The Final Chapter.
What Can This Ecosystem Make Possible?
On September 22, the 2026 Philly Underdog Series closes with one conversation about poverty, economic mobility, what is actually working, and what Greater Philadelphia’s life sciences ecosystem can make possible.
CYTO | PHL
Four Perspectives. One Final Conversation.
Christopher P. Molineaux, Cate McCanless, Dan Rhoton, and Nyree Oliver will bring industry, corporate, workforce, and career perspectives to the same question: what does real progress against poverty require?
The Conversation
What works. How we know. What makes opportunity last. And what this industry can contribute beyond philanthropic dollars alone.
Bring a Bag
Bring a new or gently used suitcase for Families Forward Philadelphia. We will collect luggage at registration for families entering or leaving emergency shelter.
Hear the Series Come Together.
Dr. Alia Qatarneh gave Philly Underdog its own soundtrack.
September 22 · CYTO | PHL
Life sciences professionals attend complimentary. Service Provider / Supporting Partner registration is $100. Advance registration is required.
All registrations, ticket purchases, and donations are final and non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, your payment will remain a charitable contribution to Life Science Cares Philadelphia and support our mission and programs.
How We Got Here.
Opportunity. Stability. Education. Now the lens widens to poverty, economic mobility, and what our industry can make possible across Greater Philadelphia.
Inside the Build
The choices made while companies, teams, careers, and an ecosystem are being built.
Stability Before Opportunity
Basic needs, resilience, broken systems, and the foundation people need before longer-term opportunity is possible.
Before the Breakthrough
Education, exposure, mentorship, and the experiences that shape who can imagine a future in science.
Final Chapter
Poverty, economic mobility, and what Greater Philadelphia’s life sciences community can make possible when its people, resources, and influence connect to work already producing results.
Before the Breakthrough
Session 3 explored education as a poverty disruption strategy, beginning with Katherine A. High, MD and continuing with Jason Diaz, Meaghan Gonser, Tyraine Ragsdale, Gwen Fisher-Trent, and Abigail Campbell across education, industry, workforce pathways, and personal experience.
Stability Before Opportunity
Session 2 explored why stability matters before longer-term opportunity is possible, opening with David C. Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc and widening into a conversation about resilience, basic needs, leadership, and the gaps people face when systems do not work as intended.
Inside the Build
The sold-out launch began inside the build itself, with Lake N. Paul, PhD, Martin Lehr, R. Carter Caldwell, Raymond John, Rema Aldaraji, and Sharon Willis, PhD exploring the choices shaping companies, careers, talent, and Philadelphia’s growing life sciences ecosystem.
Our 2026 Underdog Series Partners
Their support helps keep the Underdog Series accessible while advancing Life Science Cares Philadelphia’s broader work to disrupt poverty across Greater Philadelphia.
The Series Has Been Building to This.
Join us for one last Underdog conversation in 2026.