
The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) will participate in the 2025 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), taking place from February 13 to 15 in Boston, USA. The AAAS Meeting is one of the largest international gatherings of scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders, fostering discussions on global scientific challenges and the future of research. This year’s theme, "Science Shaping Tomorrow," will explore how interdisciplinary collaboration drives innovation and advances knowledge across scientific fields.
HFSP will contribute to the event as an exhibitor, providing insights into its international funding programs that support frontier research in the life sciences. Attendees are encouraged to visit the exhibitor booth to learn about HFSP's initiatives. Additionally, HFSP will host three dedicated events aimed at engaging with the broader scientific community:
HFSP Special Session: A Transformative Era in the Biological Sciences
This session will focus on the latest breakthroughs in the biological sciences and their implications for future research. It will feature discussions on transformative scientific discoveries and their impact on global challenges.
Schedule: 14 February 2025, 10:00 AM
Venue: Room 306- Hynes Convention Center
Speakers:
![]() | Guntram Bauer, Guntram Bauer is the Chief Scientific Officer at the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSP) in Strasbourg, France, where he leads scientific strategy, outreach, and engagement. Previously, he served as Director of Science Policy & Communications and Director of HFSP Fellowship Programs. Guntram holds a PhD in plant biology from the University of Bayreuth, Germany. His research has focused on the impact of increased atmospheric CO2 on temperate forest ecosystems, and he has been involved in international expeditions in Siberia, Argentina, and Zimbabwe. He joined HFSP in 2004 as its scientific director. |
![]() | Lakshminarayanan Mahadevan Mahadevan explores how matter organizes in space and time, focusing on shape, flow, and the physical principles underlying biological and everyday phenomena. His interdisciplinary research, spanning mathematics, physics, and biology, has led to insights into topics ranging from plant growth to human physiology. A MacArthur Fellow and a member of the Royal Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he is a professor at Harvard University, where he also serves as Faculty Dean of Mather House, fostering a dynamic learning environment for students. |
![]() | Satyajit Mayor A leading cell biologist, Mayor explores the fine structure, function, and dynamics of living cell membranes, integrating methods from biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. His research has advanced our understanding of membrane organization and its role in cellular processes. Former Director of NCBS and a key figure in India’s life sciences ecosystem, he co-founded the Centre for Cellular Platforms to support biotech innovation. Now a Leverhulme International Professor at the University of Warwick, he is a member of prestigious academies, including the US National Academy of Sciences and EMBO. |
![]() | Fulufhelo Nelwamondo Fulufhelo Nelwamondo is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Research Foundation of South Africa. A specialist in computational intelligence, he holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand and was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University as the youngest recipient of the Harvard-South Africa Fellowship. Passionate about the potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to address global challenges, Nelwamondo has worked extensively in advanced modeling, information security, data science, and artificial intelligence. He has served on numerous boards, ministerial task teams, and advisory committees. In recognition of his contributions to science and technology, he was awarded the Order of Mapungubwe in Silver, South Africa’s highest civilian honor. |
HFSP Workshop: Tracing the Frontiers in the Life Sciences
This workshop will bring together leading researchers to discuss emerging trends in the life sciences, highlighting interdisciplinary approaches and novel methodologies.
Schedule: 14 February 2025, 2:30 PM
Venue: Expo Level - Hynes Convention Center
Speakers:
![]() | Pavel Kabat, Pavel Kabat is the Secretary General of the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO) since June 2021. A trained mathematician and hydrologist, he has made significant contributions to earth system sciences with a focus on transdisciplinary approaches. Prior to HFSPO, he was the Chief Scientist and Research Director at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Director General of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). A professor at Wageningen University since the late 1990s, he has supervised over 100 PhD students. Kabat is the author of around 450 publications and a member of various international science bodies. He has received several prestigious awards, including 2007 Nobel Peace Prize as a co-recipient of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). |
![]() | Alfred Crosby Crosby specializes in bioinspired materials mechanics, developing innovative surfaces, adhesives, and soft materials that mimic natural phenomena, such as gecko adhesion and plant mechanics. As Professor and Head of the Polymer Science & Engineering Department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, his research spans adhesion, complex assembly, and high-power actuation, with applications in robotics, healthcare, and advanced materials. A Fellow of the American Physical Society and the National Academy of Inventors, he also serves as Editor-in-Chief of Soft Matter and contributes to advisory boards shaping the future of materials science. |
![]() | Sarah Teichmann A pioneer in cellular genomics, Teichmann develops and applies cell atlas technologies to map human tissue architecture, focusing on immune system diversity and development. She co-founded and co-leads the Human Cell Atlas, a global initiative to create reference maps of all human cells. Now a Professor of Stem Cell Medicine at the University of Cambridge, she previously led the Cellular Genetics programme at the Sanger Institute. A Fellow of the Royal Society and Academy of Medical Sciences, her contributions have been recognized with multiple awards, including the EMBO Gold Medal and the FEBS|EMBO Women in Science Award. |
![]() | Holden Thorpe A chemist turned science communicator, Thorp champions the intersection of research, policy, and public engagement. As Editor-in-Chief of Science, he drives discussions on scientific integrity, innovation, and the global impact of cutting-edge discoveries. |
Meet & Greet the Researchers
HFSP will also organize two informal networking sessions at the HFSP booth. These sessions will provide an opportunity to interact with speakers from HFSP’s sessions, including HFSP alumni, and discuss their experiences in cutting-edge research supported by HFSP.
Schedule: 14 February 2025,
Venue: Expo Level - HFSP Booth
Session: 11:30 AM
![]() Harvard University, USA | ![]() Warwick University, UK |
Session: 4:00 PM
![]() University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA | ![]() University of Cambridge, U.K. |
Download the HFSP Program at the AAAS Annual Meeting 2025.
For more information about the AAAS Meeting 2025, visit the official conference website.