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

       Ramūnas Skaudžius
       Director at Center for Physical Sciences and Technology

09.15-09.30
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

09.30-10.25

Session I: From Research Idea to Technology Development
How can research strengths translate into technologies that are tested, validated, and ready for use?

      Angelos Angelou
      Angel Investor, Founder and CEO of International Accelerator

      Adler Archer
      Lab Director at Johns Hopkins University

       Dominykas Milašius
       CEO at Delta Biosciences

       Reda Nausėdaitė
       Deputy Director at the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology

       Artūras Medeišis
       Associate Professor & Dean of the Faculty of Electronics at Vilnius Tech

Moderated by: Aurelija Povilaikė, Head of International Cooperation Unit, Research Council of Lithuania

10.25-10.45
Coffee break

10.45-11.00

State of Lithuania–U.S. Cooperation: Strengths and Opportunities
Where do Lithuania and the U.S. have the greatest opportunities to deepen cooperation in science and technology?

       Monika Paulė
       Head of Innovation Agency

11.00-11.15
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

Moderated by: Eglė Lastauskienė, Professor at Vilnius University Life Sciences Center

11.15-11.30
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)

11.30-11.45
Coffee break

11.45-12.45
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

       Nikolajus Gavrilinas
       CEO at LITILIT

       Andrew Jurkūnas
       Financial Advisor at Maple Rock Wealth Management

Moderated by: Lina Viltrakienė, Ambassador-at-Large for Digital and Tech Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania

12.45-13.00
Fireside Chat: Lessons from Building an Interdisciplinary Career at MIT 

       Gediminas Urbonas
       Professor at MIT Program in Art, Culture, and Technology

Moderated by: Vytautas Jankauskas, Science and Innovation Advisor ar the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

13.00-14.00
Networking lunch

Space for bilateral meetings and visits