being. A central focus of her research and teaching is community-engaged work that supports more just and inclusive planning practices. Across these areas, she is particularly interested in the legibility of urban environments—how invitations to use public space and their imaginaries (intended audiences) communicate meaning, foster inclusion, and support more equitable urban futures.
During the February Community Dinner, Rachel will talk about two recent works:
1. Building equity into public park and recreation service investment: A review of public agency approaches
2. Fit for all: Exploring invitations and imaginaries in urban design research
Nature and Health Community Dinners include:

A plant-based dinner
Drinks
Networking
Short talks from a wide variety of professionals, including researchers, community leaders, policy-makers, program managers, etc.

Neuroscience Cell Types Webinar: Getting Started with Programmatic Access to ABC Atlas Data
2026-02-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
This beginner-friendly webinar will focus on installation, set-up, and common questions related to using Jupyter notebooks (Python) for accessing and analyzing ABC Atlas transcriptomic data.
Details

Learn from Allen Institute scientists and collaborators through 5 webinars about the various cell types and neuroscience projects.
See below for webinar details and individual registration links.
You must register separately for each webinar you wish to attend.

Immune-Related Adverse Events Webinar Series: Rheumatologic irAEs
2026-02-11 12:00 - 14:00 | Online
We invite you to this provider focused virtual series, Immune-Related Adverse Events – A Series of Panels Exploring the Side Effects of Immunotherapy, hosted by our course chairs Petros Grivas, MD, PhD, and Shailender Bhatia, MD. During the event, clinicians will present immunotherapy-related treatment and research updates and discuss clinical challenges. We will begin with a didactic session, leaving 45 minutes for case discussion and questions. Our featured panelist for this session is Laura Cappelli, MD, associate professor of Medicine and Oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
CME Accreditation
The University of Washington School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The University of Washington School of Medicine designates this live activity of a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. (Each session is worth 1.5 credits)

Life Science Washington March Networking Event
2026-03-05 16:00 - 18:00 | The Loft, 3305 Monte Villa Pkwy., Bothell, WA, 98021, United States
Kick off the year with Life Science Washington’s first networking event of 2026! Join us this March at The Loft in Bothell for a lively happy hour bringing together life science professionals. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and drinks while reconnecting with colleagues, meeting new peers, and strengthening relationships that will shape the year ahead. This event is a great opportunity to reset, reengage, and build meaningful connections within Washington’s life sciences community – you won’t want to miss it!
Space is limited and will sell out – secure your spot today!

SoundBio Lab Open House
2026-03-20 18:00 - 19:30 | SoundBio Lab, 1100 Northeast 47th Street #103Seattle, WA, 98105, United States
“SoundBio Lab is a nonprofit biology makerspace in Seattle’s University District that is working to expand access to hands-on, community-driven science. We provide lab space, equipment, and support for independent research projects, and run STEAM workshops, lab skills training, and outreach programs that make biology accessible to all.
On Friday March 20th, 2026, join us at the lab between 6:00 and 7:30 pm to learn more about what we do, and how we do it! Feel free to bring friends — anyone interested in seeing our community lab is welcome!”

BrainFest 2026
2026-03-21 10:00 - 17:00 | Pacific Science Center, 200 Second Avenue North, Seattle, WA, 98109, United States
Have you ever wondered how you wonder? On March 21, 2026, curious families, friends, and neuroscience enthusiasts will once again gather at Seattle’s Pacific Science Center (PacSci) for BrainFest 2026—a day dedicated to exploring the incredible human brain.
This annual celebration, co-hosted by the Allen Institute and PacSci, brings together passionate volunteers and local STEM partners to create a vibrant, curiosity-filled experience. Visitors of all ages will dive into hands-on activities, explore interactive exhibits, watch live science presentations, and meet real neuroscientists who study how our brains make us who we are. You’ll even have the rare chance to see—and possibly touch—a real brain!

UW Science Now With Sierra Gillman and Emma Modrick
2026-04-06 17:30 - 19:00 | The Wyncote NW Forum, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101, United States
Hear from UW students about research on the hidden drivers behind shifting marbled murrelet populations and viewing monsoon seasons from the perspective of the ocean.
Investigating the At Sea Decline of Marbled Murrelets
Sierra Gillman
Using twenty years of at-sea survey data and statistical models, I am identifying the hidden drivers behind the shifting population trends of marbled murrelets.
The Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is a unique seabird that leads a double life in the Pacific Northwest. It spends its entire life on the open ocean, but during the breeding season, it flies miles inland to nest in the high branches of old-growth forests. Despite decades of legal protection, these populations are still in trouble and continue to decline across Washington. To understand what is driving these losses, I analyzed twenty years of at-sea survey data with hierarchical distance sampling. By looking at two decades of trends, my research identifies the specific environmental factors that are pushing these declines.
Sierra Gillman is a PhD candidate in the Quantitative Ecology Lab in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington. Her dissertation applies hierarchical distance sampling and quantitative models to improve long-term conservation efforts for marine birds and mammals throughout the Pacific Northwest.
The Price of Change
Emma Modrick
An accounting of the Indian summer monsoon, from the perspective of the ocean.
Deep below the surface of the ocean, a mysterious process takes energy from wind and uses it to power a large-scale circulation that is essential in regulating the Earth’s climate. For decades, scientists have applied a simple, straightforward framework for how this wind energy may eventually make its way into the deep ocean by focusing on how it first affects the surface of the ocean. But how good is this framework, and does it apply everywhere in the ocean? Using the case of the annual transition into the monsoon season off the coast of India, we’ll follow the “budget” of wind energy as it enters the surface ocean and begins to change its properties.
Emma Modrick is an oceanography graduate student studying the physics of the surface ocean using a combination of theory, simulations, and observations. She was raised in greater Washington, DC, and completed her undergrad degree in oceanography and applied math at Cal Poly Humboldt in coastal northern California. Her free time is consumed by desperate efforts to foil her cat’s attempts at shredding all the paper in her home.

UW Public Lectures: Unlocking Secrets: Interrogating the Epigenome to Reveal Pregnancy Risks in Moms with High Blood Pressure with Bertha Hidalgo
2026-04-07 18:30 - 20:30 | Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101, United States
Join Dr. Bertha Hidalgo as she explores how epigenetics is reshaping our understanding of hypertensive pregnancy disorders. This lecture highlights population-based insights, early biomarkers of risk, and transformative strategies for prevention—advancing maternal health equity and innovation in public health.

UW Science Now With Gracie Rogers, Gretchen Stemmler, and Justin Applegate
2026-04-09 17:30 - 19:00 | The Wyncote NW Forum, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101, United States
Hear from UW students about research on how biomimicry can be used to reduce pollution, how dopamine networks mediate motivation, and untreatable gonorrhea.

The Golem of Washington
Gracie Rogers
In folklore, a golem is created to protect a community from danger. In this scientific retelling, the danger is rising atmospheric CO₂, and the guardians are synthetic molecules, peptoids, engineered to conduct carbon capture. Peptoids are bio-inspired proteins, built with structural changes to allow them to withstand harsh environments. When examining biology for pollution reduction, folks often think of plants. In this instance, the origin of the carbon capture in the peptoid molecules goes back to how shellfish build their shells. Shells are made from calcium carbonate. The ability of the natural protein to incorporate carbon is the inspiration.
My name is Gracie Rogers, I am studying for a PhD at the University of Washington. I hold a bachelor’s from Texas A&M University and a master’s from Villanova University, both in Chemical Engineering. While earning my degree at Villanova, I worked full-time in nuclear energy, where I learned that, with proper precautions, all science can be conducted safely. Outside of work and school, I enjoy crocheting, painting, and playing tennis.

Stuck in the Dopamine Web
Gretchen Stemmler
This talk investigates how brain dopamine networks mediate motivation and learning behaviors to design better pharmacological treatments for eating and mood disorders.
Current medications for affective disorders and eating disorders improve the regulation of brain reward systems that largely consist of dopamine circuitry. Dopamine neurons are robustly expressed in the brain and govern several adaptive behaviors, including reward learning, motivation, and movement. Dysfunction of dopamine systems can lead to various maladaptive behaviors characteristic of these disorders. However, current medications for affective and eating disorders affect widespread dopamine systems in nonspecific methods and have several off-target effects. My research examines genetic heterogeneity in dopamine neuron populations to identify the specific brain networks that govern natural reward, as well as how dysregulation of these dopamine networks is associated with affective and eating disorders. Ultimately, my research aims to support better pharmacological treatments through designing more specific medications that target only dysregulated brain systems to re-regulate their activity.
I am a first year pharmacology graduate student. I study the neural systems involved in motivation and reward learning using techniques such as neuromodulation, fluorescence imaging, and pharmacological methods. Through examining neural circuitry during natural and maladaptive behavior, I aim to identify specific molecular and circuit-level mechanisms to facilitate the development of treatment for individuals with addiction and mood-related disorders.

Untreatable Gonorrhea: The Burning Truth
Justin Applegate
Gonorrhea has been plaguing humanity for most of our history. In the past 100 years, antibiotics have provided a safe and effective treatment for this disease. However, with the rise of antibiotic resistance, there is a looming threat of untreatable gonorrhea. In this talk, discover the ways we’ve treated gonorrhea throughout history, and potentially the future!
Dr. Justin Applegate, PhD is a recent graduate from the University of Washington Biochemistry Program. During their time in graduate school, they studied Type IV Pili, tiny fibers that bacteria use to cause infection.

UW Science Now With Beatrice Milnes, Sophia Chioma Chima, and Kathleen Durkin
2026-04-17 17:30 - 19:00 | The Wyncote NW Forum, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101, United States
Hear from UW students about research on tadpole tail regeneration, the science of early immunity, and how corals remember.

How Tadpoles Grow Back Their Tails: The Science of Regeneration
Beatrice Milnes
Some animals, like tadpoles, have an almost superpower-like ability to regrow lost body parts. When a tadpole loses its tail, the injured area undergoes dramatic changes to create new healthy tissue through a process called regeneration. Immune cells are one of the cell types that change the most after injury and play an important role in how well the body is able to heal. If they are blocked from doing their job in tadpoles, regeneration does not occur. By understanding how regeneration works in tadpoles, scientists hope to one day apply these lessons to improve human medicine.
Beatrice Milnes is a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Molecular and Cellular Biology program at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Her work studies tadpole tail regeneration, specifically how metabolism influences immune responses after injury, in the hopes of improving regenerative medicine strategies. Beatrice conducts her research in Dr. Andrea Wills’ lab in the Department of Biochemistry and the Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine. Outside of lab, Beatrice enjoys ceramics and exploring ancient history.

Small Beginnings, Strong Defenses: The Science of Early Immunity
Sophia Chima
Join Sophia Chioma Chima, a 3rd-year PhD candidate at the University of Washington, to learn how scientists study pregnancy to help keep babies healthy before they’re even born. She will explain how the fetal immune system develops and how infections or early exposures can affect a baby’s long-term health. Sophia will also share practical insights on pregnancy health and highlight resources to help families and healthcare providers. You’ll get a peek at how discoveries in the lab can translate into real-world strategies to improve maternal and infant well-being. This talk is perfect for anyone curious about how research can make a difference in pregnancy and early-life health.
I’m Sophia Chioma Chima, a PhD candidate in the Pathobiology program at the School of Public Health, University of Washington. I am also a Predoctoral Research Associate in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Research department. I study how the fetal immune system develops and responds to infections during pregnancy, with the goal of improving maternal and infant health. I’m passionate about translating scientific discoveries into practical strategies and insights for families, healthcare providers, and the broader scientific community.

How Corals Remember
Kathleen Durkin
How corals make the most of their DNA to remember and respond to stressful events.
Kathleen Durkin is a PhD student in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences who is broadly interested in how important marine organisms respond to environmental stress under climate change. As an undergraduate at Harvey Mudd College, she studied soft coral taxonomy and population genetics, graduating in 2023 with a B.S. in Mathematical and Computational Biology. Her current research involves studying stress response through the lens of epigenetics — molecular features that can affect the body without altering the underlying DNA.

Life Science Innovation Northwest
2026-04-21 08:00 - 17:00 | Seattle Convention Center
“Life Science Innovation Northwest (LSINW) is the Pacific Northwest’s premier life science event where the entire ecosystem comes together to spark breakthroughs, shape the future, and accelerate what comes next. This one-and-a-half-day conference brings the region’s innovators into one room to showcase today’s most compelling discoveries and tomorrow’s biggest opportunities.
LSINW is the can’t-miss gathering for the PNW life science community. Nowhere else will you find CEOs, investors, research institutions, global health leaders, entrepreneurs, and public and private life science organizations connecting at this scale. With high-impact programming, elevated networking, and dedicated time to meet strategic partners, collaborators, and investors, LSINW 2026 is designed to help attendees build meaningful relationships that move ideas and companies forward.”

ISB's Research Roundtable: How the Body Ages
2026-04-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Join us Tuesday, April 21 from noon–1 p.m. PT for a free, virtual Research Roundtable featuring Alice Kane, PhD, Ling/Obrzut Assistant Professor. In “How the Body Ages,” Dr. Kane will explore new insights into frailty and women’s health across the menopause transition, shedding light on the biological drivers of aging. ISB’s Research Roundtable series showcases cutting-edge research from our scientists and is accessible to both scientific and general audiences.

UW Science Now With Haley Walk, Ishaan Ambrish, and Ralph Tayyar
2026-04-23 17:30 - 19:00 | The Wyncote NW Forum, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101, United States
Hear from UW students about research on lowering emissions through community-centered actions, how kids learn to talk about the space around them, and the use of antibiotics on kidney patients.

Keeping our Garden: Faithful Attention in a Warming World
Haley Walk
Climate change can feel overwhelming, abstract, and politically charged. But at its core, it is also deeply personal, shaped by the quiet, repeated decisions we make every day about food, energy, clothing, waste, and convenience.
In Keeping Our Garden, Haley Walk brings together climate science, Christian theology, and behavioral research to explore what faithful stewardship looks like in an era of rising greenhouse gases. Drawing on foundational climate concepts, including carbon dioxide accumulation, methane emissions, and embedded carbon in consumer goods, this talk translates complex science into accessible insight. Participants will learn how everyday consumption patterns contribute to global emissions, and why many of the most impactful climate decisions occur long before a product reaches our hands.
Rooted in the biblical call to “tend and keep” the garden, this project reframes climate action not as panic or perfection, but as formation. Through the guiding metaphor of a daily “NEED vs. WANT” decision point, Haley invites participants to consider how attention, restraint, and community-centered practices can reduce emissions while also cultivating intentional living. Practical examples, from composting and reducing fast fashion to embracing Sabbath rhythms and secondhand purchasing, illustrate how small, sustained shifts can reshape both personal habits and collective systems.
Rather than offering a checklist of environmental rules, Keeping Our Garden presents a hopeful, grounded pathway: faithful attention as a climate response. Participants will leave with concrete tools, research-backed guidance, and a framework for choosing one meaningful shift that aligns their faith, their values, and the future of the planet.
Haley Walk is a Master of Marine Affairs candidate at the University of Washington’s School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, where she studies environmental policy and the legal implications of emerging conservation technologies. She previously worked as a Fisheries Observer in the Northwest Groundfish Fisheries Observing Program and currently serves as a Teaching Assistant for the Biology Program. Haley’s work focuses on bridging scientific research, environmental governance, justice, and everyday practice. Through Keeping our Garden, she brings together her academic training, personal experience, and past Christian faith to explore practical, community-centered responses to climate change.

Language, Space, and the Ways Kids Use Them
Ishaan Ambrish
We often use space as a way to help us understand and think about abstract concepts like time. As adults, we use language to describe spatial concepts seamlessly, but children have a harder time doing so. Additionally, children who speak multiple languages may be exposed to different ways of describing spatial concepts in each of their languages, which can then influence how they think about space. This talk explores how children learn to use spatial language and how communication with others can help foster spatial language use, as well as upcoming research on how being bilingual may impact how children learn about spatial concepts.
Ishaan Ambrish is a 4th year PhD candidate at the Language, Cognition, and Development Lab at the University of Washington. He is interested in researching how language impacts the way we see the world and how knowing multiple languages influences this worldview. Outside of the lab, you can find him biking on the Burke Gilman, watching movies with friends, and spending time with his cat Alice.

When Silence Isn’t Harmless: Rethinking Antibiotics After Kidney Transplant
Ralph Tayyar
After a kidney transplant, bacteria in the urine are common, especially in the first month. Even without symptoms, many patients receive antibiotics out of concern for preventing serious infection. But growing evidence suggests that treating every positive test may not improve outcomes and may contribute to antibiotic resistance. In this talk, Ralph Tayyar explores whether early treatment truly protects transplanted kidneys or unintentionally causes harm. Drawing on seven years of data from approximately 1,400 transplant recipients, he examines rejection, infection, and resistance outcomes. This presentation challenges the reflex to treat and invites a more thoughtful approach to antibiotic stewardship in vulnerable patients.
Ralph Tayyar is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases at the University of Washington Medical Center. He specializes in transplant infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship, with a focus on improving outcomes for immunocompromised patients. His research examines how antibiotic practices influence transplant rejection, infection risk, and antimicrobial resistance. He leads clinical and quality improvement initiatives aimed at aligning real-world practice with evidence-based care. Ralph is committed to advancing responsible antibiotic use while protecting the long-term success of organ transplantation.

2026 Cell Signaling Breakthroughs Symposium
2026-04-25 08:00 - 18:30 | Renaissance Seattle Hotel, 515 Madison Street, Seattle, WA, 98104, United States
The 2026 Cell Signaling Breakthroughs Symposium brings 120+ experts to explore advances in cell signaling biology and therapeutic innovation.
Event Details:
Date: April 25, 2026
Location: Renaissance Seattle Hotel, Seattle, WA
Target Audience: 120+ experts in biotechnology, kinase biology, and drug development
Your Session: We would be delighted to host you for a 30-minute presentation followed by a Q&A session.
The second annual 2026 Cell Signaling Breakthroughs (CSB) Symposium will take place at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel.
Join leading scientists, researchers, and industry experts for an immersive day focused on the latest breakthroughs in cell signaling research and therapeutic innovation. This dynamic program is designed to spark meaningful discussions, foster collaboration, and highlight emerging trends shaping the future of life science.
The symposium will feature three engaging panels:
Panel 1: Fundamental Cell Biology of Signaling Networks: Dynamics, Crosstalk, and Regulation
Panel 2: Cell Signaling in Neurodegenerative Diseases: From Molecular Pathways to Therapeutic
Panel 3: Targeting Cell Signaling Pathways for Therapeutic Development
The CSB Symposoim will wrap up with closing remarks and an exclusive post-event networking and cocktail reception—the perfect opportunity to build lasting connections, exchange ideas, and leave inspired by the future of cell signaling research.

UW Science Now With Maya Singh, Deja Monet, and AJ Mallory
2026-04-25 17:30 - 19:00 | The Wyncote NW Forum, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101, United States
Hear from UW students about research on HIV medication, prenatal hydrocephalus, and how getting a good night’s sleep can help people learn new movements.

A Simple Way to Measure Long-Term HIV Medication Levels
Maya Singh
People taking HIV medication, either for prevention or treatment, have to take medication every single day, preventing the spread of HIV. However, factors outside of their control, such as resistance, age, sex, and location in the world, can prevent the medication from working well. My work focuses on the development of a rapid and low-cost test that can measure HIV medication levels in 30 minutes, telling someone if they have enough medication in their system.
Maya Singh is a third-year PhD student in bioengineering at the University of Washington, where she focuses on creating low-cost tests to measure long-term HIV medication levels. She is passionate about being at the intersection of global health, engineering, and public policy to understand the impact of her work on people living with HIV.

A Study of Prenatal Hydrocephalus
Deja Monet
This talk will cover the cellular and genetic basis of developmental brain disorders. The developing brain is like traffic in an efficient city, closely following and adapting to different signals. In this talk, I’ll cover how brain development changes when these signals go awry.
Deja Monet is a Ph.D. candidate in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience at the University of Washington. In addition to researching brain development, she also applies her training in science, technology, and society studies to exploring public health and science accessibility.

Learning to Move: How Your Brain Handles the Unexpected
AJ Mallory
Moving your body through the world is one of the most important jobs of your brain. Your brain is amazing at learning and adapting, whether it’s a baby taking their first steps or an adult staying upright on slippery ice. Learn about the different strategies your brain uses for adapting and learning new skills. We will start with well-understood learning behaviors and connect them to cutting-edge neuroscience of neural dynamics and brain-computer interfaces.
AJ Mallory is a Bioengineering Graduate Student at the University of Washington studying Neural Engineering in the Orsborn lab. She is particularly interested in the neural dynamics underlying motor learning and brain-computer interfaces. When not in the lab, she enjoys reading comic books with her kids and taking her dogs for long walks in the rain.

NW Nature & Health Symposium
2026-04-29 09:00 - 16:30 | wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House, 4249 Little Canoe Channel NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, United States
Expanding access to nature improves the health and well-being of communities and helps us address climate and conservation goals. The NW Nature and Health Symposium—now in its 9th year—highlights programs, policies, and research that are advancing equitable access to green and blue spaces. During this event, you’ll hear from 13 diverse experts who are working toward a future where all communities and nature can thrive.

INsight
2026-04-30 08:00 - 17:00 | Fred Hutch
We’re celebrating Innovators Network members, and we want to shout it from the rooftops! The Arnold Building rooftop, that is. INsight is an evening of science and socializing with the most scenic view in the city. Hear from Fred Hutch researchers and catch up on how your support is funding leading-edge research to end cancer and related diseases in our lifetime.
This event is for Innovators Network members only.

Seattle DROP: Discover Research Opportunities for Postdocs
2026-05-05 08:00 - 13:00 | Online
The next Fred Hutch/University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Cancer Consortium collaborative postdoc recruitment initiative will occur on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 from 8am-1pm PT. This virtual event is a great opportunity learn more about research opportunities in Seattle and hear from outstanding mentors, recruiting faculty, and current postdocs. We encourage candidates from all communities to apply.
Before you register, it’s important for you to know that you’ll be asked if you’d like to complete a brief biosketch during the registration process. Your biosketch will be shared with faculty at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Research Institute. You can find an example biosketch that will help prepare you to complete your own biosketch.
For questions or more information about the event, please contact seattledrop@cancerconsortium.org.

BRI Immunology Symposium: New Horizons in Immunity and Disease
2026-05-05 08:00 - 17:00 | Bell Harbor International Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way, Pier 66, Seattle, WA, United States
Benaroya Research Institute’s third annual immunology symposium, New Horizons in Immunity and Disease, will take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Due to strong interest and enthusiastic support from the immunology community, we’re relocating this year’s event to Bell Harbor International Conference Center in Seattle, a larger venue that will better accommodate our growing audience.
We’re excited to once again bring together leading voices from the local and national immunology research community for a day of collaboration, discovery, discussion and connection. Building on two years of full houses, dynamic presentations, and meaningful dialogue, this year’s symposium is set to continue that momentum.
RSVP Today!
More details, including program highlights and event speakers, will be shared soon.
Please contact BRI’s marketing and communications team via email with any questions.
BRI Immunology Symposium Speakers

The program features two standout keynote speakers, Jay Shendure, MD, PhD, and Phil Greenberg, MD, alongside a strong lineup of nationally and locally recognized researchers from institutions including BRI, the University of Washington, and the Allen Institute for Immunology. Additional speakers and the full agenda will be announced in the coming months. Registration is now open.

Stuart and Molly Sloan Precision Oncology Institute Symposium on Drugging the Undruggable
2026-05-05 08:30 - 17:00 | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center – Pelton Auditorium, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., Seattle, WA, 98109, United States
On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the Stuart & Molly Sloan Precision Oncology Institute is hosting a symposium to explore new approaches to traditionally undruggable targets. This symposium will bring together thought leaders and discuss the latest breakthroughs, challenges, and future directions in turning previously elusive disease drivers into viable therapeutic opportunities for cancer and other diseases. Following talks, all attendees are invited to meet the speakers and enjoy a selection of food and beverages at a reception from 4:00 – 5:00 pm in the Sze Suites.
The Drugging the Undruggable Symposium is co-hosted by Behnam Nabet, PhD, Assistant Professor, Human Biology Division.
For schedule and speaker information see our agenda. Registration is open. All are welcomed and invited to attend. We hope you’ll join us!

2026 GeekWire Awards
2026-05-07 17:30 - 21:00 | Showbox SoDo, 1700 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA, United States
The much-anticipated and hotly-contested GeekWire Awards celebrate the top innovators, entrepreneurs and technology leaders in the Pacific Northwest. Hosted live from Seattle’s Showbox SoDo on May 7, this must-attend event features a seated dinner, entertainment, fun surprises and coveted awards handed out in a dozen categories.

Discovery Series, Dr. Cyrus Ghjar, Professor, Fred Hutch
2026-05-08 11:30 - 13:00 | Perkins Coie LLP, 1201 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98101, United States
What if cancer didn’t strike in one dramatic moment—but instead lingered, quietly, for years? Long after a tumor seems gone, cancer cells can lie dormant. And sometimes, they return. This is the mystery of metastatic relapse—and the frontier where Dr. Cyrus Ghajar works.
​At Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Ghajar leads research into how dormant cancer cells evade treatment and what reactivates them. His lab bridges oncology, immunology, and bioengineering to explore the role of the immune system in suppressing dormant cancer cells. It’s a delicate numbers game that can tip the balance between remission and recurrence.
​Supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Kuni Foundation, U.S. Department of Defense and other funders, Ghajar holds the Peter S. Lefkarites Memorial Endowed Chair. Ghajar’s work is reshaping how we think about metastasis—not as a sudden invasion, but a slow, stealthy process that might be intercepted. Join us to explore how silence in the body might hold the key to preventing relapse.

2026 IPCR Symposium
2026-05-09 08:00 - 17:00 | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center – Pelton Auditorium, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., Seattle, WA, 98109, United States
Join us for this complimentary opportunity to learn about the latest advances in prostate cancer research, treatment, and prevention from leading experts driving the progress.
Sessions will feature – practical advice for maintaining your health after a prostate cancer diagnosis, strategies for optimizing prevention and early detection, and explanations of new approaches that take advantage of personalized treatments that involve more precise delivery of anti-cancer therapy.
You will leave with a refreshed perspective on the current approaches for optimally treating prostate cancer and learn about new research directed toward prevention and cure.
Register online at: https://PPCRSPORE.formstack.com/forms/ipcr2026

Science After Dark: STEM Art Walk
2026-05-09 19:00 - 22:00 | Pacific Science Center, 200 Second Avenue North, Seattle, WA, 98109, United States
We’re transforming Pacific Science Center into an immersive art walk for one night only! Explore how bold, creative expression can bring science to life during an evening where art and science collide:
– Walk through our pop-up STEM gallery featuring art from local artists
– Get creative and make your own art
– Catch live performances from Modular Seattle
– Enjoy food from Flair Taco and drinks from a special 21+ menu

2026 Computational Cell Types Workshop
2026-05-11 08:00 - 2026-05-14 17:00 | WA
In this hackathon-style workshop, attendees will be introduced to single cell- and spatial transcriptomic datasets from the Allen Institute and their collaborators, while working in teams to use these datasets for data analysis, tool creation, model development, and more.

Workshop highlights
Learn how to leverage the power of cell types in your research with these featured events:
– Learn about single cell- and spatial transcriptomic datasets
– Form collaborations with others to ideate, develop tools or models, and solve problems
– Receive guidance on projects from Allen Institute scientists
– Visit Allen Institute and learn about the laboratory techniques behind the datasets
– Provide user feedback to Allen Institute scientists about existing tools and documentation
As part of the application process, applicants will be asked to propose an idea involving these datasets for the workshop. Attendees can choose to work with any single dataset, with multiple datasets, or can choose to connect one of these datasets to an externally existing dataset (not part of this ABC Atlas collection) as part of their project.
Once at the workshop, groups will work on a singular project— these group projects can be one of the proposed projects, a combination of proposed projects, or something completely new. Projects can range from data analysis, to model and/or tool development, or to something else entirely. The goals of this workshop are to foster collaboration and creativity among the participants.
After the conclusion of the workshop, participants are encouraged to feel free to continue working on their projects with their group members and write-up their results however they feel appropriate. In addition, some of the Allen scientists from the workshop can continue to provide as needed guidance on projects.
Workshop Details
Workshop Dates: May 11-14th, 2026.
Cost: We will provide up to $1750 in travel & accommodation support for accepted participants. There is no application fee. Food will be provided during the workshop.
All applications will be notified of the decision on their application by March 6, 2026.
This workshop was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U24NS133077. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Questions? Email  rachel.hostetler@alleninstitute.org

Pacific Northwest Symposium on Cancer Genetics and Prevention
2026-05-15 08:00 - 17:00 | Online
Join Fred Hutch Cancer Center for an engaging online summit on cancer genetics, designed for health care professionals committed to advancing precision medicine.
This event offers continuing education credits, expert-led sessions on genetic risk assessment and testing, and practical strategies to integrate genomics into patient care.
Speakers include Fred Hutch and UW Medicine providers specializing in medical oncology, hematology, gastroenterology, genetics and cancer prevention.

PacSci Ignite Luncheon
2026-05-15 10:30 - 13:00 | Fisher Pavilion, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA, 98109, United States
PacSci’s annual Ignite Luncheon brings together our community’s business, philanthropic, and civic leaders to celebrate the power of curiosity and innovation.

UW Biology Presents: Biology Open House
2026-05-16 10:00 - 14:00 | UW Life Sciences Building University of Washington, 3747 W Stevens Wy NE, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
Please save the date – Saturday, May 16th, 2026 – because we are hosting a day of science and invite you to join us!
This event is free of cost, and families and science enthusiasts of all ages are welcome. The UW Department of Biology is a large, collaborative, and integrative department – meaning our research and teaching spans from cellular and molecular biology to global climate change to paleontology to plant biology. Our department is among the largest undergraduate degree programs at the UW and is a vital STEM pipeline for the state of Washington. Come learn about the exciting things our department is doing from experts in their fields! Our UW Biology Greenhouse will also be open for visitors!
At our open house, you’ll have the opportunity to explore topics such as:
– How have penguins adapted to survive climate change?
– How is neuron fate decided during development?
– Why are mosquitoes attracted to us?
– Do plants really “defend” themselves against insect predators?
– How does the brain really work?
– Does the Greenhouse really have a stinky corpse plant and when will it bloom next?
– You’ll also be able to touch invertebrates, brains, fossils…and more!

Seattle AWIS: Lumen Bioscience: Drugs from Algae
2026-05-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Fred Hutch
Mark your calendars—more information is on the way!
Seattle AWIS is excited to cohost a dynamic event with Lumen Biosciences exploring how the company is reimagining the future of biologic drugs. Lumen is pioneering a highly scalable platform that removes traditional barriers in biologic development, aiming to dramatically reduce costs and expand global access. Attendees will learn how this innovative approach is accelerating the creation of next-generation therapeutics and opening new possibilities for treating a wide range of diseases. Join us for an inside look at cutting-edge biotech shaping the future of medicine.
Hybrid:
In person at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Thomas Building, Sze Conference Room
1305 Ward Street, Seattle WA 98109
Free parking available in any Fred Hutch surface parking lots (garage is closed).
Virtual by Zoom
Registration requested: https://seattleawis.org/events/
