2023 Spring
Senior Executive Conference

Spatial Biology: A New Dimension

April 30 – May 2, 2023

Boston, Massachusetts

The Mandarin Oriental

ALDA’s 2023 Spring Senior Executive Conference topic is Spatial Biology: A New Dimension. Recently dubbed “the next revolution in understanding health and disease” and the “hottest field in biomedicine” spatial biology has seen rapid growth in popularity. An increasing number of scientists are finding spatial biology extremely useful for studying oncology, immune-oncology, neurobiology, and infectious disease.

ALDA members will take a deeper dive into this highly relevant topic, focusing on everything from basic research and discovery applications to the numerous clinical, translational, and pathology opportunities. Sessions will also discuss the challenges involved in the science, including a focus on data & informatics. These topical sessions will, as always, be accompanied by bookend top-tier keynote speakers and best-in-class networking that you can only find at an ALDA conference.

ALDA’s semi-annual meetings are for presidents, CEOs, COOs, and senior executives from our member companies.

Stay tuned for updates on the conference program, speakers, and events.

Sunday, April 30

6-9:15 p.m.
Welcome Reception and seated dinner.

Andrew Busch
Economist; Former CMIO, U.S. Government; Author

“Where do we go from here?” is the question Andrew Busch answers on the economy, business and government policy. He breaks down today’s chaos to provide specific ideas how organizations and investors can overcome, adapt and thrive.

Andrew was the first Chief Market Intelligence Officer (CMIO) for the U.S. government at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). As CMIO, he was charged with improving and enhancing the government’s understanding of the markets. Mr.
Busch provided briefings to the White House and Congressional leaders on a wide range of issues including the economy, stock market direction, interest rates and China’s influence on the global commodity markets.

Andrew will share all the latest on these topics and more with ALDA attendees.

Monday, May 1

9 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Spatial Biology programming | All sessions will take place in the same room; several networking breaks are built into today’s programming.

Spatial Biology: Overview and Key Issues
Peter Sorger, Ph.D

Head of Therapeutic Sciences, Professor of Systems Biology at Harvard University

Dr. Peter Sorger will frame the day’s discussion by sharing his historical perspective on spatial biology while also diving into current trends and what’s to come. As founding head of the Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science (HiTS) and its Laboratory Systems Pharmacology (LSP), Dr. Sorger leads a multi-institutional effort to advance the basic and translational science used to develop new medicines, create novel drug combinations and identify responsive patients. Attendees will gain insights into the key issues shaping this science as Dr. Sorger sets the stage for the rest of the day’s sessions.

Basic Research/Discovery Applications
Christopher E. Mason, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Physiology and Biophysics

Weill Cornell MedicineOne of the first places the new spatial biology technologies are being applied is basic research. This is not necessarily geared toward curing disease, but rather cataloging how cells interact and work together to form tissues and organs. There are multiple major cooperative efforts currently engaged in accomplishing this. Chris Mason from Weill Cornell will give an overview of these projects, including the Human Cell Atlas (HCA) project, the Human BioMolecular Atlas Program HuBMAP initiative and other early-stage applications of the technology. Chris is a Professor of Physiology and Biophysics and prolific genomics researcher at Weill Cornell Medicine, and will share more on the research that he and his colleagues are doing with the new generation of spatial biology tools.

Spatial Applications: From Translational to Clinical
Ioannis Vlachos, PhD

Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
Director of Spatial Technologies, HMS Initiative for RNA Medicine

For years, pathologists have used conventional spatial methods such as staining with dyes or labeled antibodies to study patient samples and diagnoses. There is lots of debate regarding whether/when the new methods will be used in the clinic. Professor Vlachos will share his thoughts on the path from applying these traditional pathology methods to the higher-plex methods now available. Attendees will learn more regarding how applications in translational research could lead to applications in clinical trials and then ultimately in clinical practice. Dr. Vlachos will share perspectives on recent history of the field, the current state of the art, and his outlook for the next five to ten years.

George Church, Ph.D.
Robert Winthrop Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, Professor of Health Sciences and Technology at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology

George Church, Ph.D., often referred to as the “Founding Father of Genomics,” will join us to discuss his pioneering work in spatial biology and genomics and take questions from attendees spanning his accomplished career and numerous scientific contributions.

Among his recent work is development of a technology for synthesizing whole genes, and engineering whole genomes, far faster, more accurate, and less costly than current methods. George is widely recognized for his innovative contributions to genomic science and his many pioneering contributions to chemistry and biomedicine. In 1984, he developed the first direct genomic sequencing method, which resulted in the first genome sequence (the human pathogen, H. pylori). He helped initiate the Human Genome Project in 1984 and the Personal Genome Project in 2005.

ALDA at Fenway

In addition to the content, ALDA conferences offer one-of-a-kind networking opportunities with industry executives. New for this conference only, our Monday event networking activity will take place at Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox baseball team. The Red Sox are playing the Toronto Blue Jays, and ALDA attendees will have exclusive access to private event space in the stadium—the 521 Overlook. Attendees will enjoy a reception and dinner, as well as sweeping views of Fenway Park for those who want to watch the game in one of America’s most historic ballparks. This outing is included with your registration.

Tuesday, May 2

8-9:15 a.m.

Closing Keynote Session with guest speaker:

Arianna Huffington

Founder of The Huffington Post, Founder and CEO of Thrive Global

ALDA is thrilled to welcome Arianna Huffington to discuss lessons in leadership and the latest in new media and tech.

Arianna has been named to Time Magazine’s list of the world’s 100 most influential people and the Forbes Most Powerful Women list. She also is the author of 15 books, including “Thrive” and “The Sleep Revolution.”

In 2016, she launched Thrive, a leading behavior change tech company with the mission of changing the way we work and live by ending the collective delusion that burnout is the price we must pay for success.

First attendee from your company:
$2,795

Additional attendees from your company:
$2,295

Boston, Massachusetts, US
The Mandarin Oriental
776 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

The Mandarin Oriental, Boston combines classic New England elegance with refined Oriental touches to create one of the most distinctive hospitality experiences in the region. A short 15-minute drive from Logan International Airport, the hotel connects guests to the city’s finest shopping, cultural venues, and business institutions from its prime location in the heart of Boston’s chic Back Bay on Boylston Street.
»Contact the Hotel. Unfortunately, our block is sold out, but the hotel has limited rooms available at a higher rate. Please contact Carol Starke for alternate hotels.

What can I expect?

Powerful connections and world-class speakers you can experience only at ALDA events.

When is the conference?

We begin Sunday, April 30 at 6 p.m. with a business-oriented speaker and dinner. The conference wraps up with our keynote speaker on Tuesday, May 2 around 9:30 a.m.

Who should attend?

Presidents, CEOs, COOs and senior executives from ALDA member companies. Spouses are also welcome to attend the Sunday and Monday dinners and the closing session on May 2.

**This conference is for ALDA members only. If you are interested in attending and are a non-member, please contact ALDA staff regarding membership and the necessary next steps.

What is the cost to attend?

First attendee from your company: $2,795
Each additional attendee: $2,295

Where can I stay?

ALDA had a room block available at the host hotel, The Mandarin Oriental, Boston. »Contact the Hotel. As of March, 2023: unfortunately, our block is sold out, but you can contact the hotel for available limited rooms at a higher rate. Please contact Carol Starke for alternate hotels.

I have more questions – who can I contact?

Please contact Carol Starke, ALDA Meetings and Administration Manager, via email.

2023 SpringSenior Executive Conference