10:00 a.m.
Description: The Department of Bioengineering at the Knight Campus is pleased to welcome Dr. Michael J. Weickert as the featured speaker for the Winter 2026 installment of the Robert Family Entrepreneurship Speaker Series. His talk, “Dumb Ways to Die: How Biotech Startups Fail,” will explore the realities of launching and sustaining life science ventures, drawing on more than 30 years of experience in the biotechnology and medical device industries.
Dr. Weickert will examine entrepreneurship as a professional discipline, offering insights into fundraising, clinical development, regulatory strategy, and the complex path of translating research into successful commercial products.
About the Speaker: Dr. Michael J. Weickert is the CEO of Pacylex Pharmaceuticals and Fe Pharmaceuticals and has spent over three decades developing drugs and medical devices in both public and private companies. He has founded and led multiple startups, held executive roles at seven companies, and contributed to a $3B acquisition by Teva. Dr. Weickert holds a PhD in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and completed his postdoctoral training at the National Cancer Institute at NIH.
Location: In-person: Beetham Family Seminar Room, Room 127, Knight Campus, 1st Floor Remote: A Zoom webinar link will be shared closer to the event. A recording will be available on our website following the presentation.
All are welcome to attend.
1:00–2:00 p.m.
This seminar will feature two PhD candidates from the Knight Campus sharing their research in biomaterials and cancer biology:
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Phillip Hernandez (Benoit/Guldberg Labs) will present “Engineering Polymeric Nanoparticles for Efficient siRNA Delivery to Human Chondroprogenitor Cells as a Therapeutic Strategy for Osteoarthritis,” focusing on targeted delivery approaches to support cartilage regeneration.
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Maya Kasteleiner (Dalton/Lindberg Labs) will present “Topographical Guidance of Glioblastoma Migration on Aligned Microfiber Scaffolds,” highlighting the role of scaffold architecture in influencing tumor cell behavior.
Part of the 2025–26 Bioengineering Seminar Series. All are welcome to attend.
9:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
This annual event offers undergraduates from all majors a vibrant, inclusive forum to showcase their research and creative work through a variety of presentation platforms. The event celebrates inquiry and discovery across disciplines, helps students build communication and professional skills, and connects them with peers, faculty, and mentors. Whether attending or presenting, students at any stage in their academic journey will gain confidence, expand their networks, and continue strengthening their pathways to success.
The General Agenda on the website gives an overview of events throughout the day. The searchable schedule will be posted at urds.uoregon.edu/symposium closer the event.
3:00–5:00 p.m.
Please join the Knight Campus Department of Bioengineering and Graduate Internship Program during the program/track specific ceremony times on Monday, June 15, 2026 at the Knight Campus.
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3:00-3:20pm - Bioengineering PhD Commencement Ceremony
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3:30-3:50pm - KCGIP Sensors/Polymers Master's Commencement Ceremony
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4:05-4:25pm - KCGIP Semi/Optics Master's Commencement Ceremony
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4:40-5:00pm - KCGIP Bioinformatics Master's Commencement Ceremony
Graduates, please RSVP here by May 20, 2025. For questions graduates can contact their programs recruiters and advisors (KCGIP@uoregon.edu or bioengineering@uoregon.edu).
BIOE Science Seminars
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