Surfaceome research is a rapidly growing frontier for drug discovery, offering a rich source of accessible targets for ADCs, bispecific antibodies, CAR-T, and other next-generation therapeutics. Join us for an engaging afternoon of Surfaceome Seminars & Happy Hour, bringing together scientists to share emerging science, discuss new approaches in surface-target discovery, and exchange ideas in a relaxed setting. Come for the science, stay for the conversation—and connect with others advancing surfaceome research.
Featured Speakers
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Dr. Ying Zhu Senior Principal Scientist, Group Lead, Genentech |
Dr. Ying Zhu is a Senior Principal Scientist and group lead at Genentech, where he leads a team developing and applying ultrasensitive spatial and functional proteomics technologies for drug discovery, from early-stage target discovery to biomarker identification. Before joining Genentech, he was an Associate Professor at Zhejiang University and a Senior Research Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Dr. Zhu invented the nanoPOTS, nanoSPLITS, and nanoMAPS platforms, which pioneer major technical advances in single-cell proteomics, spatial proteomics, multi-omics research, and surface proteomics. His research is recognized by many international and national awards, such as the Analytical Scientist's Top 40 Under 40, Robert J. Cotter New Investigator Award (usHUPO), and ACS 2023 Rising Stars in Measurement Science. |
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Dr. Abhilash Barpanda Postdoc Researcher, Dr. Arun Wiita Lab, UCSF |
Dr. Abhilash Barpanda is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Arun Wiita Lab at UCSF, where he develops mass spectrometry-based proteomics technologies for target discovery and immunotherapy in blood cancers. His research focuses on identifying novel cell-surface antigens and proteoforms in hematological malignancies, including AML and multiple myeloma. By integrating high-resolution proteomics with translational research, he aims to uncover new therapeutic targets and advance next-generation cancer immunotherapies. He earned his PhD in Clinical Proteomics from IIT Bombay. |
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Dr. JC Liao Founder & CEO, Syncell |
Dr. JC Liao is the Founder and CEO of Syncell, a life sciences technology company pioneering microscopy-guided proteomics. Dr. Liao leads Syncell’s global business strategy, technology development, and commercialization, establishing the company as a leading innovator in proteomics technology. Prior to founding Syncell, Dr. Liao was a Research Fellow at Academia Sinica and an Assistant Professor at Columbia University focusing on research in cell biology and advanced microscopy. He received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from MIT. |
Agenda
Event Timing: Thursday 15th October 2026, 3:00-6:00 pm PT
| 15:00 - 15:10 | Welcome | Nikhil Rao, PhD (Syncell | CCO) |
| 15:10 - 15:40 | Profiling the surfaceome of rare pathogenic cells for inflammatory disease (25min + 5min Q&A) | Dr. Ying Zhu (Genentech | Senior Principal Scientist, Group Lead) |
| 15:40 - 16:10 | Expanding the AML Immunotherapy Target Landscape Through Unbiased Surface Proteomics (25min + 5min Q&A) | Dr. Abhilash Barpanda (UCSF Dr. Arun Wiita Lab | Postdoc Researcher) |
| 16:10 - 16:40 | Microscopy-Guided Proteomics for Surfaceome Discovery (25min + 5min Q&A) | Dr. JC Liao (Syncell | Founder &CEO) |
| 16:40 - 17:00 | Discussion Session | Nikhil Rao, PhD (Syncell | CCO) |
| 17:00 - 18:00 | Happy Hour |
Event Address: Chandlery at the Shore 1200 Sierra Point Pkwy Suite 100A, Brisbane, CA
In-person space is limited—reserve your seat today!
 |
Surfaceome research is a rapidly growing frontier for drug discovery, offering a rich source of accessible targets for ADCs, bispecific antibodies, CAR-T, and other next-generation therapeutics. Join us for an engaging afternoon of Surfaceome Seminars & Happy Hour, bringing together scientists to share emerging science, discuss new approaches in surface-target discovery, and exchange ideas in a relaxed setting. Come for the science, stay for the conversation—and connect with others advancing surfaceome research.
Featured Speakers
|
Dr. Ying Zhu Senior Principal Scientist, Group Lead, Genentech |
Dr. Ying Zhu is a Senior Principal Scientist and group lead at Genentech, where he leads a team developing and applying ultrasensitive spatial and functional proteomics technologies for drug discovery, from early-stage target discovery to biomarker identification. Before joining Genentech, he was an Associate Professor at Zhejiang University and a Senior Research Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Dr. Zhu invented the nanoPOTS, nanoSPLITS, and nanoMAPS platforms, which pioneer major technical advances in single-cell proteomics, spatial proteomics, multi-omics research, and surface proteomics. His research is recognized by many international and national awards, such as the Analytical Scientist's Top 40 Under 40, Robert J. Cotter New Investigator Award (usHUPO), and ACS 2023 Rising Stars in Measurement Science. |
|
Dr. Abhilash Barpanda Postdoc Researcher, Dr. Arun Wiita Lab, UCSF |
Dr. Abhilash Barpanda is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Arun Wiita Lab at UCSF, where he develops mass spectrometry-based proteomics technologies for target discovery and immunotherapy in blood cancers. His research focuses on identifying novel cell-surface antigens and proteoforms in hematological malignancies, including AML and multiple myeloma. By integrating high-resolution proteomics with translational research, he aims to uncover new therapeutic targets and advance next-generation cancer immunotherapies. He earned his PhD in Clinical Proteomics from IIT Bombay. |
|
Dr. JC Liao Founder & CEO, Syncell |
Dr. JC Liao is the Founder and CEO of Syncell, a life sciences technology company pioneering microscopy-guided proteomics. Dr. Liao leads Syncell’s global business strategy, technology development, and commercialization, establishing the company as a leading innovator in proteomics technology. Prior to founding Syncell, Dr. Liao was a Research Fellow at Academia Sinica and an Assistant Professor at Columbia University focusing on research in cell biology and advanced microscopy. He received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from MIT. |
Agenda
Event Timing: Thursday 15th October 2026, 3:00-6:00 pm PT
| 15:00 - 15:10 | Welcome | Nikhil Rao, PhD (Syncell | CCO) |
| 15:10 - 15:40 | Profiling the surfaceome of rare pathogenic cells for inflammatory disease (25min + 5min Q&A) | Dr. Ying Zhu (Genentech | Senior Principal Scientist, Group Lead) |
| 15:40 - 16:10 | Expanding the AML Immunotherapy Target Landscape Through Unbiased Surface Proteomics (25min + 5min Q&A) | Dr. Abhilash Barpanda (UCSF Dr. Arun Wiita Lab | Postdoc Researcher) |
| 16:10 - 16:40 | Microscopy-Guided Proteomics for Surfaceome Discovery (25min + 5min Q&A) | Dr. JC Liao (Syncell | Founder &CEO) |
| 16:40 - 17:00 | Discussion Session | Nikhil Rao, PhD (Syncell | CCO) |
| 17:00 - 18:00 | Happy Hour |
Event Address: Chandlery at the Shore 1200 Sierra Point Pkwy Suite 100A, Brisbane, CA
In-person space is limited—reserve your seat today!
|