Boston Women in Bioinformatics's Newsletter

Issue 006: May 2026

Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Community, connections, and what's coming next.

The show must go on, and it turns out so must our event calendar. This month we're giving you the full production: casual networking, professional development, our first-ever family day, lightning talks with a competitive edge, and a literal theater partnership because apparently the history of science is the drama. Oh, and April was genuinely great. We've got the reflections to prove it. Here's your program.

Here's what's inside this month:

Events Reflections
Events on the Horizon
Coffee with CompBio: Behind the Interview Table
Blogs
Partner Events
Get Involved
Executive Board
Social Media

Events Reflections

Networking Without the Ick: Craft a Networking Introduction That Feels Good and Sounds Like You By

Samantha Klasfeld, Ph.D. • April 21,2026

From networking to interviews to meetings with new collaborators, introducing yourself is something we all have to do in professional settings, and the vocabulary we choose can shape how others understand our strengths. However, finding language that feels both accurate and authentic is surprisingly challenging. In this professional development workshop facilitated by Jenn Felsted-Knight, PhD, PCC of Felsted Coaching & Consulting, we approached this task as a group. We practiced out loud, gave each other feedback, and brainstormed ways to project confidence. A huge thank you to Jenn for her generosity and expertise, Viveka Patil for coordinating our partnerships, and Northeastern GWISE and the Northeastern Graduate Biotechnology-Bioinformatics Association (GBBA) for sponsoring free tickets for students. Participants left with introductions shaped in their own voice and a deeper sense of identity to carry into the moments that define us as professionals.

Bits & Brews @ Tap 151

Samantha Klasfeld, Ph.D. • April 24,2026

Boston Women in Bioinformatics's Bits and Brews at Tap 151 in Cambridge Crossing.

Bits & Brews was exactly what it promised: sugary drinks, tasty apps, and an excuse to finally put faces to Slack handles. I migrated from one end of the long wooden table to the other (and helped myself to some abandoned fried pickles and chips along the way) to squeeze in conversations with as many people as possible. The "tea" was flowing, straight from the women in the trenches of biotech and pharma's AI transition, but for the full scoop you'll just have to come to our next networking event. Thank you to Emily Lachtara and Valisha Shah for organizing!

Seqera Nexflow Summit

Genevieve Baddoo • April 30-May 1,2026

Boston Women in Bioinformatics's at Nextflow Summit in Boston

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending the Seqera Nextflow Summit 2026 in Boston representing Boston Women in Bioinformatics - and it was honestly one of the most fun and energizing conferences I've been to!

Beyond the incredible speaker talks, keynote insights, and exciting updates in the Nextflow ecosystem, the highlight for me was the community. The summit had a smaller, more intimate feel, which made it so much easier to have real, meaningful conversations with the people around you - something that's hard to replicate at a massive conference. The Nextflow community seems really welcoming and friendly online, and I felt that during the summit. Whether you're new to Nextflow or an expert, there's a place for everyone to learn and grow together!

If you're on the job market or just thinking about your next career move, bioinformatics conferences like this one are invaluable for networking. One of my biggest takeaways: talk to people at companies you're curious about. You'll learn so much more about a role or a team through a conversation than hours of Googling. Networking for the sake of genuine connection is what makes you memorable when opportunities do come up.

In a field where so much of our work happens behind a screen, being in a room with like-minded people is a reminder that we're not figuring this out alone. I usually attend the Nextflow summits virtually, but I highly recommend attending in person whenever you can.

To everyone I met at the summit, it was great meeting you. I hope to see more BWIB members at a Nextflow Summit or other events in the future!

Events on the Horizon

Byte and Bite: Bioinformatics Lunch Meetup

May 29, 2026, 12:00 PM
Bow Market, Somerville, MA
Register

Tired of eating lunch alone at your desk? Whether you're deep in pipelines or just bioinformatics-curious, join us for a relaxed afternoon of good food, great company, and vibes.

Festival of Genomics Networking

June 4, 2026 @ 11:30 AM
Genome Dome, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
Event Page

If you’re attending the Festival of Genomics in Boston, come find us in the Genome Dome. We’re hosting a structured speed networking session with women working across bioinformatics, research, and industry. The format is simple: fast, one-on-one conversations with one goal: walk away with one memorable detail about every person you meet. Not just a new connection, but a real reason to follow up. Bring something to write with.

Take Up Space: Building Presence and Confidence in High-Stakes Moments

June 9, 2026 @ 4-6 PM
Northeastern Crossing, 1175 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120
Event Page

Getting taken seriously in high-stakes moments like tough Q&As, senior stakeholder meetings, and make-or-break conversations is its own skill. Executive career coach Joanna Ghayad is back to help you build it. Early career or seasoned, this one is for you.

Lightning Talks with Boston Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

June 29, 2026 @ 6-8 PM
Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC)
5th floor, 1 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02142

Boston Women in Bioinformatics is teaming up with Seqera and Boston Computational Biology & Bioinformatics for an evening of community Lightning Talks, and we're especially excited to spotlight the rockstar women in bioinformatics across both communities. Speakers have five minutes to present on any topic in bioinformatics: your current research, a workflow that changed how you work, the AI agent you've been obsessing over, a dataset you think everyone should know about, or a tool you wish someone had shown you sooner. Start thinking now about what you'd talk about if you had five minutes and a room full of people who get it. Stay tuned for the submission form.

Boston Women in Bioinformatics Family Day at Danehy Park

Date & Time: TBA
Danehy Park

Pack your sunscreen because Boston Women In Bioinformatics is hosting an outdoor hangout at Danehy Park in Cambridge this spring! 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. Date and time coming soon, keep an eye on your inbox and our socials!

Coffee with CompBio: Behind the Interview Table

Turns out "we'll be in touch" is not just a villain origin story, it's a whole process, and ArkeaBio's Lauren Fitch and Kaye Guerard-Hatziioannou are here to explain every step of it. Consider this your cheat code for the bioinformatics job market.

Blogs

Getting Started with UK Biobank and All of Us
Tutorial Series by Samantha J. Klasfeld, Ph.D.
The Biobank Intro Series is complete. All posts, covering everything from compute setup to genetic data extraction in the UK Biobank Research Analysis Platform and All of Us Researcher Workbench, two trusted research environments (secure, access-controlled platforms for analyzing sensitive health data), are now collected in one place. If you've been following along, feel free to reach out to Samantha Klasfeld on our slack if you liked it or have any questions. If you're just finding it, this is your sign to get started.

Member Spotlight: Sharvari Narendra
Interview by Dana Moochnick
She moved across the world, questioned everything, and stayed anyway. Dana sits down with podcast co-chair Sharvari Narendra for a conversation about what finding your footing in bioinformatics actually looks like when nothing about the path feels certain.

Member Spotlight: Aysheh Alrfooh
Interview by Sharvari Narendra
Sharvari sits down with Career-Sponsorship co-chair Aysheh Alrfooh for a wide-ranging conversation on methylation, mentorship, and movies, and she leaves us with a two-truths-and-a-lie that we are still thinking about.

Want to see your name here? We're always looking for new voices. You don't need citations, a polished draft, or even a complete idea — just something you've been thinking about. Reach out to the us at the communications committee to get started.

Partner Events

The Scientist's Guide to Personal Branding by Tommy Tang
Bioinformatics and AI XChange | Virtual | May 16, 10:00 AM
What if showing up online consistently could change the trajectory of your career? Ming "Tommy" Tang, Director of Bioinformatics at AstraZeneca, has spent 800+ days posting daily on LinkedIn, and the results speak for themselves: inbound interest from VCs, founders, and advisory board invitations. In his upcoming talk, he breaks down the three habits behind it, covering consistent social media presence, blogging, and building the right professional connections. You can expect practical tactics most scientists never hear about, including what to post, how to tell your story, and why that blog you wrote 10 years ago still matters. Register here.

No Recombination without Representation
MIT Museum, Central Square Theater, and the City of Cambridge | Central Square Theater | June 13, June 14, & 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.

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

🪴 Branching Out: The BWIB April 2026 Edition

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:00:01 GMT

Reflections, events, and new opportunities shaping our community this month.

We're back with another edition of the BWIB newsletter. This month we're saying a fond farewell to our LinkedIn Group as we consolidate our online home, shining a spotlight on another leader in our community, and reflecting on a packed season of events. We've also got career wisdom from the other side of the interview table, fresh blogs, partner events, and plenty of ways to get involved. Grab your boba and dig in.

Here's what's inside this month:

Farewell to our Linked in Group
Member Spotlight: Aysheh Alrfooh
Events Reflections
Events on the Horizon
Coffee with CompBio: Behind the Interview Table
Blogs
Partner Events
Get Involved
Executive Board
Social Media

A Farewell to our Linked in Group

Group chat left on read
Company page glows brand new
Follow us. We're here.

Member Spotlight: Aysheh Alrfooh

An interview as intriguing as her name

She walked away from a career on her second day. She calls a molecule her first love. She’s the co-chair of the BWiB Career-Sponsorship Committee. Somewhere out there, 6.2 million strangers may have already seen the world through her eyes — and they don’t even know it.

In our next Member Spotlight, Sharvari Narendra sits down with Aysheh for a glimpse into a life that refuses to sit still: the choices she almost made, the one she’d make again in a heartbeat, and the quiet philosophy holding it all together. Along the way, she takes us from the lab bench — where she’s chased signals hidden in DNA, from the roots of mental illness to the biology of aging — to the leap from academia into industry, and what AI is quietly rewriting about the field along the way. There’s a trek, a spreadsheet, a family you’ll want to count, and a truth hiding between two others. You’ll think you’ve figured her out. You won’t have.

Coming soon. Bring your curiosity.

Events Reflections

NF-Core hackathon — A First-Timer's Reflection

Cambridge, MA participants at the BWIB-hosted nf-core Hackathon, sponsored by Seqera

Mrunali Thokadiwala • March 11-13,2026

I walked into the nf-core Hackathon with more questions than answers. The goal was to contribute, though I wasn't yet sure what I had to offer. The first two days were humbling: hours of scanning issues, looking for something I could meaningfully address, and quietly closing tabs on threads I couldn't yet navigate. With guidance from Lei Ma (our Boston event host), I submitted my first-ever pull request and finally found my footing. By Day 3, I was implementing a fix rooted in my own single-cell RNA-sequencing experience, which led maintainers to evaluate a more elegant, universal solution within Nextflow itself. Looks like I brought something worth noticing after all.

I'm so glad this was hosted in-person by Lei Ma and the BWIB team. Meeting fellow beginners, talking through first issues, and walking each other through those initial roadblocks made me feel far less alone in the process. Even hearing from experienced folks, some with conventional paths but interesting stories of finding opportunities and others with slightly unconventional trajectories, opened my eyes to just how many ways there are to carve your own path in this field.

Two words for someone on the fence about their first hackathon — just go!

Byte & Bite @ Shy Bird

BWIB's Byte & Bite lunch at Shy Bird in Kendall Square, hosted by BWIB.

Emily Lachtara • March 16,2026

Our latest Byte & Bite lunch was a great success! We had 17 attendees from across the bioinformatics field, including industry professionals, academic researchers, postdocs, and graduate students. It was my first time hosting, and I really couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Everyone was so kind and welcoming, which made it feel easy and fun. The conversations were lively and insightful, and the food made it even better. Huge thanks to Shy Bird for hosting us. I’m already looking forward to the next one!

Single Cell Basics Workshop

Prisni Rath, Liyang Diao & Maryanne Muchuki • April 2-3,2026

We recently hosted our first beginner-friendly, hands-on, virtual workshop on single-cell RNA-seq analysis in collaboration with BWiB and Sprout Informatics. It was incredibly rewarding to see the level of participation and engagement throughout the sessions.

What stood out most was the depth of the questions participants asked — not just about how to run the analysis, but also about why we make certain decisions. From choosing QC thresholds to understanding clustering, and even exploring how different visualization methods like t-SNE and UMAP shape our interpretation of cellular relationships, the discussions were thoughtful and insightful. Together, we worked toward the central biological question: identifying the most abundant cell type in the dataset.

These conversations made the workshop highly interactive and pushed us, as instructors, to reflect more deeply on the science behind each step. From setting up the computational environment to interpreting plots, the experience felt like true data storytelling.

As our first workshop of this kind, we learned just as much as we taught. We're excited to continue building on this experience — exploring more complex datasets and tackling deeper biological questions in future sessions.

Events on the Horizon

Networking Without the Ick Workshop with Jenn

April 21, 2026 @ 5:30 PM
CambridgeSide Mall, Cambridge, MA
Register

You've built pipelines, analyzed datasets, and figured out problems most people don't even know exist. Now let's make it easier to talk about. Dr. Jenn Felsted-Knight, a former neuroscientist and certified professional coach, will walk us through building a networking pitch that actually sounds like you: no personal branding buzzwords, no cringe, just a clear and honest way to communicate the impact you've had. You'll practice out loud in small group rounds and leave with something ready to use. Only 9 spots left. And if you know someone who could use this too, bring them along. Tickets are $10.61. Click "Donate & Tickets" on the givebutter registration page.

Bits & Brews

April 24, 2026 @ 4:00 PM
Tap 151 Bar and Grill, Cambridge, MA
Register

Swap your terminal for a barstool and join us for a casual happy hour where bioinformaticians (and bioinformatics-curious folks) come together to laugh, swap stories, and make the kinds of connections that don’t require a p-value. Come as you are. Leave with new friends, new ideas, and maybe a few good recommendations for your next pipeline. Each guest will be responsible for purchasing their own meal and/or beverages.

Festival of Genomics Networking

June 4, 2026 @ 11:30 AM
Genome Dome, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
Event Page

BCBB & BWIB Lightning Talks

June 2026, date T.B.A.

BWIB is teaming up with Boston Computational Biology & Bioinformatics for an evening of community Lightning Talks this June, and we’re especially excited to spotlight the rockstar women in bioinformatics across both communities. Five minutes, any topic: your current research, a workflow that changed how you work, the AI agent you’ve been obsessing over, a dataset you think everyone should know about, or a tool you wish someone had shown you sooner. Start thinking now about what you’d talk about if you had five minutes and a room full of people who get it. Stay tuned for the venue, date, and submission form.

Coffee with CompBio: Behind the Interview Table

Ever wonder what hiring managers are actually looking for when they review your application or conduct an interview? In our April episode, we sit down with Lauren Fitch and Kaye Guerard-Hatziioannou from ArkeaBio for an honest conversation about the interview process from the interviewer's perspective.

Now here's where you come in. Got a burning question about hiring, interviews, or breaking into the field? Drop it in this Google Form. We'll pick the best one, answer it live on the episode, and give you a shoutout. One question per person · Deadline: April 25, 11:59 PM EST And stay tuned until the end of the episode for a surprise!

Blogs

Getting Started with UK Biobank and All of Us
Tutorial Series by Samantha J. Klasfeld, Ph.D.
This series provides a practical guide to working with UK Biobank and All of Us. Written for researchers who are new to working with these environments, it covers cloud hardware, phenotype data, OMOP concepts, and genetic variant extraction. A wrap-up post is planned to close out the series.

The Rite of Process
Quick Take by Sharvari Narendra
What does it feel like to be a DNA sample moving through a whole genome sequencing pipeline? Reimagine the process from the inside out in this evocative poem.

Partner Events

AI Agents for Biological Discovery: From Spatial Omics to Therapeutics
Bioinformatics XChange | Virtual | April 18, 10:00 AM
Spatial omics datasets are growing faster than teams can analyze them. In this virtual talk, Dr. Ilknur Icke (Head of R&D, Symbiont-AI Cognitive Labs) presents a landscape analysis of 37 AI agent systems, with a deep dive into multi-agent approaches for spatial biology and their links to therapeutic reasoning. Register here.

Nextflow Summit Boston 2026 Seqera | Boston & Online | April 30 – May 1 The annual Nextflow Summit, presented by Seqera, brings together scientists and computational biologists to advance data science and workflow development. This year's Boston edition includes the nf-core Hackathon and Nextflow Training (April 28-29) ahead of the main summit. Academic registration is $100; online attendance is free. In-person registration closes April 17, but you can reach out to communications@boston-wib.org for a promo code. Learn more and register here.

Get Involved

BWIB 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

🌸 Fresh Commits: The BWIB Spring Edition

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:01 GMT

New faces, big updates, and data that matters.

2026 has entered the chat and she is not the one to take things slow. New executive board? Check. Events? Check. New programs, advocacy survey findings, and fresh BWIB developments? Check, check, and check. Buckle up and settle in.

Here's what's inside this month:

Member Spotlight: Sharvari Narendra, M.S.
Welcoming Our 2026 Executive Board
Committee Updates: New Structures, New Voices
Coffee with CompBio: Season 2
Career Mentorship Program Update
Finance Snapshot
Upcoming Events
Events Recap
Advocacy Survey
Hot off the Blog
Inside our Organization Committees
Meet the Executive Board

🌟 Member Spotlight: Sharvari Narendra, M.S.

She moved across the world. Questioned her path. Struggled through coding. And stayed anyway!

Next week, our very own blogger Dana Moochnick sits down with fellow Boston Women in Bioinformatics Podcast Co-Chair Sharvari Narendra for a conversation that is as honest as it is inspiring. From landing in snowy Boston and feeling "immediately enthralled by the opportunities that the air in Boston held," to wondering if she had made the right choice pursuing bioinformatics, Sharvari shares the moments that shaped her growth, including the internship that helped her "re-ignite" her passion for the field. The interview goes in to show how growth in science really looks like. Not polished. Not linear. Real.

Sharvari reflects on finding her voice, building agency in science, navigating the rise of AI which she describes as "so scary and so incredible all at once," and why it is our responsibility to make science more accessible. This interview is vulnerable. It is empowering. And it drops next week.

🎉 Welcoming Our 2026 Executive Board

We're thrilled to introduce BWIB's 2026 executive board! This year brings fresh leadership and renewed energy to our mission of building community for women in bioinformatics.

Officers:

President: Yevgenia Khodor Tolan
Vice President: Lina Faller
Secretary: Minita Shah
Treasurer: Diveena Becker
Board Member: Katie Hughes
Board Member: Francine Camacho
Founder & Immediate Past President: Lorena Pantano

Committee Co-Chairs:

Events: Diveena Becker & Liyang Diao
Communications: Sakina Saif & Samantha Klasfeld
Career-Sponsorship: Aysheh Alrfooh & Peili Zhang
Enabling Advocacy: Amulya Shastry & Viveka Patil
Finance: Diveena Becker
Nominating & Governance: Lina Faller
Podcast: Saba Nafees & Sharvari Narendra

📣 Committee Updates: New Structures, New Voices

We've made some exciting changes to our committee structure to better serve our growing community.

Communications Committee

Our Website and Communications teams have joined forces into one unified Communications Committee, bringing together a powerhouse group with clearly defined roles:

Role	Members
Interviewers	Dana Moochnick, Isha Parikh, Sharvari Narendra
Historian	Emily Kibbler
Website	Samantha Klasfeld, Vishwa Talati, Yaseswini Neelamraju
Social Media	Samantha Klasfeld, Sakina Saif, Yaseswini Neelamraju
Newsletter	Sakina Saif, Samantha Klasfeld, Masoome Rezaei
Communications Analytics	Shreya Rajasekar

It truly takes a village!

Podcast Committee

Say hello to our brand new Podcast Committee, already hard at work on Season 2 of Coffee with CompBio! The team includes Amulya Shastry (editing & management) and Dina Issakova (cover art & social media). Read on for a sneak peek at what's coming this season.

Nominating & Governance Committee

We've formalized a Nominating & Governance Committee to ensure BWIB continues to operate with transparency and accountability. Members include Katie Hughes, Katie D'Aco, and Petra Palenikova, working behind the scenes on board elections, membership structure, and bylaws compliance.

Finance Committee

New this year, the Finance Committee oversees the financial health of BWIB — from budgeting and cash flow to financial filings and evaluating the feasibility of new programs and events. Members include Lorena Pantano and Francine Camacho. Curious about where the money goes? Read on.

🎙️ Coffee with CompBio: Season 2

Coffee with CompBio is BWIB's podcast. In our previous season, Alex and Lorena dug into bioinformatics topics from best practices in R and navigating bad data to project management and scientific collaboration. This year, our new hosts — Saba Nafees, Sharvari Narendra, Amulya Shastry, and Dina Issakova — continue the quest to bring you both the technical and human side of bioinformatics, especially in the AI era. Look out for upcoming episodes on Claude Code, coding for neurodivergent scientists, perspectives of a job recruiter, and more!

💸 Finance Snapshot

BWIB funds its operations through ticketed events, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations. These funds support event food and beverages, small gift cards to boost participation, website maintenance, branded merchandise to increase visibility, and routine expenses such as postage and printing materials. Continued donor support allows us to expand our programming and reach more members of our community. Your contribution directly helps sustain and grow BWIB’s impact. Consider donating here or reach out to communications@boston-wib.org. if your company would like to become a sponsor for future events.

🤝 Career Mentorship Program Update

We’re excited to share that the inaugural Boston Women in Bioinformatics (BWIB) Career Sponsorship Program officially launched in January! The program received a strong response from the BWIB community, with 38 participants expressing interest, including 28 mentees and 10 senior mentors from academia and industry. Following a thoughtful matching process, 10 mentor–mentee pairs were formed.

Each pair will meet regularly for career-focused conversations centered on leadership development, strategic growth, and professional advancement. The program reflects BWIB’s commitment to supporting women as they advance into leadership roles in bioinformatics and fostering a strong, supportive professional network within the community.

We look forward to sharing updates and highlights from the program throughout the year as these mentorship relationships grow and create meaningful career impact.

📆 Upcoming Events

NF-Core Hackathon

Mar 11-13, 2026
Cambridge Side Mall, Cambridge, MA
Register

Nextflow fans, this one's for you! BWIB is helping to host a Boston site for the global nf-core Hackathon at CambridgeSide Mall, March 11–13. Collaborate on Nextflow pipelines, contribute to open-source projects, and connect with the nf-core community in person (or online). All skill levels welcome, though some Nextflow experience is expected. Registration is open now. You will need to sign up in two places, so check out our event page for details.

Byte and Bite: Bioinformatics Lunch Meetup

Mar 16, 2025, 12:00 PM
Shy Bird - Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA
Register

Shake off the last of winter and grab lunch with your fellow bioinformaticians at Shy Bird in Kendall Square! Whether you're deep in pipelines or just bioinformatics-curious, join us for a relaxed afternoon of good food, great company, and springtime vibes.

Single Cell Basics: A 2-Day Hands-On scRNA-seq Workshop

Apr 2–3, 2026, 12:00 PM
Zoom
Register

Have you read scRNA-seq papers but never run the analysis yourself? This beginner-friendly 2-day Zoom workshop, hosted by BWIB and sponsored by Sprout Informatics, will take you from a raw 10x Genomics dataset through QC, clustering, marker gene identification, and cell type assignment — all in your own dedicated cloud environment. Registration is $5, with all proceeds supporting BWIB.

🌄 Events Recap

New Year, New Connections

The energy at our kick-off event on January 15th was everything we could have hoped for to jump-start 2026. So many first-timers and younger faces joining longtime community members made it one of our most lively socials yet. We loved hearing your ideas for the year ahead, and every suggestion dropped in the box has been read; we're already working on bringing them to life. Thank you to everyone who came out. You reminded us exactly why we do this."

Galentines Day Byte & Bite

Boston Women in Bioinformatics Galentine's Day Lunch

Eight BWIB members gathered at CanalSide Food & Drink at CambridgeSide Mall to celebrate Galentine's Day over lunch. It was a relaxed afternoon, and let's just say the conversation was as good as the food. Members got to know each other better and it was a small but mighty turnout!

📊 Help Us Tell the Full Story — Advocacy Survey

The gender gap in leadership isn't just a feeling — it shows up in the data. Our ongoing advocacy survey has already captured responses from 194 participants, and the early findings are striking: while women make up the vast majority of respondents, 21% of male respondents report being in a leadership position compared to only 14% of female respondents. In the future, we plan to explore these questions with a well-balanced dataset to understand the bias related to gender gap, pay, and years of experience or education needed. We plan to share the aggregated results publicly and potentially publish findings to benefit the broader community.

We're asking you to do two things:

Fill out the survey if you haven't already
Share it with more people in your network — colleagues, collaborators, partners, friends

Every 100 new responses, we raffle a $25 gift card — so there's never been a better time to participate.

Take the Survey

Together, we can build the evidence base our community deserves.

🔥 Hot off the Blog

Our bloggers have been busy! Here's what's been published recently:

Beyond Behavior: How Machine Learning Decodes Consciousness and Forecasts Seizures · Deep Dive by Dana Moochnick
Reflections on a seminar that explored how AI and brain network analysis are transforming our understanding of consciousness and what that means for epilepsy care.

ctDNA as an Oncology Endpoint · Quick Take by Celine Han, Ph.D.
Takeaways from the Friends of Cancer Research symposium on modernizing oncology endpoints that delivered a clear-eyed look at where ctDNA stands as a clinical biomarker and what still needs to happen for it to get there.

Biobank Intro Series: Getting Started · Tutorial Series by Samantha J. Klasfeld, Ph.D.
The first installment of a weekly tutorial series demystifying UK Biobank and All of Us. If biobank analysis has ever felt overwhelming, this series is for you.

🏛️ 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

🌟 2025 Year in Review & What’s Next

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:00:01 GMT

Celebrating committee progress, sharing upcoming events, and open registration to our mentorship program.

Issue three is here! We're trading 2025's highlights for 2026's possibilities. Think new mentorship programs, expanded resources, and events worth marking on your calendar. Ready? Let's go! 🚀

Here's what's inside this month:

Non-profit Announcement
Holiday Dinner
Events Recap
Upcoming Event
Career Mentorship Program
Community Resources
2025 Annual Committee Reports
Inside our Organization Committees
Meet the Executive Board

🎊 We're Official: BWIB Gets Non-Profit Status

We are thrilled to announce that BWIB officially became a nonprofit organization in 2025. This milestone provides us with the stable infrastructure needed to sustain and grow our programs, secure funding more effectively, and serve our community for years to come.

Holiday Dinner

Boston Women in Bioinformatics executive board holiday dinner

In celebration of the year’s accomplishments, the BWIB organizers and the executive team gathered for a holiday dinner at Gustazo! The evening provided an opportunity to meet and connect with each other in-person, reflect on the organization’s growth, recognize the contributions of the committee chairs and volunteers, and share wishes for a happy and a healthy holiday season!

Events Recap

Byte and Bite: Bioinformatics Lunch Meetup

Our November Byte and Bite made for a cozy afternoon of networking and conversation at CanalSide Food & Drink. This casual lunch meetup continued our tradition of creating unscripted spaces for professionals to connect, share experiences, and build relationships beyond the formalities of typical networking events. Thank you to everyone who joined us. We look forward to seeing you at our next meetup!

Communicate Your Unique Value: A Masterclass for Job Seekers

Joanna Ghayad, PharmD, PCC (pronounced "guy-add," as she memorably shared) created an engaging space where attendees moved beyond resume bullet points. Through interactive frameworks and a practical fill-in-the-blank template, participants reflected deeply on their accomplishments, impact, and aspirations—discovering how to articulate their authentic professional value.

Building Adaptive Strategies for Career Advancement in Science

Dr. Jenn Felsted-Knight from Felsted Coaching & Consulting inspired attendees to reflect on their career journeys, with participants sharing their own paths in science. Together, we explored practical strategies for tracking career growth and building adaptive approaches to navigate the evolving landscape of bioinformatics and computational biology.

Upcoming Event

New Year, New Connections Social

Jan 15, 2026, 5:30 PM
Cambridge Side Mall, Cambridge, MA
Register

Let's start 2026 right with a networking event you don't have to skip dinner for! Join us at the C-Side bar in the Cambridgeside food court for our first event of the new year - and this time, allies are welcome too (bring your colleagues!). Come ready to make new connections, snag limited-time swag, and share your ideas for what our community should tackle this year. Whether your resolution is "network more" or "finally suggest that tool idea I've been thinking about," we've got you covered.

Introducing our Career Mentorship Program

Photo by CoWomen on Unsplash

Mentorship Program Launch
Begins January 2026
Registration open through December 2025

We're launching a year-long mentorship program specifically designed for women who are building their careers in bioinformatics—whether you're navigating your first industry role, transitioning between sectors, or positioning yourself for leadership.

This program pairs early- to mid-career professionals with senior mentors who are established leaders in academia and industry. Through regular one-on-one meetings, mentees receive personalized guidance on career strategy, leadership development, and navigating the unique challenges women face in bioinformatics. For mentors, this is an opportunity to invest in the next generation of leaders, share hard-won insights, and strengthen our professional community.

We're building meaningful, goal-oriented connections focused on career transitions, networking, skill building, and opening doors to new opportunities. Our vision is simple: create a lasting culture where women in bioinformatics mentor one another and champion each other's success.

This program is for professionals already working in the field—not currently accepting applications from students or recent graduates.

📦 Resource Drop: Skills & Communities

We've expanded the Boston Women in Bioinformatics website with two new pages designed to support your professional growth and community connections:

Upskilling Resource Library – A curated collection of tools, tutorials, and platforms across bioinformatics, machine learning, coding, and professional development to help you sharpen your skills.

Partner Communities – Discover organizations and networks in bioinformatics, biotech, and data science to expand your connections locally and beyond.

Have a resource or community to add? We'd love your contributions! To suggest an addition, please share:

For Upskilling Resources: Name, description, URL, category (bioinformatics, machine-learning, math, biology, coding, professional-development, or other), and tags (e.g., free, beginner-friendly)
For Partner Communities: Name, description, website, category (bioinformatics, biotech, data-science, or other), location, whether it's female-only, Boston-based, and relevant tags

Reach out to someone on the web-development committee on slack and help us build a comprehensive resource hub for our community!

2025 Annual Committee Reports

As the year draws to a close, our various committees have diligently compiled their end-of-year reports to reflect on the 2025 goals, measured progress and achievements, identified lessons learned and potential plans for the next year. This process of annual review highlights the commitment to transparency and continuous and trackable improvement within the organization. We thank all committee members for their hard work and dedication in preparing these valuable summaries. Please enjoy reading them on our website at boston-wib.org/about/annual-report-2025.

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
Location: Boston Area, Massachusetts

🍂 Fall Forward with T-Shirts, Elections, and Events

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:00:01 GMT

October brought the momentum and now we’re channeling it into November! This issue recaps highlights, invites you to shape what’s next (don’t miss the t-shirt survey!), and previews what lies ahead.

Thanks for joining us for issue two! We’re wrapping up October, looking ahead to November, and inviting you to help shape what’s next—from shirts to elections to events. 🌟

Here's what's inside this month:

October Highlights
Events Ahead
T-Shirt Survey: Make It Yours
Executive Committee Elections Are Coming!
Web Committee Glow-up
Inside our Organization Committees
Meet the Executive Board

Events Recap

Boston Women In Bioinformatics Celebrated 10-Year Anniversary

Women in Bioinformatics 10th Anniversary Event

On September 30th, 2025, BWIB celebrated its 10th anniversary!!! The program featured inspiring and distinguished keynote speakers, Lorena Pantano, Eleanor Howe, Geraldine Van Der Auwera and Grace Tiao! The community enjoyed listening to their stories, and networked with food, drinks, desserts and very cool BWIB souvenirs.

👉 Check out photos from the celebration

The State of Bioinformatics - Panel and Networking at ASHG

On October 16th, 2025, BWIB panel and networking event, in sponsorship from Sentieon, was packed with ASHG participants and BWIB members. Elizabeth Chun, Don Freed, and BWIB Co-Chair Yevgenia Khodor, delivered thoughtful insights and sparked engaging discussions on the State of Bioinformatics. Once again, our sincere gratitude to our generous event sponsor, Sentieon Inc., and especially to Don Freed and Brendan Gallagher for their support.

👉 Check out photos from the event

From Biotech to Business: An AMA with the Founders of Sprout Informatics

Over 80 attendees joined Boston-Area Women in Bioinformatics (BWIB), Sprout Informatics, and the Cambridge Biotech Club online for From Biotech to Business, an AMA with Sprout co-founders Liyang Diao and Michael Seiler. The event covered startup logistics, client acquisition, rate-setting, and the leap from employee to entrepreneur. A crowd-favorite question, “Do you foresee any issues with SO many LLCs ‘sprouting’ in this job market?” sparked laughter and insight, as participants explored what it takes to carve out a niche in biotech consulting. Special thanks to Sprout Informatics, Samantha Klasfeld and the BWIB Events Committee and our collaborators Jaeseok (Jay) Park, Ryan Yordanoff, and Stephan Matissek at and the Cambridge Biotech Club for helping organizing this thoughtful AMA.

Upcoming Events

Automating the "Second Job" of Job Searching with JustAJob

Nov 6, 2025, 11:30 AM
Zoom
Register

Sick of tracking job apps in spreadsheets? Join BWIB for a live demo of JustAJobApp, an open-source tool that auto-builds your job dashboard from your inbox. Creator Lianna Novitz shares her story, shows how it compares to tools like Teal, and previews what’s next—including a crowdfunding campaign. Plus: Q&A, raffle, and real talk on job search burnout.

Byte and Bite: Bioinformatics Lunch Meetup

Nov 7, 2025, 12:00 PM
Cambridge Side Mall, Cambridge, MA
Register

Grab lunch and meet fellow bioinformaticians at our casual networking meetup at the CambridgeSide mall food court! Whether you're deep in pipelines or just bioinformatics-curious, swing by to chat, connect, and swap stories over dumplings, salads, or whatever fuels your science. No agenda—just good food and great company.

GitHub Basics 2

Nov 13, 2025, 05:30 PM
Boynton Yards, Somerville, MA
Register

Ready to go beyond the basics? GitHub Basics 2 is a hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop focused on branching, pull requests, merge conflicts, and team communication. Perfect for anyone with commit and remote experience looking to level up their collaborative coding skills. Parking’s $10 at Boynton Yards after 5pm—bring your laptop and your questions!

T-Shirt Survey: Make It Yours

Mockup for Boston Women in Bioinformatics T-shirt

Boston Women in Bioinformatics is cooking up some wearable joy. YES, we’re preordering shirts! Represent being part of this amazing organization, as you share your bioinformatics brilliance at events, workshops, panels, zoom calls, or even on the go while dramatically catching the Red Line - this is your chance to do it in style!

We’re aiming for 30 responses so we can get a quote from the shirt wizards. So, the faster you respond to the google form below, the faster we can make this magic happen (no promises on delivery dates, but the vibes will be immaculate).

Want a shirt for just $24? Fill this google form ASAP.

Let’s make 2026 cozy, nerdy, and fabulous.

Executive Committee Elections Are Coming!

BWIB’s Executive Committee elections are just around the corner, and we’re excited to welcome new leadership! Nominations will be open primarily to those who’ve volunteered with BWIB in the past—so if you’ve helped out at events, contributed behind the scenes, or supported the community in any way, this is your moment. Stay tuned for details on roles, timelines, and how to nominate yourself or a fellow volunteer.

Web Committee Glow-Up ✨

Sound the bugle and refresh the cache! The Web Committee is leveling up.

We’ve welcomed three new web wizards, Anushka Dongaonkar, Vishwa Talati, and Siqin Li, bringing fresh energy, expanded brainpower, and more tabs than ever before. Our once-small band of digital dreamers is ready to conjure even more joyful, accessible, and slightly magical digital spaces for Boston Women in Bioinformatics.

Stay tuned for updates, improvements, and possibly a glittery surprise or two!

BWIB Organization

📣 Advocacy

The Advocacy committee advances equity and inclusion within the field of bioinformatics by identifying systemic challenges and promoting data-driven strategies.

👭🏻 Bioinformatics Sisters

This committee supports and organizes Bioinformatics Sisters, a networking and mentoring platform designed to match participants based on shared goals, skills, and preferences.

💬 Communications

The Communications committee is responsible for managing, coordinating, and improving the flow of information by means of communicating to its members, other committees, and external groups. It ensures the organization is visible via various channels and oversees policies related to collaborations and public relations.

📅 Events

The Events committee organizes and hosts professional and community-focused events from technical workshops to networking gatherings.

💙 Career Sponsorship

The Career Sponsorship committee empowers women in bioinformatics to grow into leadership roles through focused mentorship, career advocacy, and access to professional networks.

🌐 Web Page

The Web Page committee manages the organization's website to share group information, curate community resources, and promote events.

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
Location: Boston Area, Massachusetts

Our First Newsletter

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:01 GMT

First newsletter issue featuring spotlights and upcoming events

Welcome to the first issue of our newsletter! 🌟

Here's what's inside this month:

Welcome Note from the Founder
Boston Women In Bioinformatics Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary
Inside our Organization Committees
Executive Board
Events Recap
Committee Members Spotlight

Welcome Note from the Founder

Lorena Pantano, Founder BWIB

Ten years ago, I was sitting in a room full of bioinformaticians and realized I was the only woman there. That moment stayed with me—and soon after, with a few colleagues around a table at MIT, we started a simple Meetup page. What began as small, informal gatherings has grown into an energizing community of women, organizing seminars, networking events, and fireside chats. Over the years, different leaders have kept the group alive, and more recently, we became an official non-profit with dedicated volunteers shaping the future. But at the heart of it, this group has always been about community, support, opportunity, and visibility. From just a few women at the beginning, we’ve grown into a vibrant community of hundreds—a powerful sign of how much this space was needed. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, I hope this community continues to help women grow their careers, find support, and feel seen. And I invite many of you to step into the organization, because this group has never been about a few of us—it has always been about all of us.

Boston Women In Bioinformatics Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary

Boston Women in Bioinformatics is celebrating our 10-year anniversary with an inspiring evening featuring four distinguished keynote speakers (Lorena Pantano, Eleanor Howe, Geraldine Van Der Auwera, and Grace Tiao), networking opportunities, and food.

Event Details:
Sept 30, 2025 @ 4PM ET
Boynton Yards, Somerville
More info: boston-wib.org

BWIB Organization

📣 Advocacy

The Advocacy committee advances equity and inclusion within the field of bioinformatics by identifying systemic challenges and promoting data-driven strategies.

👭🏻 Bioinformatics Sisters

This committee supports and organizes Bioinformatics Sisters, a networking and mentoring platform designed to match participants based on shared goals, skills, and preferences.

💬 Communications

📅 Events

The Events committee organizes and hosts professional and community-focused events from technical workshops to networking gatherings.

💙 Career Sponsorship

The Career Sponsorship committee empowers women in bioinformatics to grow into leadership roles through focused mentorship, career advocacy, and access to professional networks.

🌐 Web Page

The Web Page committee manages the organization's website to share group information, curate community resources, and promote events.

Executive Board

Events Recap

Boston Women in Bioinformatics Booth @ Cambridge Science Carnival 2025

This season, our community gathered across Greater Boston for a dynamic lineup of events celebrating connection, learning, and leadership. From casual meetups to career strategy sessions, we’ve been building momentum together.

Tis the year of Byte and Bites lunch gatherings at Time Out Market, Watertown, Somerville, and CambridgeSide where we created space for spontaneous collaboration and new friendships.

At our featured event, Jenn Felsted-Knight, PhD, ACC led a powerful session on Finding Alignment: Strategic Positioning for Career Resilience during Uncertain Times, where we explored how to decode employer needs, articulate our unique value, and turn market uncertainty into a competitive advantage.

We also hosted an Introduction to R Packages workshop, co-organized Lightning Talks with Boston Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, and celebrated Women’s History Month with a special panel and networking event—generously sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company and Diamond Age Data Science.

And we brought our passion for science outreach to the public with a booth at the Cambridge Science Carnival, where we shared hands-on activities and inspired the next generation of bioinformaticians.

Thanks to everyone who joined us. We’re excited for what’s next!

Committee Members Spotlight

We are proud to recognize the dedicated volunteers who shape the vision and impact of Boston Women in Bioinformatics. Our volunteers make our community thrive by sharing their time, creativity, and passion for our mission in fostering an inclusive, collaborative scientific community.

Social Media

Slack: boston-women-bioinfo
Email: communications@boston-wib.org
LinkedIn: Boston-area Women in Bioinformatics
Lu.ma: Boston Women in Bioinformatics
Location: Boston Area, Massachusetts

Boston Women in Bioinformatics's Newsletter

Issue 006: May 2026

Events Reflections

Networking Without the Ick: Craft a Networking Introduction That Feels Good and Sounds Like You By

Bits & Brews @ Tap 151

Seqera Nexflow Summit

Events on the Horizon

​​Byte and Bite: Bioinformatics Lunch Meetup

Festival of Genomics Networking

Take Up Space: Building Presence and Confidence in High-Stakes Moments

Lightning Talks with Boston Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

Boston Women in Bioinformatics Family Day at Danehy Park

Coffee with CompBio: Behind the Interview Table

Blogs

Partner Events

Get Involved

🏛️ Executive Board

Social Media

🪴 Branching Out: The BWIB April 2026 Edition

A Farewell to our Linked in Group

Member Spotlight: Aysheh Alrfooh

Events Reflections

NF-Core hackathon — A First-Timer's Reflection

Byte & Bite @ Shy Bird

Single Cell Basics Workshop

Events on the Horizon

Networking Without the Ick Workshop with Jenn

Bits & Brews

Festival of Genomics Networking

BCBB & BWIB Lightning Talks

Coffee with CompBio: Behind the Interview Table

Blogs

Partner Events

Get Involved

🏛️ Executive Board

Social Media

🌸 Fresh Commits: The BWIB Spring Edition

🌟 Member Spotlight: Sharvari Narendra, M.S.

🎉 Welcoming Our 2026 Executive Board

📣 Committee Updates: New Structures, New Voices

Communications Committee

Podcast Committee

Nominating & Governance Committee

Finance Committee

🎙️ Coffee with CompBio: Season 2

💸 Finance Snapshot

🤝 Career Mentorship Program Update

📆 Upcoming Events

NF-Core Hackathon

​​Byte and Bite: Bioinformatics Lunch Meetup

Single Cell Basics: A 2-Day Hands-On scRNA-seq Workshop

🌄 Events Recap

New Year, New Connections

Galentines Day Byte & Bite

📊 Help Us Tell the Full Story — Advocacy Survey

🔥 Hot off the Blog

🏛️ Executive Board

Social Media

🌟 2025 Year in Review & What’s Next

🎊 We're Official: BWIB Gets Non-Profit Status

Holiday Dinner

Events Recap

Byte and Bite: Bioinformatics Lunch Meetup

Communicate Your Unique Value: A Masterclass for Job Seekers

​Building Adaptive Strategies for Career Advancement in Science

Upcoming Event

​New Year, New Connections Social

Introducing our Career Mentorship Program

📦 Resource Drop: Skills & Communities

2025 Annual Committee Reports

Executive Board

Social Media

🍂 Fall Forward with T-Shirts, Elections, and Events

Events Recap

Boston Women In Bioinformatics Celebrated 10-Year Anniversary

The State of Bioinformatics - Panel and Networking at ASHG

​​From Biotech to Business: An AMA with the Founders of Sprout Informatics

Upcoming Events

​​Automating the "Second Job" of Job Searching with JustAJob

​​Byte and Bite: Bioinformatics Lunch Meetup

Byte and Bite: Bioinformatics Lunch Meetup

Byte and Bite: Bioinformatics Lunch Meetup

Building Adaptive Strategies for Career Advancement in Science

New Year, New Connections Social

From Biotech to Business: An AMA with the Founders of Sprout Informatics

Automating the "Second Job" of Job Searching with JustAJob

Byte and Bite: Bioinformatics Lunch Meetup

GitHub Basics 2