Sir Richard Roberts
1993 Nobel Prize Winner in Physiology or Medicine and CSO at New England Biolabs
FIRST EDITION
BALSA Annual Meeting
The Age of Bio: Brazilian Roots, Global Impact
A day bringing Brazilian leaders in U.S. life sciences together for mentorship, exchange, and new opportunities.
SEP 19, 2026SEPTEMBER 19, 2026
Saturday at 1:30 PMSaturday, starting at 1:30 PM
BOSTON, MA
Crowe Boston office · 100 High St, 9th floor
At capacityInvite-only event
THE PROGRAM
What you'll find
Founders & executivesSenior scientistsStudentsRising talentInvestors
Connections and exchange
Leaders in the life sciences
Science Talks powered by Promega
Awards & honors
Confirmed names
Bruna Paulsen
VP of Manufacturing and Therapeutic Development at Gameto
Marcel Frenkel
Co-Founder and CEO at Ten63 Therapeutics
Marcelo Bigal
President and CEO at Ventus Therapeutics
THE SCHEDULE
Saturday, September 19
1:30
Check-in and opening
Registration and a short welcome from BALSA.
2:15
Opening panel
From Brazil to leadership in U.S. life sciences.
3:05
Science Talks powered by Promega
Four Brazilian scientists present their research.
4:05
Coffee break and speed mentoring
One-on-one time with leaders in their field.
5:05
Keynote panel
A conversation with a Nobel Award winner.
5:55
The inaugural BALSA Crossing Award
Award presentation followed by a fireside chat with the recipient.
6:45
Closing ceremony
Final words and acknowledgements to those who made the first edition happen.
7:00
Happy hour
Informal conversation and networking.
THE THEME
The Age of Bio: Brazilian Roots, Global Impact
We have entered the Age of Bio, when advances in biology are reshaping how we treat disease, develop medicines, produce food, and protect the environment.
Brazilians are shaping that shift across U.S. academia, industry, government, startups, and investment. Their careers take talent and ambition, plus the quieter work of navigating unfamiliar systems and building networks far from home.
The inaugural meeting brings that talent together. We trace where these careers began and where they are headed through leaders who built influence abroad, next-generation research, mentorship, and conversation.
More than a celebration of where people came from, this is the start of what they can build together: a network that opens doors for those who come next.
Join us in Boston
Registration is closed · At capacity
The interest form for attending the event or presenting research has now closed.
- Attend the Annual Meeting
Request a seat at the event and we will follow up with the details.
- Apply to present your research
Open to undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs.
HONORING IMPACT IN LIFE SCIENCES
The BALSA Crossing Award
An annual honor for a Brazilian who has built a remarkable career in U.S. life sciences and who represents what BALSA stands for. It recognizes a career, not a single project.
Open to Brazilians working in life sciences in the United States, whether in academia, industry, government, nonprofits, startups, or investment funds.
How we evaluate
- 01Impact on the field
What actually changed because of this person's work.
- 02Independent recognition
How their peers and their field regard the work.
- 03Ties to Brazil
A concrete link to Brazil and a real contribution to the Brazilian community.
TEAM
The people putting this together
Click a photo to read their bio.
Annual Meeting sponsors and partners
Get in touch
Would you like to sponsor the event or partner with us? We would love to hear from you.