Keynote Speaker: Dr. Kristen Hege
Pioneering Car-T Cell Therapy in Oncology
We had the honor of hosting Dr. Kristen M. Hege who delivered a memorable keynote to our community, sharing wisdom gained from her transformative journey through academic medicine and biotech leadership. As one of the earliest innovators in CAR-T cell therapy for oncology, Dr. Hege offered invaluable insights drawn from nearly three decades at the forefront of cancer research and drug development.
Beyond her remarkable scientific achievements, Dr. Hege connected deeply with our community by sharing personal stories that illuminated her path to success. She spoke movingly about the profound influence of her grandmother and mother, whose examples of determination and excellence helped shape her own groundbreaking career. Drawing creative parallels between her experience hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and the challenges of building biotech companies, Dr. Hege illustrated how persistence, adaptability, and embracing uncertainty are crucial to both scientific and personal achievement.
Her message left our audience energized and inspired about the boundless possibilities in cancer therapeutics and cell therapy, while reinforcing the importance of resilience and vision in advancing scientific breakthroughs.
Continuing her commitment to fostering the next generation of scientific pioneers, Dr. Hege has established a fundraiser supporting early-career women in science and medicine, inspired by her Pacific Crest Trail journey. Those interested in empowering future innovators can contribute to this inspiring initiative here.
