Forum for Discovery

 Forum for Discovery is JAX's annual opportunity to convene leading researchers pursuing genomic solutions for some of our most pressing health challenges and to thank those who help make it possible. This year's Forum for Discovery featured:

• "State of the Laboratory" update from Lon Cardon, Ph.D., FMedSci, President and CEO.
• Introduction of Mary Dickinson, Ph.D., JAX's inaugural executive vice president and chief scientific officer. Dickinson is a globally recognized geneticist, developmental biologist and bioengineer.
• Research highlights from Ron Korstanje, Ph.D., associate professor, Evnin Family Chair, along with Gretchen Clark, Ph.D., postdoctoral associate in the Korstanje lab, on discoveries that could potentially slow the aging process and improve health lifespan.
• Remarks from Cat Lutz, Ph.D., M.B.A., vice president of the JAX Rare Disease Translational Center (RDTC), Matt Simon, Ph.D., lead scientist and Geri Landman, M.D., M.P.H., pediatrician and founder of Moonshots for Unicorns, on the latest advancements, challenges and achievements in the RDTC's mission to revolutionize therapeutics for the wide range of rare genetic diseases. JAX's approach to rare disease has profound implications for the treatment of more common diseases such as cancer, heart disease and neurodegenerative conditions.

Where

The Jackson Laboratory | Auditorium
600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME
Hybrid Event | Virtual audience via Zoom

Schedule at a Glance

1:30 p.m. | Welcome & Introductions
Emily Schorer, Senior Vice President, Chief of Staff and Chief People Officer

1:40 p.m. | State of the Laboratory
Lon Cardon, Ph.D., FMedSci, President and CEO

1:55 p.m. |Meet Mary Dickinson
Mary Dickinson, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer

2:00 p.m. | Session I: Advancing Horizons: Unraveling the Mysteries of Aging
Ron Korstanje, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Evnin Family Chair
Gretchen Clark, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Associate

2:50 p.m. | Break

3:00 p.m. | Reflections on a Summer at JAX
2024 Summer Student Program Participant

3:10 p.m. | Session II: Journey Towards Hope: Understanding the Rare Disease Odyssey
Cat Lutz, Ph.D., M.B.A., Vice President, Rare Disease Translational Center
Matt Simon, Ph.D., Lead Scientist, Rare Disease Translational Center
Geri Landman, M.D., M.P.H., Pediatrician and Founder of Moonshots for Unicorns

3:55 p.m. | Closing Remarks
Mary Dickinson, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer

4:00 p.m. | Event concludes
Reception and campus tours begin for in-person attendees

5:00 p.m. | Reception concludes