About: A flagship event marking the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America – a historic milestone in democracy, extraordinary scientific progress, and global innovation leadership. Covering the full pathway from science to scaling and strategic capability, the Forum will bring together senior policymakers, research leaders, scientists, innovators and industry representatives from Lithuania and the United States to deepen transatlantic cooperation, advance technological leadership and safeguard innovation. Learning from America’s pioneering spirit and focusing on shared strengths in biotechnology, laser technologies, space, and other areas, the event will foster bilateral cooperation and unlock opportunities for joint initiatives in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

8.30-9.00
Registration and welcome coffee

09.00-09.15
Opening remarks

Kęstutis Budrys
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania

Kara C. McDonald
United States Ambassador to Lithuania (TBC)

Ramūnas Skaudžius
Director at Center for Physical Sciences and Technology

09.15-09.30
State of Lithuania–U.S. Cooperation: Strengths and Opportunities
Presentation of LT-U.S. research & technology cooperation showcasing key joint initiatives and potential for the future
Monika Paulė, Head of Innovation Agency (TBC)

09.30-09.45
Keynote: From science to strategic capability
How can Lithuania and the U.S. turn scientific excellence into strategic advantage in a world shaped by geopolitical competition and rapid technological change?
Gregory Mann, NASA Europe Representative

09.45-10.00
Fireside Chat: Lessons from Building an Interdisciplinary Career at MIT
prof. Gediminas Urbonas, Professor at MIT Program in Art, Culture, and Technology

10.00-10.20
Coffee break

10.20-11.10
SESSION I: From Research Idea to Technology Development
How can research strengths translate into technologies that are tested, validated, and ready for use?
Adler Archer, Lab Director at Johns Hopkins University & Senior Advisor at the Executive Office of the President and the Department of Energy
Dominykas Milašius, CEO at Delta Biosciences
Reda Nausedaitė, Deputy Director at the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology
Artūras Medeišis, Associate Professor & Dean of the Faculty of Electronics at Vilnius Tech

11.10-11.25
Fireside Chat: Lessons from Building a Biotech Lab in Lithuania
Stephen Knox Jones Jr., Head of Biotech Research Group at Vilnius University Life Sciences Center

11.25-11.45
Coffee break

11.45-12.00
Keynote: Material Intelligence: AI, Creativity, and the Future of Scientific Discovery
What happens when humans and AI agents work side-by-side to drive scientific discovery and creative innovation? How is AI changing the way we discover, design and engineer new materials?
Markus Buehler, Jerry McAfee Professor of Engineering at MIT and member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE)

12.00-12.45
SESSION II: From Technology Development to Deployment and Scale
How can validated technologies be deployed, scaled and integrated into strategic capabilities across transatlantic markets and ecosystems?
Markus Buehler, Jerry McAfee Professor of Engineering at MIT and member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE)
Vladas Bumelis, Founder and CEO at Northway Biotech (TBC)
Andrew Jurkūnas, Financial Advisor at Maple Rock Wealth Management

12.45-13.00
Fireside Chat: Lessons from Crossing the Atlantic for Science
Ūla Jurkūnas, Co-director at Cornea Center of Excellence, Harvard Medical School

13.00-14.00
Networking lunch

Space for bilateral meetings and visits