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  • Apr
    15

    BTP Seminar Series: Laura De La Vega, Axolotl Biosciences

    McCormick-Chemical and Biological Engineering (ChBE)

    12:00 PM

    EVENT DETAILS

    The Biotechnology Training Program is pleased to present the following seminar by Laura De la Vega:

    From Bench to Business: Engineering Human Tissue for Drug Discovery

    Advances in tissue engineering are transforming how we model human biology, enabling more predictive systems for studying disease and advancing drug discovery. This talk will introduce foundational concepts in the field, including stem cell biology, biomaterials, and drug delivery systems, and how these components can be integrated to engineer functional human tissues.

    Building on this framework, Dr. De la Vega will highlight her research on engineering neural tissues from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), with a focus on developing physiologically relevant in vitro models. Selected studies will illustrate key challenges and opportunities in designing complex tissue systems that better recapitulate human biology.

    The talk will conclude with the translation of this work into entrepreneurship through the founding of Axolotl Biosciences, a company developing advanced bioinks for 3D bioprinting applications. Dr. De la Vega will discuss the transition from academic research to startup formation, and how engineered human tissue models can help address critical gaps in drug discovery and disease modeling.

    Dr. De la Vega is a Co-Founder and the Chief Technology Officer of Axolotl Biosciences, a biotechnology company developing advanced bioinks for 3D bioprinting human tissue models for drug discovery and disease research. She earned her B.S. in Biotechnology Engineering from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and completed her Ph.D. at the University of Victoria, where her research focused on engineering neural tissues from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs).

    Her scientific training spans both academic and industry settings, including experience at larger biotechnology companies, which has shaped her translational approach to innovation. Having lived and worked internationally in Mexico, the United States, Canada, and Japan, she brings a global perspective to her work. At Axolotl Biosciences, she leads scientific strategy, technology development, strategic collaborations, and intellectual property, focusing on building more predictive, human-relevant models to accelerate discovery and transform how new therapies are developed.

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    TIME Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

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    CONTACT Will Chaussee    william.chaussee@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick-Chemical and Biological Engineering (ChBE)

  • Jun
    14

    Spring 2026 Commencement

    University Academic Calendar

    All Day

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Sunday, June 14, 2026

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    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

  • Jun
    15

    Northwestern Engineering PhD Hooding and Master's Degree Recognition Ceremony

    McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

    9:00 AM

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Monday, June 15, 2026 at 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

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    CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  • Jun
    15

    Northwestern Engineering Undergraduate Convocation

    McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

    2:00 PM

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Monday, June 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

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    CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  • Jun
    19

    Juneteenth - University Closed

    University Academic Calendar

    All Day

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Friday, June 19, 2026

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    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

  • Jul
    3

    Independence Day (observed) - University Closed

    University Academic Calendar

    All Day

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Friday, July 3, 2026

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    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

  • Sep
    23

    Fall 2026 Classes Begin

    University Academic Calendar

    All Day

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Wednesday, September 23, 2026

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    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar