On the 28th and 29th of July 2022, the University of Cambridge had the pleasure to host the Herchel Smith Research Symposium. After two years of online events, the cohorts of Ph.D. students and academics from Cambridge and Harvard universities could finally reunite in person! The event took place in Newnham College, with a poster session hosted in Wolfson College. It was attended by over 50 Herchel Smith Ph.D. students, professors, and administrative representatives from both institutions. Additionally, for the first time we were joined by the family members of the late Dr. Herchel Smith – Marcus Smith together with his wife Jennifer and daughter Hope.
The event was inaugurated by Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and International Partnerships, who also gave a scientific talk on Epigenetics inheritance. It was followed by the students' talks and poster presentations which no doubt set up a particularly high standard for future symposia. Additionally, we were pleased to welcome some of our alumni members who stirred interesting and insightful discussions on post-PhD career paths and opportunities. The event was closed by a talk provided by Professor Susan Dymecki from Harvard University on Affective disorders, seasonal photoperiod, and adaptive neurotransmitter remodelling.
The Symposium Dinner took place in Corpus Christi College, and it was attended by the entire Herchel Smith community: students, postdoctoral fellows, professors, and other affiliated members of the universities. The Symposium allowed us to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Herchel Smith whose enormous generosity has had a truly remarkable impact on both Cambridge and Harvard universities, and it has provided immense research opportunities to numerous senior and junior scientists at both institutions.
We hope that all Symposium participants enjoyed their time in Cambridge, UK and we look forward to the next Herchel Smith Symposium at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts in summer 2023!
Pictures thanks to Wolfson College
