Mid-West Bio Research & Industry Conference Kansas – Midwest BRICK

JOIN US August 4-5, 2026

We are excited about holding our annual conference for the first time this year at the University of Kansas Edwards Campus, where we will be bringing together leaders from academia, startups, industry, investment, and economic development for two high‑impact days of discovery and collaboration.

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MIDWEST BIO RESEARCH AND INDUSTRY CONFERENCE KC

MIDWEST BRICK

The Forces Shaping the Next Generation of Biomanufacturing
August 4–5, 2026  •  Overland Park, KS DRAFT AGENDA
DAY 1 August 4, 2026 Research Symposium
8:00 – 9:00 AMArrival, Registration & Breakfast
9:00 – 10:30 AMSession I: Organoids Chairs: Darby Stanford, PhD  •  Scott Younger, Ph.D. Keynote + Research Presentations
10:30 – 10:45 AMCoffee Break
10:45 AM – 12:15 PMSession II: Rare Disease Chair: Lorena Maili, PhD Research Presentations
12:15 – 1:15 PMLunch & Networking CV submission  •  Open job posting  •  Connecting the right people
1:15 – 2:30 PMSession III: Biomaterials and Bioengineering Chair: Hanieh Sadat Ghazali Research Presentations – Tim Dawsey + Postdoc
2:30 – 2:45 PMCoffee Break
2:45 – 4:15 PMSession IV: Cancer Meets Materials Science Chair: Cameron Berry, PhD Research Presentations
4:15 – 4:30 PMCoffee Break
4:30 – 5:15 PMKeynote: Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence Chair: Aaron Smith, PhD Speaker: Dr. Andrew Abumoussa
5:15 – 6:30 PMPoster Session & Networking
VIP RECEPTION   August 4, 2026  •  7:00 – 9:00 PM  •  KU Edwards (Overland Park, KS)
DAY 2 August 5, 2026 Trade Show
8:00 – 9:00 AM

Arrival, Registration & Breakfast

9:00 – 9:15 AMWelcome & Opening Remarks – Kevin Mills, President & CEO, AdAstra BIO; Presented by Kansas Manufacturing Solutions
9:15 – 9:45 AMKeynote Address – Dr. Kelvin Lee, Director, National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals   Title: “Collaborative Innovation in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing for U.S. Competitiveness”
9:45 – 10:30 AMMorning Plenary Session Federal Policy and Regulatory Dynamics That Will Shape Biomanufacturing in the Next Decade Bioscience industries are rapidly evolving against a backdrop of seismic shifts in federal policy – regulation, trade policy, research funding, manufacturing investment, and more – that will create both pressure and opportunity. Speakers include: Moderator: Melissa Roberts Chapman – Director, KC BioHub    
10:30 – 11:30 AMBreakout Workshops (proposed) The KC BioHub – How The Puzzle Pieces Fit TogetherThe Emerging Biocollar Workforce Kansas Manufacturing Solutions – Your Partner in Manufacturing SuccessIndustry Sponsored Breakouts
11:30 AM – 2:30 PMExtended Exhibit Hall Viewing & Open Lunch
2:00 – 2:30 PMConcurrent Engagement Session(s) Industry Spotlights – Company presentations and meet-and-greet
2:30 – 3:15 PMAfternoon Plenary Session The Evolving Bioscience Workforce: Challenges and Solutions The nature of bioscience industry is rapidly evolving, with new technologies, new products, and new investments in domestic manufacturing capacity. Speakers include: John Balchunas – Director, Workforce Development, NIIMBLAngela Consani – CEO, Bioscience Core Skills Institute (Moderator)Rob Morrison – Senior Director, Pfizer  
3:15 – 3:45 PMClosing Address – Mayor Curt Skoog, Overland Park
3:45 – 4:00 PMAwards Ceremony
4:00 – 6:00 PMCocktail Hour & Exhibit Hall Open

DRAFT – Subject to Change  •  Midwest BRICK 2026

Submit Your Research

KC RiBS, in collaboration with Ad Astra Bio, invites researchers, trainees, and industry partners to submit abstracts for our upcoming symposium. This event will highlight cutting-edge bioscience research while strengthening connections between academia and the rapidly expanding regional bioscience industry. Poster abstracts will be accepted on a rolling basis, and a select number of submissions will be chosen for oral presentations. Don’t miss the opportunity to share your work, gain visibility, and engage with leaders across the Kansas City bioscience community. 

Submit Your Abstract Here

Attendee Registration

Industry – $450 ($375 Early Bird)

Community – $275 ($200 Early Bird)

Students – Free

 
 

Vendor Exhibit Tables – $1,000

Sign up early for the Industry Table and have a choice in participating in the Science Symposium – Career Exhibit Tables on Day 1 of BRICK; accepting only 20 exhibitors for the Career Exhibition.

 

Sponsorships Available

  • Conference Sponsors
    • Platinum Event Sponsor
    • Gold Event Sponsor
    • Silver Event Sponsor
  • Specific Event Sponsorships Available
    • VIP Reception
    • Welcoming Remarks – KMS Sponsored
    • Keynote Address
    • Breakfast 
    • Lunch 
    • Coffee Breaks 
    • Cocktail Hour 
    • National Travel Awards 
    • Regional Travel Awards 
    • Community Awards 
    • Student Career Awards 
    • Pens 
    • Notebooks 
    • Passports 
    • Totes – Science and Wellness Innovative Management Sponsored
    • Lanyards – ARC Technologies Sponsored
    • AdAstra BIO T-shirts