Bench to Breakthrough — BioCurious Speaker Series #1

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent Open House and Lab Tour! The highlight of the evening was the launch of BioCurious Speaker Series #1: Bench to Breakthrough, featuring insightful presentations and Q&A sessions with two world-class scientists in Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).

Our guests explored decades of pioneering research—ranging from imaging individual molecules to unlocking the secrets of biomineralization.

Featured Speakers

• Dr. Jane Frommer (Pioneer in Nanoscience & Nanotechnology | Caltech Ph.D., Former IBM Research, 2020 Perkin Medal Recipient) A trailblazer in scanning probe microscopy, Dr. Frommer demonstrated single-molecule imaging with STM at IBM Research and expanded AFM capabilities to distinguish molecular species within monolayers at the University of Basel. Holding over 50 patents and 100+ publications, her career spans lithography, 3D nanoprinting, and biological nanostructures.

• Dr. Jinhui Tao (Founder & Director, Tao Institute LLC | Zhejiang University Ph.D., Former PNNL Senior Scientist) With 17+ years of AFM expertise in biomineralization and energy materials, Dr. Tao shared groundbreaking insights into how proteins like amelogenin guide tooth enamel formation—revealing non-classical nucleation pathways and the “Goldilocks Effect” in mineral growth. With over 100 peer-reviewed papers (including Science and Nature Communications), his work bridges biology, in-situ AFM, and advanced materials.