Driving Innovation, Investment, Policy and Access
ACORN= AI • Cardiology • Oncology • Reproductive & Women’s Health • Neuroscience
ONLY A FEW SEATS LEFT | 4 KEYNOTES | 3 PANELS | PURPOSEFUL NETWORKING |
ONLY A FEW SEATS LEFT | 4 KEYNOTES | 3 PANELS | PURPOSEFUL NETWORKING |
October 30, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:15 PM
Boston University Questrom School of Business
595 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
Expert Insights. Facilitated Roundtables. Purposeful Networking.
The Big Tree ACORN Summit— presented in partnership with Boston University Questrom School of Business— brings together industry leaders, investors and innovators to advance healthcare innovation and collaboration.
At ACORN, networking isn't left to chance. Throughout the day, attendees will explore five thought-provoking questions through facilitated roundtable discussions during breaks and lunch, driving purposeful connections around Innovation, Investment, Policy and Access.
Only a Few Seats Left!
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Keynotes
Dr. Melissa Gilliam President Boston University
Jake Auchincloss U.S. Congressman Massachusetts
Allison Byers Founder & CEO Scroobious Author- Fundraising for the Rest of Us
Liz Powell Founder G2G Consulting & Women's Health Advocates
Investor Panel
Jeff Berman (Moderator) Managing Partner & Co-Founder Big Tree Innovation Fund
Claire Jin Vice President JP Morgan
Myron Kassaraba Vice President MassVentures
Victor Lanio Partner Flare Capital Partners
John Pennett Partner EisnerAmper & Mid Atlantic Bio Angels
AI Panel
Giovanni Abbadessa Chief Medical Officer ModeX Therapeutics
John Pennett (Moderator) Partner EisnerAmper & Mid Atlantic Bio Angels
Qiuyan Xu (AI) CEO & Founder FinePoint
Yannis Paschalidis Distinguished Professor & Director, Hariri Institute for Computing Boston University
Jeremy Arak (Moderator) Partner Polsinelli
Dr. Mark Clapp Physician Investigator & Assoc. Professor Mass General Hospital & Harvard Medical School
Maria Wendt Global Head of Preclinical Computational Innovation Sanofi
Innovation Showcase & Founder Panel
Joseph Hoffman (OncologyI) CEO & Founder Liseva Bio
Jessica Reed (Cardiology) CEO & Founder Diapin Therapeutics
Dr. Reza Hosseini Ghomi (Neurology) CEO & 4x Founder MedFlow
Dr. Lucia Cagnes (Reproductive & Women’s Health) Founder FemNova Health
Only a Few Seats Left!
WHAT TO EXPECT
One Room. The People Shaping Healthcare's Future.
Engage in facilitated roundtable discussions with industry leaders, investors, founders and innovators to exchange ideas, explore opportunities and build purposeful connections.
Thought-Provoking Keynotes & Panels — Explore the forces shaping healthcare and life sciences.
Investor Perspectives — Gain insights into funding, commercialization, and emerging opportunities.
Innovation Showcase — Discover promising technologies and the founders bringing them to market.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The Right People. Meaningful Connections.
Healthcare & Life Sciences Executives — Exploring innovation and strategic partnerships.
Investors & Strategic Partners — Discovering emerging opportunities.
Founders & Entrepreneurs — Building and scaling innovative companies.
Researchers & Academic Leaders — Advancing discoveries into real-world impact.
Healthcare Professionals & Policymakers — Shaping healthcare's future.
Students & Emerging Leaders — Connecting with industry leaders.
Only a Few Seats Left!
Agenda
9:00 -10:00| Arrival & Networking
10:00 -10:30| Welcome & Opening Remarks
10:30 -11:00| Keynote | The Future of Healthcare Innovation: Connecting Academia, Industry, Policy & Capital
Dr. Melissa Gilliam President Boston University
11:00 -11:30| Keynote | From Innovation to Impact: Policy & Healthcare Access
Sehyr Khan (Introduction) MBA/ MPA Candidate Boston University
Jake Auchincloss U.S. Congressman Massachusetts
11:30 -12:00| Keynote | Fundraising for the Rest of US
12:00 -1:00| Lunch, Networking & Facilitated Roundtables
1:00 -1:45| ACORN Spotlight Panel - Investor Perspective
Jeff Berman (Moderator) Managing Partner & Co-Founder Big Tree Innovation Fund
Claire Jin Vice President JP Morgan
Victor Lanio Partner Flare Capital Partners
Myron Kassaraba Vice President MassVentures
John Pennett Partner EisnerAmper & Mid Atlantic Bio Angels
Giovanni Abbadessa Chief Medical Officer ModeX Therapeutics
Abbe Berman (Introduction) Vice President Women's Health Big Tree Innovation Fund
Liz Powell Founder G2G Consulting & Women's Health Advocates
John Pennett (Moderator) Partner EisnerAmper & Mid Atlantic Bio Angels
Qiuyan Xu (AI) CEO & Founder FinePoint
Jessica Reed (Cardiology) CEO & Founder Diapin Therapeutics
Joseph Hoffman (OncologyI) CEO & Founder Liseva Bio
Jeff Berman Managing Partner & Co-Founder Big Tree Innovation Fund
Elizabeth Sweyer (Introduction) MBA/ MPA Candidate Boston University
Allison Byers Founder & CEO Scroobious Author- Fundraising for the Rest of Us
William Keenan (Introduction) MBA Candidate Boston University
1:45 -2:30| ACORN Spotlight Panel - AI, Policy & the Future of Healthcare
Yannis Paschalidis Distinguished Professor & Director, Hariri Institute for Computing Boston University
Jeremy Arak (Moderator) Partner Polsinelli
Dr. Mark Clapp Physician Investigator & Assoc. Professor Mass General Hospital & Harvard Medical School
Maria Wendt Global Head of Preclinical Computational Innovation Sanofi
2:30 -3:00| ACORN Spotlight - Reproductive & Women’s Health
3:00 -3:30| Break, Networking & Facilitated Roundtables
3:30 -4:45| ACORN Innovation Showcase & Panel - AI, Cardiology, Oncology, Women’s Health and Neurology
Dr. Reza Hosseini Ghomi (Neurology) CEO & 4x Founder MedFlow
Dr. Lucia Cagnes (Reproductive & Women’s Health) Founder FemNova Health
4:45 -5:15| Wrap Up & Networking