Harvard’s Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (HSCRB) held its 2019 retreat on September 20, along the waterfront at the Museum of Science in Boston. After a morning program of scientific talks and award presentations, the department was deloyed en masse on a scavenger hunt through the museum’s exhibit halls.

Paola Arlotta, Chair of HSCRB, opened the retreat with highlights from the past year:

  • HSCRB junior faculty have been recognized as leaders in research and teaching. Ya-Chieh Hsu received Harvard’s Roslyn Abramson Award for excellence and sensitivity in undergraduate teaching, Jason Buenrostro was named to the 2019 MIT Technology Review’s “Innovators under 35” list, and Jessica Whited received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
  • In collaboration with Harvard Business School, HSCRB launched a new dual degree program, MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences. The program is co-chaired by Mark Fishman and Douglas Melton, and directed by William Anderson. The first class of students will start in fall 2020.
  • HSCRB is responsible for developing and running the graduate program in Developmental and Regenerative Biology. Co-directed by Jeffrey Macklis and Trista North, the program unites faculty across the Harvard University and Harvard Medical School campuses to provide a strong foundation in basic developmental and stem cell biology principles and skills.

Kevin Eggan, faculty chair of the retreat, introduced guest speaker Benjamin Ebert of Dana–Farber Cancer Institute. His keynote on the genetics of blood malignancies was followed by scientific talks from Sarah Bowling, postdoctoral fellow in the Camargo lab; Aaron Burberry, postdoctoral fellow in the Eggan lab; and Ya-Chieh Hsu.

Jill Goldstein, postdoctoral fellow in the Wagers lab, and Marlies Rossmann, postdoctoral fellow in the Zon lab received the 2019 Trainee Leadership Award, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the HSCRB community.

Zack Chiang, graduate student in the Buenrostro lab, and Bing Zhang, postdoctoral fellow in the Hsu lab received the award for best poster.

Competition in the scavenger hunt was fierce, but ultimately the “A team” won the day.

Kevin Eggan speaking in front of audience.
Kevin Eggan served as the faculty chair for the 2019 HSCRB retreat.
Paola Arlotta speaking.
Paola Arlotta, Chair of HSCRB, opened the retreat with welcoming remarks.
Ben Ebert speaking.
Benjamin Ebert of Dana–Farber Cancer Institute was the invited speaker for the retreat.
Sarah Bowling speaking.
Postdoctoral fellow Sarah Bowling presented her research in the Camargo lab.
Aaron Burberry speaking.
Postdoctoral fellow Aaron Burberry presented his research in the Eggan lab.
Ya-Chieh Hsu speaking.
Ya-Chieh Hsu presented recent research from her lab.
Marlies Rossmann.
Marlies Rossmann, postdoctoral fellow in the Zon lab, was named the co-recipient of the 2019 Trainee Leadership Award.
Jill Goldstein.
Jill Goldstein, postdoctoral fellow in the Wagers lab, was named the co-recipient of the 2019 Trainee Leadership Award.
Group photo of department members.
Group photo of department members.
Department members looking at a museum exhibit.
Group photo of department members.
Department members in front of a museum exhibit.
Group photo of department members.
Faculty members arrive at the retreat.
From left: HSCRB faculty members David Scadden, Len Zon, and Jeff Macklis.
A group of department members in conversation.
Department members conversing in front of posters.
Poster session.
Group photo of HSCRB faculty.
The faculty of HSCRB.
Group photo of the Zon lab.
The Zon lab.
Group photo of the Scadden lab.
The Scadden lab.
Group photo of the Hsu lab.
The Hsu lab.
Group photo of the Camargo lab.
The Camargo lab.
Group photo of the Buenrostro lab.
The Buenrostro lab.
Group photo of the Arlotta lab.
The Arlotta lab.
Group photo of department members.
Members of the administration team, from left: Alicia Kelly, Danielle Oliver, Emily Andrews, Sarah Hetman.
Group photo of department members.
Members of the education team, from left: Julie Park, Mara Laslo, Maitreyi Upadhyay.
Group photo of department members.
Group photo of department members.
Group photo of department members.
Group photo of department members.
Group photo of department members.