The University Club of New York | One West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019
Reception: 6:00 PM Program & Dinner: 7:00 PM Dress Code: Festive or Business Attire (jacket and collared shirt for men required)
Join us for the Academy’s premiere fundraising event of the year, an unforgettable evening of innovation and discovery at our Spring Soirée, hosted by Academy President and CEO, Nicholas Dirks.
Together, we will celebrate the exceptional achievements of accomplished figures who have expanded the frontiers of knowledge and are shaping the future of science.
The Soirée promises to be an inspiring evening, filled with engaging conversations and captivating stories of scientific triumph. This event will offer a wonderful opportunity for you to network with scientific leaders from companies, universities and research institutes, and philanthropic organizations.
Honorees
Maria Gotsch
President and Chief Executive Officer, The Partnership Fund for NYC Recipient of the Visionary Award
Dr. Sanjay Gupta
Chief Medical Correspondent, CNN Recipient of the Science Communicator Award
Josh Lerner
Jacob H. Schiff Professor, Harvard Business School; Co-Director, HBS Private Capital Project Recipient of the Constellation Award
John Sexton
NYU President Emeritus and NYAS Chair Emeritus Recipient of the Trailblazer Award
STEM Honorees
Rocheli Apilan
Teacher, High School For Health Professions & Human Services STEM Teacher of the Year
Samay Garg
PhD Candidate, Columbia University STEM Mentor of the Year
Dinner Chair
Seema Kumar
CEO, Cure.
Sponsors
Underwriter
Benefactors
Laura B. Sachar
Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon
Soirée Partners
The Carson Family Charitable Trust
Cindy and Brian Gavin
Academic Patrons
VIPs & Friends of the Soirée
Brian Krisberg
Benefit Plan Manager
Robert Catell
Jerry Hultin
Kauff McGuire & Margolis LLP
Kevin Ryan
Masaki Tan
Mushett Family Foundation
OneDigital
Club Quarters
The Sky Foundation
Learn More
Our annual soirée provides an opportunity to celebrate and share our work, and to raise funds to support our mission of advancing scientific research, education and policy. View past soirée highlights here.
To attend, click the “Register” button at the time of the presentation. It will take you directly to the Zoom call.
Welcome and Introductions: 11:30 AM to 11:45 AM
Main Presentation: 11:45 AM to 2:30 PM
AI Data Center Boom: High Cost/Benefit, Locally & Environmentally
Tech companies are racing to expand data center capacity to win the competition for commercial dominance, most prominently through the AI path. This surge has been encouraged by the current business and political environment including new federal industrial policies, abundant capital, disregulation, and hype of AI.
Business tactics prioritizing immediate business interests over the public interest may include:
Bending/breaking some constraints, including legal ones
Building fast before anyone can react
Minimizing disclosure of critical data center features
Obfuscation of site ownership via complex LLCs, trusts, etc.
I will present brief summaries of findings from technical journals, newspapers, and magazines. Informative YouTube video segments will be included to elicit group discussion.
Speaker
Philip W. Apruzzese (BE Chem. E., MS Technology Mgmt., CHMM) graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ. He was employed in the pharmaceutical industry (Squibb, Beecham, Schering-Plough) for nearly 40 years, holding manufacturing operations, project, research pilot plant startup, and environmental compliance management positions. From 2010 to 2019 he was employed part-time as a Chem Eng/Environmental, health and safety consultant in addition to working seasonally as a Level C Official for USA Cycling racing events.
Since relocating to the Seattle area he has begun volunteer work with several non-profit community cycling/Recycling resources and advocacy organizations. Additionally he volunteers online with the Summit Old Guard, an organization for retired business and professional men.
In April, 2015, he spoke on Tour de France cycling performance enhancements – Post Lance/Post Drugs and in 2019 he presented on The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of lithium ion batteries. In 2021 he presented on The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of asymmetric organocatalysis. In April 2025 he spoke along with Stuart Kurtz on Becoming a Chemical Engineer: Two Stories.
Investment in companies offering technologies and services that enable decarbonization recently faced increased headwinds. Despite the urgent need for innovation in this area, it remains unclear whether we are seeing the development of economically viable new ventures or a repeat of the boom and bust associated with “cleantech” in the late 2000s and early 2010s. This session will explore these critically important issues.
Series Moderator
Josh Lerner
The Jacob H. Schiff Professor, Harvard Business School; Director, Private Capital Research Institute
Panelists
Emily A. Carter
Princeton University
Patrick Lynch
Featherlight Capital
Ron Gonen, MBA
Closed Loop Partners
Reuben Munger
Vision Ridge
Sponsors
Series Sponsor
Presented By
Pricing
All: Free
About the Series
The “Private Capital and Discovery: Strategic Investing in Scientific Innovation” series is brought to you by The New York Academy of Sciences and The Private Capital Research Institute. Through expert panels and thought-provoking discussions, the series examines how private equity is uniquely positioned to drive transformative advancements—while also exploring the ethical and strategic dilemmas that can arise when financial incentives influence the trajectory of science. Learn more about the series.
Angus Fletcher, PhD, joins Nick Dirks in the latest episode of Shaping Science to discuss how the humanities inform the sciences, the role of neurons as action initiators, and why he thinks artificial general intelligence (AGI) is a hoax. With degrees from the University of Michigan and Yale University, he is currently a professor of story science at Ohio State University’s Project Narrative. Trained in both neuroscience and literature, Prof. Fletcher bridges the sciences and humanities to explore how stories shape the human mind, inspire innovation, and foster resilience. His latest book – Primal Intelligence: You Are Smarter Than You Know – argues that it’s our unique form of human intuition, imagination, and emotional intelligence that give humans an edge even in the age of AI.
This episode of Shaping Science was made possible with the generous support of Tata Sons.
Ulysses S. Grant is best known for leading the Union Army to victory during the American Civil War and serving as the nation’s 18th president, but his less-well-known grandson, who was an associate member of The New York Academy of Sciences, had his own impact on the country in the fields of civil engineering and architecture.
Published November 11, 2025
By Nick Fetty
A portrait photograph of MG Ulysses S. Grant III, taken in April 1945. Photograph taken from Grant’s Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain.
Ulysses S. Grant, III, was born in Chicago in 1881. He eventually moved to New York City and studied at Columbia University. Grant briefly served during the Spanish-American War, prior to being admitted to West Point Academy, his grandfather’s alma mater. At West Point he was classmates with Douglas McArthur. MacArthur, who became America’s top general during World War II, graduated first in the class of 1903, while Grant was sixth.
Army Corps of Engineers and World War I
Upon graduating from West Point, Grant briefly served with the Army Corps of Engineers in the Philippines, Cuba, and Mexico. There he received formal training and education in engineering. He also served as an aide to President Theodore Roosevelt. It was at the White House that he met his future wife, Edith Ruth Root, daughter of Eilhu Root who served as Secretary of War and Secretary of State in the McKinley and Roosevelt administrations.
During World War I, Grant served as secretary of the American section of the Supreme War Council in Paris. Along with U.S. General Tasker H. Bliss, he played a role in negotiating and writing the Treaty of Versailles, which ended the war. Grant was promoted to the rank of Colonel and received the Army Distinguished Service Medal in 1919.
A statement from the War Department lauded Grant for his specific contributions: “As Secretary of the American section, Supreme War Council, Colonel Grant was entrusted with the most important duty of coordinating the work of the Joint Secretariat of the Supreme War Council and of the Joint Secretariat of the Military Representatives of the Supreme War Council, and as a member of the War Prisoners’ commission, Berne, Switzerland, he has rendered conspicuous service to the Government.”
Civilian Service and World War II
Between WWI and WWII, Grant returned stateside spending time in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. During this time, he was promoted to the rank of Major. He worked as the executive officer of the Arlington Memorial Bridge Commission, a member of the National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, and eventually as the leader of the Office of Public Building and Public Parks in Washington, D.C. He continued to climb the military ranks, rising to Lt. Colonel and then Brigadier General.
When the U.S. entered World War II following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Grant was named Chief of the Protection Branch of the Office of Civil Defense, overseeing the civil defenses of the entire United States.
Grant formally retired from the Army in 1945 with the rank of Major General.
Later Years
Despite hanging up his military uniform, Grant wasn’t ready to stop working. He served as vice president of George Washington University in Washington D.C. from 1946 to 1951. Though relatively little is documented from his foray into higher education administration, the university hosted an exhibit in 2023 recognizing the Grant family’s contributions to the museum. The exhibit, titled Rethinking Legacy and Memory: Behind the Image of Ulysses S. Grant, focused on the elder Grant and his legacy outside of his militaristic and political leadership.
The younger Grant was also an associate member of The New York Academy of Sciences (the Academy), meaning that despite moving away from New York he chose to remain affiliated with the Academy.
In his final years, Grant took an interest in history preservation. He served on the Civil War Centennial Commission and authored a biography of his grandfather. Ulysses S. Grant, III, passed away in 1968 at the age of 87. The elder Grant, who passed away in 1885, did not live long enough to see his grandson pursue a career of service to his country much like he had done roughly half a century earlier.
The treatment of children in the legal system provides unique challenges. It is necessary to understand the developing brain and child–adult social dynamics as these psychological and social phenomenon can have a significant and long-lasting impact on not only children but also the adults who interact with them. This collection of papers includes topics aiming to understand the impact of childhood in various legal situations such as forensic questions, false memories, allegations, language comprehension, and sexual abuse. The novel experimental findings, timely reviews, and unique perspectives will provide important contributions to address this challenging issue of the legal system. The virtual issue is edited by Kelly McWilliams (John Jay College of Criminal Justice).
To attend, click the “Register” button at the time of the presentation. It will take you directly to the Zoom call.
Welcome and Introductions: 11:30 AM to 11:45 AM
Main Presentation: 11:45 AM to 2:30 PM
Lithium Processing: Challenges for Refining and Recycling
In the late twentieth century, lithium changed from a metal of limited economic importance to an essential component of the modern economy. The distribution of lithium resources on Earth and the technology for its recovery have implications for geopolitics, the economy, and the environment. Join us as we explore the connections between the properties of this unique metal, the challenges in its extraction and recycling, and its role in the modern world.
Speaker
Dr. Mark Kobrak received his BA degree in Chemistry and Integrated Science from Northwestern University, and his PhD in Chemistry from University of Chicago. He joined the faculty of Brooklyn College in 2001, serving as Chair from 2009-2011 and again from 2020-2023. His work centers on the physical chemistry of ionic liquids, a class of salts that are molten at room temperature. Recent efforts have included the development of novel metal extraction technologies. He has received multiple fellowships supporting research work at Brookhaven National Laboratory, and was a visiting researcher at University of Groningen in the Netherlands in 2017.
As a faculty member, Kobrak has pursued an eclectic collection of projects. Examples include establishing the department’s industrial internship program, co-authoring a science education article on the physics of solar sails, and serving as a scientific consultant on a film featuring Paracelsian alchemy. He has also revised the laboratory curricula of five different undergraduate courses and written a 480 page free textbook to help students transition from general to organic chemistry.
Joining leading experts at the forefront of cell biology, immunology, and autoimmunity research for a one-day event on April 30th, 2026, in New York City. The New York Academy of Sciences invites you to Autoimmunity Meets Innovation: Cell Therapies, where top researchers from academic institutions and industry professionals, as well as regulatory experts, will explore the scientific and implementation opportunities for advancing cell therapy approaches in autoimmunity. Autoimmune diseases affect a significant portion of the population, imposing substantial economic and societal burdens due to their chronic nature and profoundly impacting the quality of life for those affected.
Cutting-edge cell therapies, including CAR-T cells, CAR-Treg cells, CAR-NK cells, and CAR-MSC cells, have the potential to transform the landscape of autoimmune disease treatment. Early-stage clinical trials are already underway for a range of autoimmune conditions, such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and others.
This symposium will highlight progress in the development of disruptive scientific approaches and game-changing technologies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases in both pre-clinical and clinical contexts. Don’t miss the chance to engage in dialogue and collaboration with renowned experts who will pave the way for an ecosystem that supports future scientific breakthroughs in autoimmunity research and treatment.
How does your health relate to your genes? What can (and what can’t) commercial ancestry testing tell you? How does law enforcement use DNA in criminal investigations? Join Personal Genetics Education and Dialogue (PGED) for an interactive workshop about genetics advances and their applications, including how to foster conversations about these topics in classrooms and community spaces.
Participants will learn about how genetics can intersect with personal and societal interests, including the use of genetic information in health, ancestry testing, and law enforcement. They will participate throughout the workshop, including in an online game, and will be encouraged to ask questions and share their perspectives with other attendees. Although this interactive workshop is geared towards educators and scientists interested in public engagement, anyone interested in genetics is welcome to attend.
Please note that the workshop is limited to live attendance and will not be recorded.
Sponsor
Personal Genetics Education and Dialogue (PGED) is a public engagement with science program based in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School. For over eighteen years, they have raised awareness and inspired curiosity, reflection, and dialogue about genetics. They create resources and offer programs that explore the relevance and impact of genetics in people’s lives. By highlighting the “personal” in genetics, they strive to help people build knowledge and confidence to speak up, ask questions, and make informed decisions based on their needs and values.
Speaker
Rob O’Malley, PhD
Strategic Engagement Lead, Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue (PGED), Harvard Medical School
Rob is a biological anthropologist who shifted from a career studying wild chimpanzees to one focused on public engagement with science. Rob has expertise in evidence-based public engagement approaches, with a particular interest in how history, culture, and worldview (including faith and spirituality) inform peoples’ perspectives on genetics and related sciences. He helps to develop and facilitate workshops, co-creates and edits formal and informal education resources, and identifies and pursues grants and other funding opportunities to support PGED’s work. Rob is also the education committee co-chair for the American Association of Biological Anthropologists (AABA).
The New York Academy of Sciences is proud to present The New Wave of AI in Healthcare 2026.
Artificial intelligence and digital technologies are transforming healthcare at an unprecedented pace—reshaping how we diagnose, treat, and deliver care. From advanced machine learning applications to real-world evidence and patient-facing digital tools, innovation is accelerating rapidly, bringing both extraordinary promise and complex challenges for clinicians, researchers, and regulators.
To spotlight these breakthroughs, the Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and The New York Academy of Sciences will host a two-day, in-person symposium in New York City The New Wave of AI in Healthcare.
This premier event will convene leading scientists, clinicians, industry innovators, and policy experts at the intersection of computer science and medicine to share cutting-edge research, explore pressing ethical and regulatory considerations, and build collaborations that shape the future of healthcare. The symposium will not only showcase the latest scientific advances but also foster interdisciplinary dialogue and networking to ensure that AI-driven healthcare innovations are equitable, ethical, and impactful.
