Bridging Biomedical Breakthroughs Summit
Translating science into impact through cross-sector collaboration
Step into the intersection of discovery and impact. The School of Biological Sciences Bridging Biomedical Breakthroughs Summit convenes biannually to bring leaders across industry, academia, and innovation together, driving what’s next in science and exploring how bold ideas accelerate from the lab to real-world application.
The 3rd Bridging Biomedical Breakthroughs Summit
Join us to connect, collaborate, and spark the next breakthroughs in neuroscience.
Friday, June 5, 2026
- Main Program: 1:00-3:30 p.m. in Kavli Auditorium
- Networking Reception: 3:30-5:30 p.m. in NSB Atrium
- Theme: Innovations in Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Audience: Open to industry, faculty, staff, postdocs, and students
Thank you to sponsors: Mintz, BrainMind, Lionheart Ventures, and Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Hosted by the School of Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, and Office of Innovation and Commercialization
June 2026 Program Highlights
Origin Story: From Discovery to Impact
Join founder Jeanne Loring, PhD, and Aspen Neuroscience's original leaders as they share how they turned a small lab into a pioneering force in regenerative medicine, developing dopamine neuron replacement therapies for Parkinson’s disease, raising millions, navigating setbacks, and delivering the first patient transplant in 2024.
What's Fundable In Neuroscience Today
Dive into the frontier of neuroscience innovation with top investors and legal experts to explore the biggest questions in neuroscience, including AI in neurology, neurodegeneration, and psychedelics for mental health, discovering what it takes to move an idea from concept to a fundable opportunity.
Faculty Innovation Pitches
Engage with select UC San Diego Neurobiology and Neurosciences faculty as they pitch their transformative research, bringing their bold ideas to life. Participate in audience Q&A and experience firsthand how critical feedback from leaders across industry, investment, legal, and academia shapes breakthrough discoveries into real-world impact.
Networking Reception
After the Summit, the momentum continues at our hosted reception that brings together leaders from industry, investment, legal, and academia. Connect, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships that can accelerate the translation of research into tangible solutions, all over beverages and heavy hors d’oeuvres.
Faculty Presenters
Loren Looger, PhD
Dr. Looger is a Professor of Neurosciences and his research focuses on developing next-generation ketamine analogs (“ketamine 2.0”) with improved antidepressant efficacy, reduced dissociation, lower toxicity, and longer-lasting effects. Preclinical mouse studies demonstrate enhanced therapeutic profiles, positioning this work with strong translational potential to enable safer, scalable, at-home treatment options for depression.
His presentation goal at the Bridging Biomedical Breakthroughs Summit is to support regulatory-enabling studies (e.g., GLP toxicology, IND-enabling work) or preparation for clinical trials.
Gulcin Pekkurnaz, PhD
Dr. Pekkurnaz is an Associate Professor of Neurobiology and her research focuses on how neurons maintain metabolic resilience through mitochondrial function, nutrient sensing, and metabolic plasticity, and why these processes fail in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. Her work identifies early, targetable bioenergetic vulnerabilities and cell-specific mechanisms, enabling translational strategies to restore energy homeostasis and enhance neuronal resilience.
Her presentation resentation goal at the Bridging Biomedical Breakthroughs Summit is to advance preclinical studies or proof-of-concept work for a therapeutic, diagnostic, or technology platform.
Karen Pierce, PhD
Dr. Pierce is a Professor in Residence in the Department of Neurosciences. Her research focuses on understanding early brain development in autism, and uses eye tracking to understand how early experience shapes developmental outcomes. Her Get SET Early eye-tracking platform enables rapid, objective identification of developmental risk, predicts severity, and supports precision interventions, offering scalable clinical tools for early diagnosis of autism and monitoring.
Her presentation goal at the Bridging Biomedical Breakthroughs Summit is to advance commercialization through partnerships.
Monique Smith, PhD
Dr. Smith is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Neurobiology and Neurosciences, and is a Professor with the Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion.
Her research focuses on how social relationships influence brain function, physiology, and health through neural circuits that transmit pain, analgesia, and emotional states between individuals. These pathways reprogram immune function, microbiome composition, and tissue repair. Her work has strong translational potential for interventions targeting postpartum depression and maternal recovery after birth injury.
Her presentation goal at the Bridging Biomedical Breakthroughs Summit is to advance preclinical studies or proof-of-concept work for a therapeutic, diagnostic, or technology platform.
Save-the-Date: Fall 2026
Bridging Biomedical Breakthroughs Summit: Innovations in Oncology
- Date: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026
- Time: 1:00-6:30 p.m.
- Location: Kavli Auditorium and Tata Terrace, 3rd Floor, Tata Hall, UC San Diego campus
- Registration: Submit this form to receive a reminder to register when registration opens on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026
Participation Opportunities:
- Interested in sponsoring this event? Contact mhoon@ucsd.edu.
- Are you a UC San Diego faculty member interested in presenting your translational oncology research at this event? Apply to present at the Fall 2026 Faculty Innovation Pitch. Select facutly will advance to present at the Fall 2026 Bridging Biomedical Breakthroughs Summit.
Contact
Questions or interested in making an impact by sponsoring this event? Reach out to Melissa Hoon, Director, Corporate Relations and Professional Development, School of Biological Sciences.