NEW YORK, NY — 5/05/2026 —The Charles H. Revson Foundation hosted its annual Biomedical Fellows Seminar and Dinner on May 5, 2026, bringing together a community of early-career scientists, established alumni, and Foundation leadership. The day-long event serves as a cornerstone of the Revson Biomedical Fellowship program, providing a platform for current fellows to share their research and foster meaningful connections.
The 2026 program featured a keynote address from one of the field’s leading investigators, followed by oral presentations from second-year fellows and a poster session showcasing the work of the first-year cohort.
Event Highlights
The seminar was opened by Maria Torres-Springer, President of the Charles H. Revson Foundation, followed by introductions from Board Directors Dr. Robert Kingston and Dr. Stephen Blacklow. Their remarks underscored the Foundation’s commitment to supporting the next generation of biomedical leaders in their pursuit of high-impact research.
Keynote Speaker Spotlight
Samara Reck-Peterson, Ph.D. Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute – Chair, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine
Selected by the Foundation’s scientific board members for her transformative contributions to cell biology, Dr. Reck-Peterson delivered a keynote address detailing the molecular mechanics of intracellular motility. Her research, which spans from atomic structures to organismal health, has been pivotal in understanding how microtubule motors like dynein function and how their dysfunction leads to neurological diseases.
Dr. Reck-Peterson’s recent work focuses on the molecular basis of Parkinson’s disease, specifically investigating the LRRK2 kinase. By identifying new mechanisms that regulate this activity, her team is helping to pave the way for actionable therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative care.
A graduate of Carleton College and Yale University, Dr. Reck-Peterson has held faculty positions at Harvard Medical School and UC San Diego before being recruited in 2025 as the inaugural chair of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Weill Cornell Medicine. An ASCB Fellow and NIH New Innovator Award recipient, she continues to lead the field through both her research and her editorial roles at the Journal of Cell Biology and Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology.
Fellow Presentations
Second-year fellows presented their recent findings, spanning a diverse array of disciplines including neuroscience, oncology, immunology, and computational biology.
Poster Session and Reception
The afternoon concluded with a cocktail reception and poster session. First-year fellows and awardees presented their initial research trajectories, engaging in peer-to-peer review and mentorship discussions with Foundation alumni and board members.
Participating First-Year Fellows included:
About the Program
The Charles H. Revson Foundation Biomedical Fellowship Program supports third and fourth year post-doctoral researchers at major New York City research institutions. Under the guidance of our Board of Directors, the program identifies scientists whose work has the potential to transform our understanding of human health and disease.