Issue-007 · · Sakina Saif, M.S. , Vishwa Talati , Valisha Shah , Samantha Klasfeld, Ph.D. · 8 min read
Issue 007: June 2026
Summer is in full swing, and as our community continues to grow, we’re excited to bring you another edition of the Boston Women in Bioinformatics newsletter packed with inspiration, opportunities, and ways to connect.
This month, we’re reflecting on the wonderful connections made at our Lunch Meetup and Festival of Genomics networking events, inviting speakers to participate in an upcoming Return-to-Work Panel, gearing up for an exciting Lightning Talks event, and unveiling the inaugural BWIB Fall Fundraiser!
Thank you for being such an important part of this vibrant community. We hope you enjoy this month’s light reading and feel energized to engage and share in the excitement of helping BWIB continue to thrive.
Here’s what’s inside this month:
- Call for Speakers
- Coffee with CompBio
- Events on the Horizon
- Partner Events
- Events Reflections
- Get Involved
- Executive Board
- Social Media
Call for Speakers
The BWIB Advocacy Committee is looking for women in the Bioinformatics field to join our “Return to Work” panel in October 2026 (Date TBD).
We are looking for professionals to share their experiences after having taken a break in their careers, whether it was voluntary or involuntary (also includes professionals who were on maternity leaves). We are hoping that your experience will help women going through the same right now and give them a direction on how they can navigate their careers. If you are interested in being a panelist, please fill this form.
Application deadline: August 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm EST
If you have any questions about the panel, please feel free to reach out to the advocacy team ashastry@boston-wib.org or advocacy@boston-wib.org
Coffee with CompBio: Wired Different - An Exploration of Neurodiversity in Bioinformatics
We spend a lot of time in bioinformatics talking about diversity in our datasets. But what about diversity in the minds doing the science? In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we explore an important topic that is often overlooked in scientific workplaces: neurodiversity in bioinformatics.
Host Dina Issakova sits down with Isabella Charroon and Lorena Pantano to talk about ADHD, autism, and what neurodivergent thinking brings to bioinformatics.
Also check out the patient-centred work happening at CAMH’s WPPM Lab, which Isabella highlights in the episode!
Events on the Horizon
Lightning Talks with Boston Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
 |
|
The speakers are in, the schedule is set, and seats are going fast. Join BWIB and Boston Computational Biology & Bioinformatics on June 29 at CIC Boston for an evening of Lightning Talks, sponsored by Seqera. Five minutes each, topics spanning single-cell methods, cancer genomics, biobank-scale research, AI-assisted bioinformatics, and more. Space is limited, so grab your spot before it fills up.
Boston Women in Bioinformatics Family Day at Danehy Park
 |
|
Pack your sunscreen because Boston Women In Bioinformatics is hosting an outdoor hangout at Danehy Park in Cambridge this summer! Whether you’re flying solo or bringing the whole crew, soak in the fresh air and catch up with your fellow bioinformatics peers. Free parking is available right at the park, and the Alewife Red Line stop is a short walk away for those taking the T.
Fall Fundraiser
 |
|
Women’s health is one of the fastest-growing sectors in biotech, and the science driving that growth runs on data. This fall, Boston Women in Bioinformatics is gathering to celebrate what our community is building and to connect the people building it. Join us on September 29th for a panel discussion over dinner, networking, and a raffle with researchers, industry scientists, and data professionals who are shaping what comes next.
This is one of our rare ticketed events. Ticket sales directly fund the community programming and resources we provide year-round. Want to help make it happen? We’re looking for volunteers! Reach out to Sammy or Liyang on Slack, or email events@boston-wib.org.
Partner Events
No Recombination without Representation
MIT Museum, Central Square Theater, and the City of Cambridge | Central Square Theater | June 21
Where science meets the stage, history becomes unforgettable. Step back in time with a theatrical staging about discovery, trust in science, and the importance of civic engagement in honor of the 50th anniversary of the impassioned Recombinant DNA Debates at Cambridge’s City Hall. You can find more info on performances here.
Evaluation of epistasis detection methods for quantitative phenotypes by Stanislav Listopad
Bioinformatics and AI XChange | Virtual | June 27, 10:00 AM
Join Bioinformatics & AI Exchange for a virtual seminar in which Stanislav Listopad explores the genetic architecture of complex traits and disease. This talk explores how interactions between genes may contribute to complex human traits and diseases. Using both simulated datasets and real-world behavioral data, the study compares several computational methods for detecting genetic interactions and highlights the strengths and limitations of each approach. More information here.
Events Reflections
Byte and Bite: Bioinformatics Lunch Meetup
Gather over plates and talk of genes,
of data pipelines and in-betweens.
The food is warm, the company bright,
Women in bioinformatics, doing it right.
Festival of Genomics Networking
Samantha Klasfeld, Ph.D. • June 4, 2026
Like a storm rolling in, our networking event started quietly, but after some last-minute logistics, the room was absolutely buzzing. Several brilliant women even joined us spontaneously straight off the conference floor, staying to engage in deep professional conversations that will hopefully lead to lasting connections.
Thank you to everyone who carved out time to show up in the middle of a busy conference morning! For over ten years, BWIB has grown as a powerful network where women at all career stages lift each other as they rise. Our conversations pulsed with the energy of being at the center of something much bigger, ranging from tackling the gap in women’s healthcare outcomes to how female leadership across medicine will change the game.
Ultimately, the event was a powerful reminder that when women in bioinformatics connect, we don’t just share a space, we drive the entire field forward.
Take Up Space: Building Presence and Confidence in High-Stakes Moments
Liyang Diao • June 9, 2026
We gathered together for a candid discussion on “taking up space” whether it be with PIs, senior executives, investors, or partners.
Led by Joanna Ghayad, PharmD, PCC and attended by a diverse group of women from all different backgrounds, our workshop provided practical strategies for overcoming the impulse to self-edit in high-stakes conversations, and left the group feeling prepared and empowered.
Beyond that, though, the workshop provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with other women in the bioinformatics (and adjacent!) community, and to discuss with candor shared challenges, offering support and solutions.
Please stay connected!
Get Involved
Boston Women in Bioinformatics runs entirely on volunteer energy, and we’re always looking for passionate people to join us. From organizing events and producing the podcast to managing finances and advocating for equity in the field, there’s a place for every skill set. Learn more at boston-wib.org/about/committees
🏛️ Executive Board
Social Media
- Slack: boston-women-bioinfo
- Email: communications@boston-wib.org
- LinkedIn: Boston-area Women in Bioinformatics
- Lu.ma: Boston Women in Bioinformatics
- Blue Sky Boston Women in Bioinformatics
- Location: Boston Area, Massachusetts