"In order to spur innovation, diversity of thought, perspective, and experience is absolutely necessary." Gretchen Cook-Anderson, executive director from LabCentral Ignite lives this aspiration. Our KSA team caught up with her this week to learn more about how Ignite's programming is making space for everyone at the lab bench and beyond.
Also in this issue: what to do after hours, scenes from CX Summer Nights, Golden Tickets are back, and Bayer's new Kendall campus.
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The Big Story
Building Community with Gretchen Cook-Anderson
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Last month, LabCentral Ignite announced its 2nd Annual
LabCentral Ignite Golden Ticket is open for applications. LabCentral Ignite Golden Tickets cover the cost of one bench and one scientist for one year at LabCentral, provide winners a $15,000 cash prize, and exclusive access to their network and resources as a LabCentral Ignite Fellow.
Last year, winners Nanopath and Harmony Baby Nutrition were able to leverage LabCentral’s extensive network of investors, innovators, and biotech expertise to advance women's health and baby formula more naturally designed for better nutrition.
We caught up with Ignite's executive director Gretchen Cook-Anderson to hear more about their programs and why Kendall Square holds so much opportunity for positive change.
KSA: What are the greatest challenges facing people of color and other historically excluded people and students, when it comes to workforce access and integration, especially in biotech?
GRETCHEN: The most immense challenges those who’ve been historically underrepresented in the biotech workforce face include easier access to clear information about types of roles, educational requirements, compensation and how to connect with real training and job opportunities in biotech. This has been due to conscious bias as well as just lack of intention and attention on excluded populations in the past.
KSA: Tell us about Career Forge, and what makes the partnership between companies and training partners, LEAS LAB and JVS so effective for the current cohort of Forgers?
GRETCHEN: LabCentral Ignite’s Career Forge program aims to redefine how diverse talent interfaces with the hyper-growth life sciences industry by assessing, up-skilling, and placing talent into entry-level technical roles in innovative research labs. Career Forge is meeting untapped, underrepresented talent where they are, assessing their skills gaps, and needs, and offering them an expedited training program, free of cost, that allows them to advance their careers.
KSA: What inspires you personally about this work?
GRETCHEN: When Forgers opt-into this program, they are taking a leap and committing their personal time and energy to hone their skills, advance their careers, and, hopefully, improve their lives. It has been an inspiration to watch these individuals, who are taking time away from their families, school, and work, show up engaged and enthusiastic, going above and beyond to better themselves. We have just completed our second cohort of Career Forge, and by happenstance, both have consisted of all women with extremely diverse backgrounds. In an industry where women, especially women of color, have long been underrepresented, it is inspiring to see two cohorts of women forging their careers in biotech.
Read the full interview with Gretchen here.
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Explore Kendall
Kendall After Hours
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Community Connections @ MIT
Looking for ways to let loose after work? This week, there's kickboxing with MIT's Department of Athletics (DAPER) and writing, games, and movement geared towards families with artist and educator Amanda Shea.
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Celebrate Team Spirit @ CDK
Canal District Kendall is your one stop shop for live music, group exercise classes, outdoor sips, and more! This week be sure to register for VOLO Sports Cornhole and Bocce Leagues – perfect for team building!
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Heard in Kendall
“Volunteering at the Jazz Fest is a blast! The people, the venue, the music -- it's all great. Volunteers have returned year after year but the pandemic tore a hole in that tradition. This year, there are opportunities like never before! It's a great year to get involved.
– Laurie Rothstein, executive director at Cambridge Volunteer Clearinghouse. To volunteer at this year's event, fill out this form.
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Kendall Orientation
New to Kendall Square? Don’t miss Kendall Orientation on Friday, July 29 at 12:00pm - 12:45 pm. Reserve your seat today to learn more about our community and connect with other KSA members! |
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Image via Danny Krzewski
Bayer AG is planning to take on cancer as its next major commercial focus in the U.S. — and it's selected Kendall Square as the home base for the strategy. The company has invested $140 million into a brand-new, 62,100-square-foot research campus in Kendall Square that will eventually be home to 150 employees, mostly scientists with experience in molecular oncology. Read more here.
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Image via Flavio Debarros Photography
CX Summer Nights are Back!
Visit Cambridge Crossing for live music accompanied by a revolving lineup of local brews, food trucks, lawn games, and opportunities to support the Cambridge non-profit community.
This month they are featuring Other Than Boston + Couch on the big stage. The East Cambridge Business Association will be pouring the drinks (All proceeds benefit ECBA!), plus they will have a variety of local food trucks, the Cityscapes TransPLANTed plant truck, the Photobooth Bus, and more! Save your spot today. |
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Happenings
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
CX Fit
Tuesday, July 12, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Host: Cambridge Crossing
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
Volo Sports Bocce League
Tuesday, July 12, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Host: Canal District Kendall
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
Community Night: Kickboxing with DAPER
Wednesday, July 13, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Host: MIT Open Space
SCIENCE + RESEARCH, ARTS + CULTURE
New England Synth Fest
Thursday, July 14, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Host: Museum of Science
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
CX Fit
Saturday, July 16, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Host: Cambridge Crossing
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
LEAP Lab: Writing and Movement for Families with Amanda Shea
Saturday, July 16, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Host: MIT Open Space
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
Cambridge Community Night with Artifact Cider Project
Wednesday, July 20, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Host: MIT Open Space
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
CX Summer Nights at Cambridge Crossing
Thursday, July 21, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Host: Cambridge Crossing
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
Community Night: Salsa in the Park + Ice Cream
Wednesday, July 27, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Host: MIT Open Space
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
CX Movie Nights at Cambridge Crossing
Thursday, July 28, 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Host: Cambridge Crossing
ARTS + CULTURE, VIRTUAL EVENT
Kendall Orientation
Friday, July 29, 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Host: Kendall Square Association
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
Cambridge Jazz Festival
Thursday, July 30 - 31, 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 pm
Host: Danehy Park
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In the News
— Boston Globe
— Reuters
Start-Up Funding Falls the Most It Has Since 2019
- New York Times
— Boston Business Journal
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See you on the Innovation Trail!
The newly minted Innovation Trail has three tours planned for 2022 — including one this week! Catch up with the Boston Globe's Scott Kirsner, the Broad Institute's Namrata Sengupta, and author Bob Krimm this Thursday at 4:15 p.m. For more tour detail visit the Innovation Trail website.
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