2025 Forum
We brought PGED’s mission to a Forum to Venture Beyond the Horizon in Genetics, organized by our Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and the Wyss Institute.
As the Program Lead, PGED created an agenda interweaving science and society, from the frontiers of genetics research to engaging with our communities.
We welcomed 80 participants, including academic researchers, biotechnology industry leaders, high school teachers, storytellers, and faith leaders. Like us, many participants left with new energy, ideas, and connections.
Program at a Glance
Solutioning for People & the Planet
Immunity, attention, environmental toxicants, & engaging with communities (perspectives: business & faith)
Ignite the Future of Genetics
Awardees selected from the HMS Genetics “Ignite the Future of Genetics” competition
Storytelling & Genetics
The power of stories and portrayals in television and film
Frontiers of Cancer Biology
Unlocking new understandings of this disease and its progression
The Dark Matter of the Genome
Delving into parts of the genome that baffle
AI & the Future of Humanity
Navigating new possibilities and ethical questions for scientists, students, and humanity
From Academia to Industry
Accelerating translation from the laboratory to applications that help people
Our Speakers
Solutioning for People & the Planet – Part 1
Exploring immunity, neural circuitry & therapeutics, and environmental toxicants
Steve Elledge
Gregor Mendel Professor of Genetics & of Medicine
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Brielle Ferguson
Assistant Professor of Genetics & Neurology
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Monica Colaiacovo
Professor of Genetics
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Solutioning for People & the Planet – Part 2
Engaging with communities: perspectives from business and faith
Making the Business Case:
Doyle Karr
External Affairs Strategist
DOYLExt LLC
Interfaith Panel:
Imam Dr. Khalil Abdur-Rashid
Muslim Chaplain
Harvard University
Rabbi Getzel Davis
Director of Interfaith Engagement
Harvard University
Reverend Matthew Potts
Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church
Harvard University
Marnie Gelbart*
Director of Programs
Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Moderator
Ignite the Future of Genetics
Awardees selected from the HMS Department of Genetics’ “Ignite the Future of Genetics” competition
Indiana Olson & Hannah Grunwald
Laboratory of Matt Harris
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Daniel Stadtmauer
Laboratory of Cliff Tabin
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
David Cheek & Foivos Chatzidimitriou
Laboratory of Kamila Naxerova
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Himani Galagali
Laboratory of Gary Ruvkun
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Storytelling & Genetics
The power of stories and portrayals in television and film
Wendy Calhoun
Writer/Executive Producer
Edgewood Place Entertainment
Victoria Gray
Patient Advocate
Victoria Gray Speaks
Nicole Perlman
Screenwriter
Uncanny Valley Films, Inc
Robin Bowman*
Director of Education & Engagement
Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
*Moderator
Frontiers of Cancer Biology
Unlocking new understandings of this disease and its progression
Kamila Naxerova
Associate Professor of Genetics
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
The Dark Matter of the Genome
Delving into parts of the genome that baffle
Julia Li
Assistant Professor of Genetics
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Scott Kennedy
Philip and Aya Leder Professor of Genetics
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
AI & the Future of Humanity
Navigating new possibilities and ethical questions for scientists, students, and humanity
Fabienne Mondesir
Science Teacher
Boston Day & Evening Academy
George Church
Robert Winthrop Professor of Genetics
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
From Academia to Industry
Accelerating translation from the laboratory to applications that help people
Don Ingber
Founding Director & Core Faculty,
Wyss Institute
Meeting the Moment
Remarks from Marnie, Cliff, and Dean Daley sparked optimism for the future of research, innovation, and community engagement in genetics.
Marnie Gelbart
Director of Programs
Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Cliff Tabin
Chair of Genetics
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
George Q. Daley
Dean
Harvard Medical School
Solutioning for People & the Planet – Part 1
Exploring immunity, neural circuitry & therapeutics, and environmental toxicants
Steve Elledge
Gregor Mendel Professor of Genetics & of Medicine
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Brielle Ferguson
Assistant Professor of Genetics & Neurology
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Monica Colaiacovo
Professor of Genetics
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Solutioning for People & the Planet – Part 2
Engaging with communities: perspectives from business and faith
Making the Business Case:
Doyle Karr
External Affairs Strategist
DOYLExt LLC
Interfaith Panel:
Imam Dr. Khalil Abdur-Rashid
Muslim Chaplain
Harvard University
Rabbi Getzel Davis
Director of Interfaith Engagement
Harvard University
Reverend Matthew Potts
Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church
Harvard University
Marnie Gelbart*
Director of Programs
Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Moderator
Ignite the Future of Genetics
Awardees selected from the HMS Department of Genetics’ “Ignite the Future of Genetics” competition
Indiana Olson & Hannah Grunwald
Laboratory of Matt Harris
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Daniel Stadtmauer
Laboratory of Cliff Tabin
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
David Cheek & Foivos Chatzidimitriou
Laboratory of Kamila Naxerova
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Himani Galagali
Laboratory of Gary Ruvkun
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Storytelling & Genetics
The power of stories and portrayals in television and film
Wendy Calhoun
Writer/Executive Producer
Edgewood Place Entertainment
Victoria Gray
Patient Advocate
Victoria Gray Speaks
Nicole Perlman
Screenwriter
Uncanny Valley Films, Inc
Robin Bowman*
Director of Education & Engagement
Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
*Moderator
Frontiers of Cancer Biology
Unlocking new understandings of this disease and its progression
Kamila Naxerova
Associate Professor of Genetics
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
The Dark Matter of the Genome
Delving into parts of the genome that baffle
Julia Li
Assistant Professor of Genetics
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Scott Kennedy
Philip and Aya Leder Professor of Genetics
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
AI & the Future of Humanity
Navigating new possibilities and ethical questions for scientists, students, and humanity
Fabienne Mondesir
Science Teacher
Boston Day & Evening Academy
George Church
Robert Winthrop Professor of Genetics
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
From Academia to Industry
Accelerating translation from the laboratory to applications that help people
Don Ingber
Founding Director & Core Faculty,
Wyss Institute
Meeting the Moment
Remarks from Marnie, Cliff, and Dean Daley sparked optimism for the future of research, innovation, and community engagement in genetics.
Marnie Gelbart
Director of Programs
Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
Cliff Tabin
Chair of Genetics
Department of Genetics,
Harvard Medical School
George Q. Daley
Dean
Harvard Medical School
For full descriptions of each talk, download the Event Report.
Learn More About the Forum
Looking Ahead
Originally planned as a one-time event, the program team is already looking to 2026 to sustain and expand the relationships and collaborations sparked by the Forum.
Let’s Get Together
We love collaborating to bring people together! Contact our team at PGED@pged.med.harvard.edu to share your ideas for our next convening.