​About NOVA

​​The Neuroscience of Vitality and Aging (NOVA) Conference, hosted by the Aging Initiative (aging-initiative.org), is the premier event in 2026 focused on brain aging and age-related neurodegenerative conditions. 

​​NOVA will take place on April 25, 2026 from 9 AM to 5 PM, and will feature leading researchers, clinicians, biotech entrepreneurs, and patient advocacy leaders. Throughout panel discussions, inspirational keynotes, and workshop sessions attendees will engage deeply with the frontier of brain aging research and translation.

​​These sessions will cover recent clinical breakthroughs in neurodegenerative disease therapeutics, regenerative and stem-cell–based approaches, neurotechnology and BCIs, investment and policy shifts, and strategies to preserve cognitive function across the lifespan. 

​​Confirmed Speakers:

• ​Ed Boyden (McGovern Institute, MIT)

• ​Daniel Carbonero (Investment Associate, PsyMed Ventures)

• ​Alex Colville (General Partner, Age1 VC)

• ​Merit Cudkowicz (Executive Director, MGB Neuroscience Institute)

• ​Jim Gorman (Wyss Institute)

• ​Heike Hering (Head of AD & Dementia Research, Biogen)

• ​Christian Howell (CEO, Cognito)

• ​Jean Hébert (Program Manager, ARPA-H)

• ​Martin Jacko (Founder & CEO, Aperture)

• ​Heer Joshier (Co-President, Nucleate)

• ​Kat Kajderowicz (Graduate Student, MIT & Principal, Age1 VC)

• ​Patrick Malone (Partner, KdT Ventures)

• ​J Ross (Co-Founder & CEO, Alleo Labs)

• ​Brandi Simpson (Senior Vice President, Business Development, Switch Therapeutics)

• ​Mark Tomishima (Senior Vice President, BlueRock Therapeutics)

• ​Tim Turner (Global Head of Neurology, Sanofi)

​​This event is open to individuals of all career stages. Attendance is free of charge thanks to our generous sponsors, although please note: registration approval is required to attend!

​​About the Aging Initiative: 

​​The Aging Initiative is a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Boston. We actively build community across the New England aging research ecosystem, and through NOVA, are aiming to address a critical gap in the brain-aging field: the lack of accessible, integrative forums that connect clinical translation and real-world implementation. 

​​If you would like to sponsor NOVA, please contact us at [email protected]