Beyond Brain: The Next Phase of Neuroscience

Over the past decade, the field of neuroscience has been transformed by new technologies, large-scale collaboration, and investment by philanthropy, industry, government, and academia. With tremendous achievements behind us, there is still much to accomplish.

Looking to the next decade and beyond, important challenges and opportunities extend beyond any single stakeholder, at a moment when the landscape for supporting science is itself changing.

What models of infrastructure, collaboration, and cross-sector leadership are needed to drive progress in neuroscience over the next decade?

Held ahead of the Society for Neuroscience meeting, Beyond Brain: The Next Phase of Neuroscience will bring together funders for a candid and forward-looking exploration of this question.

9:00 AM - Welcome & Opening Remarks

Setting the context for the day and the opportunity ahead.

Fireside Chat

A conversation examining the changing neuroscience landscape and what the next phase of progress may require.

Steve Hyman, Director of the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Cara Altimus, CEO, BD2 Discoveries

Theme 1: Infrastructure and Data

Case Study: Ontario Brain Institute

A short case study examining lessons from the Ontario Brain Institute and its approach to building shared infrastructure, data capabilities, and collaboration across the neuroscience ecosystem.

Cross-sector Perspectives & Breakout Discussion

Christa Studzinski, Head, External Relations and Partnerships, Ontario Brain Institute
Magali Haas, Chief Medical Officer, Psilera
Ekemini Riley, Founder and CEO, Coalition for Aligning Science

Discussion may explore:

What shared infrastructure and data capabilities will neuroscience need over the next decade, particularly as research becomes more data-intensive and AI-enabled?
How can government, philanthropy, academia, and industry work together to ensure critical resources are interoperable, sustainable, and broadly accessible?

Theme 2: Institutional Change

Case Study

[Case study and speaker to be confirmed]

A short case study will introduce an institutional model or experiment that offers lessons for how the neuroscience ecosystem could organize, collaborate, and invest differently.

Cross-sector Perspectives & Breakout Discussion

Joshua Gordon, Chair of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Tom Kalil, CEO, Renaissance Philanthropy

Discussion may explore:

What problems in neuroscience are existing academic and funding structures not well designed to solve, and which emerging institutional or funding models could help?
As leadership and investment become more distributed, what new forms of coordination and shared stewardship are needed across sectors?

Theme 3: Translation and Implementation

Case Study: Neurotech Harbor

A short case study exploring Neurotech Harbor and lessons for creating pathways that help move neuroscience innovations from promising ideas toward implementation and impact.

Cross-sector Perspectives & Breakout Discussion

Amy Kruse, General Partner & Chief Investment Officer, Satori Neuro
Sri Sarma, Executive Director, NeuroTech Harbor
John Ngai, Director, NIH BRAIN Initiative

Discussion may explore:

Where do promising neuroscience discoveries and technologies encounter the greatest barriers on the path to implementation and impact?
Where could stronger cross-sector coordination, infrastructure, or new approaches accelerate the implementation and impact of promising neuroscience discoveries and technologies?

4:30 PM: Closing Discussion

5:00 PM: Reception

6:00 PM: Dinner

AGENDA

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Hotel Room Block