Dr. Martin to Speak Synthetic Biology and Ethics
Mark your calendars! On Friday, September 18, 2026, Dr. Martin is hitting the podium at Rice University's James A. Baker III Hall, where he'll join a stacked lineup of scientists, ethicists, and policy advisors for "Synthetic Biology at the Intersection of Science, Ethics, and Policy."
So, What's This Symposium About?
In short: synthetic biology is barreling forward. With engineered genes, redesigned pathways, and organisms built to solve real-world problems, the world is racing to catch up with what should be allowed and how it should be regulated. The Baker Institute's Science and Technology Policy Program, teaming up with the Rice Synthetic Biology Institute, is bringing together the people building this future with the people thinking hard about its guardrails. Two big themes anchor the day: environmental applications and therapeutic applications of synthetic biology.
Dr. Martin's Moment
Dr. Martin will be featured on the afternoon Panel on Therapeutic Applications at 3:15 PM, sharing the stage with an impressive crew:
Ron Weiss, Ph.D. — Professor of Biological Engineering, MIT
Caleb Bashor, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor of Bioengineering, Rice University
Rosario Isasi, J.D., M.P.H. — Director of the Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy, University of Miami
That's engineering, genomics, cardiovascular biology, and bioethics/law all sharing one microphone. Expect a lively conversation and probably a few pointed questions from the audience during the moderated Q&A that follows.
The Full Day, At a Glance
9:10 AM — Plenary: Environmental Applications
10:00 AM — Panel: Environmental Applications
Noon — Lunch + Plenary Speaker (Timothy Caulfield, University of Alberta)
2:00 PM — Keynote: David Baker, Nobel Laureate
2:35 PM — Plenary: Therapeutic Applications
3:15 PM — 🎤 Panel: Therapeutic Applications — featuring Dr. Martin!
5:15 PM — Closing Remarks + Reception
Why This Matters for the Lab
Our work on Hippo-YAP signaling, cardiac regeneration, and gene therapy approaches (looking at you, SALVADOR-HF) sits squarely at the crossroads this symposium is exploring, where cutting-edge biology meets the very real questions of safety, access, and public trust. It's a great chance for Dr. Martin to represent the lab's translational research on a stage built specifically for that conversation.
Want to Go?
The event is free but requires registration. It runs 9 AM–5 PM at James A. Baker III Hall, Rice University. Follow #BakerLive on X for real-time updates if you can't make it in person.
We'll be cheering Dr. Martin on from the lab, and we fully expect a recap when he's back.
See you there, Houston science people! 🧬