Distinguished Lectures in Life Sciences

The Distinguished Lectures in Life Sciences (DLLS) series was established nearly 30 years ago as the flagship seminar series at the Feinberg School of Medicine. This highly selective lecture series brings in highly accomplished scientists from around the country to deliver lectures on Feinberg’s Chicago campus. Highlights of this series include lectures by Nobel laureates Carolyn Bertozzi and David Julius. Lecturers spend the day at Northwestern visiting with faculty and graduate students, followed by a lecture open to the Northwestern community.

2026 Lectures

September 29: Krisi Anseth

Title is forthcoming

Hosted by Rui Yi, PhD

In-Person Event
Hughes Auditorium (Lurie 1-133)
Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center
303 E. Superior St., Chicago

Lecture: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Hughes Auditorium
Reception: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Ryan Atrium

Kristi Anseth, PhD, is distinguished professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Associate Faculty Director of the BioFrontiers Institute at the University of Colorado.

October 27: Christopher Chen

Title is forthcoming

Hosted by Kathy Green, PhD

In-Person Event
Hughes Auditorium (Lurie 1-133)
Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center
303 E. Superior St., Chicago

Lecture: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Hughes Auditorium
Reception: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Ryan Atrium

Christopher Chen, MD, PhD, is the William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Boston University and member of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University in Boston

November 3: Ming Li

Title is forthcoming

Hosted by Amy Tang and Caylee Silvers

In-Person Event
Hughes Auditorium (Lurie 1-133)
Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center
303 E. Superior St., Chicago

Lecture: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Hughes Auditorium
Reception: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Ryan Atrium

January 19, 2027: Joseph Mougous

Title is forthcoming

Hosted by Karla Satchell, PhD

In-Person Event
Hughes Auditorium (Lurie 1-133)
Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center
303 E. Superior St., Chicago

Lecture: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Hughes Auditorium
Reception: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Ryan Atrium

Joseph Mougous, PhD, is the John F. Enders Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator at Yale University.