Issue-006 · · Sakina Saif, M.S. , Sharvari Narendra , Vishwa Talati , Samantha Klasfeld, Ph.D. · 10 min read
Issue 006: May 2026
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
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
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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