

Join us for Our Chapter's Largest Event of the Year
The 2025 Mid-Atlantic Science & Technology (MAST) Showcase will be held in person at M&T Bank Stadium.
A full day of programming, free to attend, but registration is required.
Timeslot | Session Title |
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10:00 AM | Registration |
10:00 AM - 04:00 PM | Expo Hall |
10:00 AM - 04:00 PM | Career Development |
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Education Sessions |
12:00 AM - 01:00 PM | Keynote Lunch |
04:00 PM - 06:00 PM | Networking After Party |
Timeslot | Session Title |
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11:00 AM - 11:45 AM | Track 1 - Designing the Neuroinclusive Scientific Workplace |
01:15 PM - 02:00 PM | Track 1 - Implementing transformative improvements to your facility |
02:15 PM - 03:00 PM | Track 1 - Using Digital Twin Modeling for Design, Diagnostics and Efficiency Improvements |
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM | Track 2 - Breaking Barriers: Driving Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry |
01:15 PM - 02:00 PM | Track 2 - Panel: Decarbonization and Electrification of Life Science Facilities |
02:15 PM - 03:00 PM | Track 2 - Unlocking Time with AI to Tackle Complex Challenges in Life Sciences Construction |
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM | Track 3 - Breaking the Mold: The Biotech Industry says Goodbye to USP <88> Class VI Plastics |
01:15 PM - 02:00 PM | Track 3 - Building Confidence in AI Integration: A Phased Strategy for AI/ML Adoption in Life Science Manufacturing |
02:15 PM - 03:00 PM | Track 3 - CSR, ESG, and Sustainable Strategies Enhancing Growth in Pharma |
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM | Track 4 - ISPE CBA EL/WIP - Biopharma leaders – A guide to building high-performance teams |
01:15 PM - 02:00 PM | Track 4 - The Future of Manufacturing |
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Resume Reviews Maximize your career potential with a personalized, 20-minute resume review session. Meet one-on-one with industry and career experts who will provide tailored feedback to help you stand out. Whether you're refining your resume for a new job or pivoting to a new field, these focused sessions are designed to give you the insights you need to enhance your professional brand. |
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Mock Interviews |
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Professional Headshots |
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM | Mentor Circle: Students + Future Talent [Hello Life Sciences] We are excited to connect students and future talent with industry professionals and leaders for an opportunity to network, engage, and learn. Dive into the world of life sciences and expand your professional connections while gaining valuable insights into the industry |
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM | Mentor Circle: Emerging Leaders [Industry Trends] We are excited to unite emerging leaders with industry professionals and thought leaders for an engaging morning of networking and connection. Explore the latest industry trends, cutting-edge technologies, and emerging opportunities shaping the future. Expand your network and enjoy meaningful interactions that spark innovation and collaboration. |
01:15 PM - 02:15 PM | Innovation Exchange: Tech & Facility Showcase |
01:45 PM - 03:45 PM | Professional Headshots |
02:15 PM - 03:00 PM | Industry Panel #1: BioManufacturing and the Future of the BioHealth Capital? Challenges and Opportunities for BioManufacturing to Thrive in the Region |
03:15 PM - 04:00 PM | Industry Panel #2: Meeting Industry's Demands for an Agile Life Sciences Workforce |
TBD
Session Title | Precentors | Abstract |
Implementing transformative improvements to your facility | Joe Brewer - ABIO, Sr. Process Specialist Nick Pellegrino - ABIO, Project Manager/Process Specialist | This presentation explores the front-end strategy development essential for enabling companies to successfully implement innovative sustainability and process improvement ideas in their facilities. We will discuss the framework, tools, and creative thinking needed to successfully navigate the journey from concept to effective implementation. Key early engagement with the right level stakeholders ensures clear requirements are established around project scope, impact, budget, and schedule. Attendees will gain insights into tools vital to visualize and drive the project in its early stages. We will share how these structured methodologies have been applied to industry initiatives to create value and business results. Ultimately, the session will demonstrate how a systematic and strategic approach to project execution allows clients to see their forward-thinking ideas become reality. |
Using Digital Twin Modeling for Design, Diagnostics and Efficiency Improvements | Denny Woolley - Genesis, Sr. Process Utilities Engineer | Digital Twin technology is revolutionizing the way industries approach process and mechanical systems design, diagnostics, and operational efficiency. A Digital Twin is a dynamic, real-time virtual replica of a physical system, enabling enhanced monitoring, predictive maintenance, and Additionally, we will examine real-world applications in liquid processes. Using a governmental research facility High Purity Water System case study, I will share how to develop a “3-D” (ISO) model, to effectively meet the stringent specification of their design requirements. Installed |
Discussion Panel: Decarbonization and electrification of life science facilities | Jesse Fisher - WB Engineers + Consultants Jennifer Bullock - GSK, Site Sustainability Lead Linda Toth - Arup, Associate Engineer Kevin Chriswell - Cannon Design, Vice President Holly Lennihan - Project Pharma, Vice President | This panel discussion will focus on decarbonization and electrification of life science facilities. Learning Objectives The audience will learn about the current environment and trends towards decarbonization and changing code mandated sustainability regulations. Trends, strategies, and case studies will be presented to show examples of how decarbonization is being implemented in recent life science projects. In addition, the challenges to meet future energy concerns will be discussed. |
Breaking Barriers: Driving Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry | Evan Drake - Gilbane, Project Executive
| The complexities of life sciences construction combine with intense speed to market demands to create an ideal opportunity to leverage AI to improve productivity, while simultaneously increasing critical focus on safety and quality. Imagine “unlocking time” by designating AI to take on essential but routine tasks, such as data collection, project documentation, progress monitoring, and quality control. That time can then be “re-directed” to other technical complexities of life sciences facilities that demand a more strategic and collaborative approach. In this session, the team will share the benefits AI helped to achieve at the new Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Morgan Center for Research and Innovation. At CHOP, small, treaded robots autonomously navigate the jobsite, taking regular photos to create a digital repository of project images. Not only do they save time on these tasks, but the robot’s AI technology can also be programmed to analyze the images to identify other potential issues, such as unsafe site conditions, improper PPE usage, and progress delays. Even better, the technology is customizable to the unique demands of any project. For example, when CHOP was concerned about windblown rain on certain floors of the Morgan Center project, the robots were programmed to identify pooled water, minimizing the risk of mold. These minor corrections can lead to significant cost and schedule savings over the lifetime of the job. So, how is the CHOP project team leveraging the time they’ve unlocked? By accelerating site documentation and problem-solving on a large scale, all members of the project team – owner, project manager, and CM – will share how they are leveraging “unlocked time” to more effectively solve complex challenges like:
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Breaking the Mold: The Biotech Industry says Goodbye to USP <88> Class VI Plastics | Cory Perelman - Arcadis, Lead Instrumentations and Controls Engineer | The pharmaceutical and life sciences industries have recognized artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) as pivotal tools for improving process control, verification, and optimization. However, the journey towards full adoption of these technologies can be overwhelming, often leading to an "all-or-nothing" mindset. This presentation offers a practical roadmap for the gradual integration of AI/ML into existing frameworks, taking into consideration the specific needs and complexities of different business models. By breaking down the transformation into manageable phases, attendees will learn what foundational technologies and frameworks are necessary for successful AI implementation. The discussion will focus on identifying high-impact areas within process optimization that provide the greatest return on investment (ROI) with minimal risk. Hybrid models - blending traditional practices with AI techniques - will be highlighted as a stepping-stone to full digital transformation. Finally, the presentation will address the critical role of explainability in AI models, particularly in regulated industries where transparency is paramount. This focus on explainability aims to foster greater confidence in the integration of AI technologies, paving the way for future advancements in validation and regulatory acceptance. |
CSR, ESG, and Sustainable Strategies Enhancing Growth in Pharma: What can we learn from the world class amongst us and why does it matter? | Roger Ouimet - CAI, Global Director, Program and Project Management (PPM) | Time Magazine recently released its 2024 list of the Most Sustainable companies. There are several pharmaceutical manufacturers, life sciences, and biotechnology companies on the list and the industry can learn from these industry leading companies. Executive leaders from CAI and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TFS) will discuss the Triple Bottom Line strategic approach to balance people, the planet, and profit to sustainably grow. Thermo Fisher Scientific is #222 on Time’s list and is in the top 1% for its Sustainalytics Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts. We will discuss how TFS and others have added these important programs to their strategies. Many pharmaceutical companies are consistently challenged with price pressure for their products and are called upon to look for ways to make their products more accessible globally. Community and industry research foundation support can help a company’s social reputation. Employee benefits packages, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in talent acquisition and career development, and professional development all drive retention and lead to innovations. We will touch on these and will provide examples of environmental initiatives TFS is focused on. Finally, we will cover how operational excellence increases profits. We will close with how these can impact all companies in our industry if embraced, including sustainable growth, leading to reduced impact to the planet.
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The Future of Manufacturing | Rob Boulanger - CRB | The results from CRB’s latest Horizons Report survey of 500 industry leaders from across pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are in and the results are fascinating. The survey data allows a detailed look at how the industry is leveraging new manufacturing technologies to stay competitive and avoid falling behind in a highly regulated environment. Manufacturers are eager to embrace production technologies innovations in the production of biologics that not only enhance supply but do so with increased efficiency, improved safety and quality. Whether it’s the move away from batch processing in favor of continuous technologies or the use of AI to support real-time batch release, the biopharma experts surveyed paint a portrait of an industry that continues to evolve and continues to adopt the necessary tools to make this happen. These survey results lift the roof on the modern manufacturing facility and look inside. |
Designing the Neuroinclusive Scientific Workplace | Kay Sargent - HOK, Senior Principal | Director of Thought Leadeship, Interiors Wayne Nickles - HOK, Principal | S+T Practice Leader | We are living in a time of increased numbers and awareness about individuals with neuro-
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Biopharma leaders – A guide to building high-performance teams | Angela J. Stillisano - Astrazenca, Sr. Director, Cell Therapy Manufacturing Dave Boclair - Deka Biosciences, Inc, VP of Technical Operations Tara Crnkovich - Arcellx, Head of QA Operations Meron F. - Cherenet Vandstrom, Inc., Business Operations and Human Capital Jaymie White Moran (Moderator) - Piper Companies, Biopharma Account Manager Danielle Gabrish (Moderator) - AstraZeneca, Director of Clinical Biologics Manufacturing | Panel discussion on Biopharma leaders – A guide to building high-performance teams |
Panel #1: BioManufacturing and the Future of the BioHealth Capital? Challenges and Opportunities for BioManufacturing to Thrive in the Region | Career Development Panel 1 | TBD |
Panel #2: Meeting Industry's Demands for an Agile Life Sciences Workforce in the BioHealth Capital Region | Career Development Panel 2 | The life sciences industry is experiencing transformative growth, with the BioHeatlh Capital Region emerging as a critical center for innovation. As this sector evolves, the demand for skilled talent and new skills will continue to grow, making workforce development a key driver of both economic and scientific success. This panel will explore the most in-demand skills and the programs that are helping to build a diverse, thriving, and sustainable life sciences workforce that meets the evolving needs of the industry. Discussions will focus on strategies to attract, develop, and retain talent in a dynamic biotech landscape with new emerging technologies and a dynamic biotech market. |