Join us for an evening of tours, fireside chats, demonstration tables, and poster presentations where we give you an inside look into how the BIO5 Institute brings together interdisciplinary researchers to tackle grand challenges in health.
When
In-Person | Free Event
We invite the Arizona community to join us for an evening of tours, fireside chats, demonstration tables, and poster presentations at the BIO5 Institute!
Meet researchers behind the collaborations that forge innovative solutions for evolving disease, nutrition, water, and food safety challenges impacting Arizona and beyond. Not only do we make discoveries and create better technology, but we also transfer those innovations from the labs to our community.
Register for this free event today!
Check out the schedule below for an exciting overview of the event, including key details on what to expect, as well as essential information on parking and transportation!
Schedule
4:30 p.m. | Registration opens
Check-in at the registration table starting at 4:30 p.m. (we encourage you to register before the event). Our friendly staff will provide you with a map and answer any questions you may have about the evening.
Be sure to take this opportunity to sign up for a tour of one of our cutting-edge labs in the tri-building complex.
4:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Explore demonstration tables and visit research posters
Demonstration Tables: Throughout the evening, explore hands-on demonstration tables in the Thomas W. Keating Breezeway, featuring family-friendly activities where our scientists will offer interactive experiences with their work.
Pick up some BIO5 swag and chat with researchers about exciting topics like neuroscience, aging, imaging, and pharmacy.
KEYS Research Internship Alumni Poster Showcase: Don’t miss the chance to connect with around 15 alums from the BIO5 Institute's KEYS Research Internship as they present their posters in the Medical Research Building.
The Keep Youth Engaging in Science (KEYS) Research Internship program epitomizes our commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders. Through a transformative 7-week summer experience, interns engage in real-world bioscience research mentored by U of A faculty, many of whom are esteemed members of the BIO5 Institute.
Learn about their innovative projects and discover how their immersive high school internship experiences have shaped their careers in science!
4:40 - 5:45 p.m. | Fireside Chats
Elevate your understanding of diverse scientific disciplines during our fireside chats, scheduled from 4:40 to 5:45 p.m. inside the Thomas W. Keating Building (Room 103).
Fireside Chat Duration: Each fireside chat will last less than 10 minutes. We encourage you to come from one, two, or all the the chats! You'll listen to passionate scientists and hear about what fuels their research, from biomedical engineering and data science to public health and precision medicine. You are welcome to come and go between our fireside guest chats to explore the other aspects of Behind BIO5 (poster presentations, research demonstration tables, and tours).
Opportunity for Questions: Our fireside chat guests will step outside the room to provide you an opportunity to ask questions one-on-one.
Fireside Chat Line-up: Our BIO5 Institute director, Jennifer Barton, will kick off the fireside chats at 4:40 p.m.
4:45 p.m. Judith Su, PhD 
Biomedical engineer developing small sensors to solve big problems. | 4:55 p.m. Lee Ryan, PhD 
Cognitive neuroscientist investigating how our brain changes with aging. | 5:05 p.m. Nirav Merchant 
Data scientist bridging the gap between computational tools and scientific research. |
5:15 p.m. Leslie Farland, ScD 
Epidemiologist improving women’s reproductive and gynecologic health. | 5:25 p.m. Travis Wheeler, PhD 
Bioinformatician advancing drug discovery and personalized medicine. | 5:35 p.m. Alex Bucksch, PhD 
Computational plant biologist using imaging and technology to transform agriculture. |
4:45 - 6:30 p.m. | Lab Tours*
*Space is limited. Participants must be 16+
Take 30-minute lab tours exploring various fields, including prototype manufacturing, cardiovascular research, genetics, immunobiology, and more
What to Expect For Lab Tours:
- Sign up at the registration table for a time slot that works for you.
- Multiple tours can be booked; BIO5 staff will help you schedule to explore all aspects of Behind BIO5.
- Tours are limited in space and all offer intimate conversations with BIO5 researchers.
- Each tour lasts approximately 30 minutes.
- Participants must be 16+.
- Closed-toe shoes are required.
- No food or drinks allowed in labs.
- Photography is permitted with discretion—ask researchers if unsure.
This is your chance to explore cutting-edge labs and engage with scientists about their groundbreaking work.
Parking & Transportation
Free Surface Lot Parking: Beginning at 4:00 p.m., guests can park on surface lots east (Lot 2147) and west (Lot 2029) of the Thomas W. Keating Building. See the U of A Campus Parking Map for more details.
Paid Garage Parking: Paid hourly garage parking is available in the Highland Avenue Garage (located at 1420 E Helen Street) Learn more about visitor parking information for University of Arizona garages.
SunLink: Hop off the SunLink Street Car at Warren and Helen St., directly across the street from the BIO5 Institute.
Bicycles: There are a number of bicycle racks on the west side of the Thomas W. Keating Building available for public use.