Bridging Biomedical Breakthroughs Summit

The Bridging Biomedical Breakthroughs Summit is a premier biannual event hosted in Fall and Winter quarters by the School of Biological Sciences, in partnership with the Office of Innovation and Commercialization. We bring together a diverse community of life sciences innovators—from students and postdocs to faculty and industry leaders—creating a platform for collaboration between scientific discovery and entrepreneurial vision. Featuring world-renowned investors, CEOs, and faculty as guest speakers, the summit fosters valuable conversations that help translate cutting-edge research into impactful biomedical solutions.

The summit features venture capitalists and CEOs sharing key insights on emerging trends and funding opportunities, helping accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into real-world applications. Faculty entrepreneurs, selected from the Faculty Innovation Pitch, present their groundbreaking research to eminent investors and industry leaders, who offer valuable feedback and guidance. Through this powerful collaboration, we aim to drive health innovation, foster meaningful connections, and tackle global challenges.

Date: Friday, Nov. 7, 2025

Hosted by: School of Biological Sciences, in partnership with School of Medicine, and Office of Innovation and Commercialization

Theme: Innovations in rare disease, and cell and gene therapies

Time: 1:00-5:30 p.m.

Location: Kavli Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Tata Hall

Registration

Agenda:

• 1:00-1:30: Check-In and Networking
• 1:30-1:35: Welcome Remarks
  • Barbara Jung, M.D., Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean, School of Medicine, UC San Diego
• 1:35-2:25: CEO Fireside Chat, moderated by Sara Werner, PhD, Executive Director, Strategic Programs, School of Biological Sciences, UC San Diego
  • David Wellis, PhD, CEO, FreMon Scientific, Inc.
  • Yael Weiss, PhD, CEO, Mahzi Therapeutics
• 2:25-3:15: VC Confidential Panel, moderated by Jason Spark, Chief Biotech Officer, Inizio Evoke
  • Sergio Duron, PhD, Managing Partner, Avalon BioVentures
• 3:15-3:30: Break
• 3:30-4:20: Faculty Entrepreneur Presentations
  • 3:30-3:35: Introductions by Arshad Desai, PhD, Chair, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, UC San Diego and Professor, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UC San Diego Health Science
  • 3:35-3:45: Paul Grossfeld, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, UC San Diego (Grossfeld Lab)
  • 3:45-3:55: Uri Manor, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, UC San Diego (Manor Lab)
  • 3:55-4:05: Matthew Shtrahman, M.D., PhD, Assistant Professor, Neurosciences, School of Medicine, UC San Diego (Shtrahman Lab)
  • 4:05-4:20: Q&A moderated by Melissa Hoon, Director, Corporate Relations and Professional Development, School of Biological Sciences, UC San Diego
• 4:20-4:30: Closing Remarks
  • Paul Roben, PhD, Associate Vice Chancellor, Innovation and Technology Commercialization, UC San Diego
• 4:30-5:30: Hosted Networking Reception

Faculty Presenter Research Areas:

Paul Grossfeld, M.D.

Professor of Pediatrics, School of Medicine

Grossfeld Lab

Dr. Paul Grossfeld’s lab investigates the genetic causes of congenital heart defects, particularly hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). In ETS1 knockout mice displaying a non-compaction phenotype due to reduced myocyte proliferation, his team identified three novel factors that promote cardiomyocyte growth. These factors not only improve non-compaction in mice but may also stimulate regeneration in adult hearts following myocardial infarction. This research reveals promising molecular targets for heart repair and regeneration, offering hope for therapeutic interventions across pediatric and adult cardiac conditions.

Uri Manor, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences

Manor Lab

Dr. Uri Manor studies the cellular and molecular basis of sensory and neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on developing therapies for hearing loss, a condition affecting over 1.5 billion people and a major modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. His lab discovered that psychoplastogens (psychedelics) can regenerate synapses in the inner ear lost due to aging. They developed a high-throughput screening platform using advanced microscopy and a proprietary deep-learning automated image analysis to identify compounds that promote this neural plasticity. The lab aims to pioneer a “prime-and-rescue” paradigm, using psychoplastogens, alone or with gene therapy, to restore hearing and potentially treat other neurodegenerative disorders.

Matthew Shtrahman, M.D., PhD

Assistant Professor, Neurosciences, School of Medicine

Shtrahman Lab

Dr. Matthew Shtrahman’s lab explores AAV (adeno-associated virus) biology and its application in gene therapy. His research focuses on optimizing AAV vector design, improving gene delivery efficiency, and reducing immune responses. By studying host-virus interactions at a mechanistic level, the lab aims to enhance the safety and efficacy of AAV-based therapeutics for genetic and acquired diseases. The goal is to expand the potential of gene therapy through novel engineering approaches, making it a viable treatment for a broader range of patients and conditions.