The inaugural class of Schmidt Science Fellows convened for the second Global Meeting of their Fellowship year in Cambridge, Massachusetts last month. The meeting, hosted by Harvard University, MIT, and the Broad Institute, built on the Fellowship’s first-ever meeting, in Oxford, UK, held last summer.

The Cambridge Global Meeting presented a unique opportunity for the Fellows to meet with and learn from experts in science communication, policy engagement, interdisciplinary science leadership, and institutional strategy development.

Fellows were able to engage with some of the world-leading scientists who call the labs and facilities of Cambridge home. Highlights included a discussion with David Liu and Feng Zhang on the development and potential of CRISPR, a conversation with Eric Lander on leadership, and visits to MIT.nano and the Broad Institute’s sequencing center. Fellows also engaged in a full-day workshop with the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science.

Schmidt Science Fellow, Dr Jina Ko, commented: “Each of our Global Meetings so far have proved to be amazing opportunities, exposing us to new people, different fields, and a broader community. Our week in Cambridge helped me to walk outside the small box of my daily life and think more deeply and broadly about what I want to do, what I need to do, and what I can do as a scientist.”

View the video above, read our Fellows’ blogs and explore the photo gallery below for more insights into the Global Meeting and the experiences of the Schmidt Science Fellows.

Schmidt Science Fellows attend four convenings as a cohort during their fellowship year. This Global Meeting Series is held around the world to enable our Fellows to engage with new concepts, to visit leading science facilities, and to have a dialogue with internationally-renowned thought-leaders from science, business, policy, and society.

The 2018 Schmidt Science Fellows will be gathering again in February 2019, in Northern California, for their next Global Meeting.

Dr Jina Ko: Walking outside the box

Each of our Global Meetings so far have proved to be an amazing getaway, helping me briefly forget about my daily life in lab and expose myself to new people, different fields, and a broader community. Read more

Dr Wes Fuhrman: Cambridge in a nutshell

On day one, we shared knowing smiles – an unspoken feeling that this audacious thing we’re a part of is working. We were ready and eager to take in whatever Harvard, MIT, and the Broad Institute could throw at us. Read more

The 2018 Class of Schmidt Science Fellows, with Executive Director, Dr Megan Wheeler, at their second Global Meeting in Cambridge, MA.
Events during the Global Meeting included a formal dinner at the Harvard Museum of Natural History
Fellows took the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues across their cohort
Fellows visited the Harvard Visualization Lab to experience the latest technology in virtual and augmented reality. The tour included the Immersive Visualization Facility.
Fellows visited the Harvard Visualization Lab to experience the latest technology in virtual and augmented reality
Fellows visited the Harvard Visualization Lab to experience the latest technology in virtual and augmented reality
The Schmidt Science Fellows experienced a communication workshop from the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. The inaugural class were fortunate to be able to meet and learn first-hand from Alan himself.
A number of 2018 Schmidt Science Fellows are on placement in the Boston and Cambridge area. This meant their PIs were able to join events, including the formal dinner at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Here, Fellows Dr Mattia Serra and Dr Ryan Truby are in conversation with Ryan's PI, Prof Daniela Rus.
Fellows Dr Jielai Zhang and Dr Hal Holmes in conversation with Prof John Holdren
The Global Meeting included leading experts with years of experience in science and policy making, which they shared with our Fellows. Here Prof Ernest Moniz, former US Secretary of Energy, shares a panel with former CIA Director, Prof John Deutch.
Prof Maria Zuber, VP for Research at MIT, and Prof Richard McCullough, VP for Research at Harvard, discuss institutional research leadership and strategy development.
Fellows Dr Adi Steiff, Dr Hal Holmes, and Dr Xiwen Gong, in conversation with Prof Richard McCullough, VP of Research at Harvard.
Schmidt Science Fellows gain insights into how scientists can influence policy development and accelerate the impact of their work. Fellow Dr Abi Groff is talking here to Harvard University's Director of Federal Relations, Jon Groteboer.