News & EventsAnnual Michael Jaharis Lectures
The Annual BME Michael Jaharis Lecture brings together BME faculty, students, and researchers, together with multidisciplinary scientists from across Northwestern interested in advances in biomedicine driven by innovation in basic science and engineering. This series highlights advances that have led to significant translational impact or promise for transformational impact in clinical settings.
About Dr. Michael Jaharis
Born here in Evanston, Dr. Michael Jaharis (1928-2016) was an American lawyer, businessman and philanthropist. He was the founder of Kos Pharmaceuticals and Vatera Healthcare Partners LLC, and co-founder of Arisaph Pharmaceuticals. With his wife, Mary, he established the Jaharis Family Foundation, which supports cultural institutions, museums, health scholarships, education, universities, and humanitarian initiatives. Northwestern BME is privileged to be able to host this seminar series to honor Michael Jaharis, his family, and his legacy.
2026 BME Jaharis Lecture
Dr. Omid Veiseh, Rice University
"Bioengineering Cell-based Therapeutics"
April 16th
Past Presentations
2025: Dr. Luis Diaz, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
"Clinical applications of cancer genomics"
2024: Dr. Matthew Becker, Duke University
"A Molecular Approach to Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices for Use in The Clinic”
2023: Dr. Jim Wells, University of California, San Francisco
"Pirating Biology to Probe and Attack the Cancer Surfaceome”
2021: The Jaharis Symposium
Dr. Molly Soichet, University of Toronto
"I wonder if?”
Dr. Shyni Varghese, Duke University
"Bioengineered platforms enabled Translational Regenerative Medicine"
Derek Small, Gate Neurosciences
"Breakthrough science, intellectual property, and raising capital"
2019: Dr. Heejin Lee, Amgen Inc.
"Value Creation Through Innovative Combination Products: Challenges and Opportunities"