Community Connect #5 - From Code to Cure - A Biotech Networking Event

Join us for the fifth edition of Community Connect, Montgomery College’s signature biotech networking event hosted by the Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science + Technology (PIC MC).

From algorithms to breakthroughs, from data points to diagnoses—AI is powering a new era of possibility in life sciences and healthcare. At this edition of Community Connect, explore how artificial intelligence is transforming every stage of innovation, taking us from code to cure.

This unique event follows the arc of innovation—from the data and infrastructure that make AI possible, to the tools and platforms driving discovery, and finally to the real-world impact on patients, providers, and populations.

Whether you’re writing the code, analyzing the data, engineering the systems, or imagining the applications, you’ll find collaborators, insights, and inspiration in every corner.

Come for the connections, stay for the conversations, and leave with insight into the innovations.

LIVE DEMOS

• PMCDx will demonstrate how they integrate knowledge-based data with AI-enhanced workflows and multidisciplinary collaboration—bringing together geneticists, pharmacists, and physicians—to streamline testing, optimize treatment, and drive innovation beyond traditional diagnostics. Their demo will showcase how genomic strategies are enabling a shift from reactive to proactive, population-level healthcare—reshaping the future of diagnostics and care delivery.
• Netrias will showcase their AI-powered platform that automatically standardizes biological metadata—eliminating manual data wrangling. Watch as they transform raw tabular datasets from genomics, proteomics, or clinical assays into fully structured, labeled, and harmonized data aligned with chosen standards. This enables seamless integration for predictive modeling, accelerates discovery, streamlines manufacturing, and supports clinical translation.
• STEM Academy will present how students engage with STEM through hands-on robotics. Their demo follows the student learning journey—from using graphical coding to navigate robots through mazes, to applying tactile feedback and ultrasound sensors for dynamic interaction, and advancing to Python-based programming for complex problem-solving. These activities highlight how the program builds creativity, confidence, and real-world STEM skills.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

👋 This event is FREE and open to the public.

🚗 Ample parking is available.

☕️ Coffee and light refreshments will be served throughout the morning.

🎫 Advance registration is preferred but walk-ups are welcome.

Stay for the full program or drop in at your convenience. Networking will be ongoing!

TABLES

Companies, organizations, Montgomery College faculty/staff, and student groups are invited to host tables. Tables are paid, limited, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tabling includes day-of visibility as well as pre- and post-event promotion through Montgomery College and BioBuzz.

Bioscience Education Center

Montgomery College’s Germantown Campus is home to 6,000+ students and offers leading programs in biotechnology and cybersecurity. The BioScience Education Center features laboratories, classrooms, meeting spaces, and a conference center tailored for biotech education and research.

To learn more, visit montgomerycollege.edu.

HOLY CROSS GERMANTOWN HOSPITAL

Montgomery College is the only community college in the U.S. with a full-scale hospital on campus, providing unparalleled real-world learning opportunities.

To learn more, visit holycrosshealth.org or follow them on LinkedIn.

HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS

An EchoStar company delivering broadband and network services to millions globally.

To learn more, visit hughes.com.

GERMANTOWN INNOVATION CENTER

Montgomery County's incubator in partnership with Montgomery College featuring premier office and laboratory space for life science companies.

To learn more, visit montgomerycountymd.gov

BIOTRAIN

A workforce partnership shaping the region’s biotech talent pipeline.

To learn more, visit montgomerycollege.edu.

BIO-TRAC

Offers workshops for bench scientists on the latest lab techniques.

To learn more, visit biotrac.com.

FLEXNODE

A digital infrastructure company redefining data center solutions.

To learn more, visit flexnode.io.

DONATIONS

All ticket sale donations support the BioBuzz Student Ambassador Workforce Development Program, launching Fall 2025 at Montgomery College in partnership with BioBuzz and ScienceWerx, a nonprofit accelerating commercialization and community-driven innovation.