​​Longevity Global is launching our new Chicago chapter with an inaugural 2026 conference. We welcome scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the science of longevity. Please join us in Cloud Gate Hub in 2 Prudential Plaza.

This event is hybrid and the virtual link will be shared closer to the start of the event.

​Schedule

​Morning Session

​8:00 AM — Doors Open — Networking

​9:00 AM — Longevity vs. Biotech Investing
Scott Samuel (Something Global), Joshua Rogers(Arete Wealth Management), Susan Abrams (Golden Seeds Chicago), Moderator: Joshua Barney

​10:00 AM — Frontiers in Aging Biology
Alice Gilman (R3 Bio), Dr. Sofie Wei, PhD (X-Therma), Ashley Zehnder, PhD (Fauna Bio) | Moderated by Joshua Barney

​11:00 AM — Longevity Startup Showcase
John Ramunas, PhD, Glen Markov, PhD(Rejuvenation Technologies), Dr. Louise Hecker, PhD, Ashley Zehnder, PhD (Fauna Bio) | Moderated by Barry Ng

​12:20 PM — Catered Lunch

​AFTERNOON SESSION

​1:30 PM — Afternoon Salon on Longevity and Networking


Featuring our speakers:

​Alice Gilman

​Alice Gilman is a CEO for a stealth experimental stem cell based startup aimed at transforming the medical industry and delay aging.

​Alice is a visionary in regenerative medicine, longevity science, and advanced biotechnology, building the platforms that will define the next century of healthcare. Leading efforts to develop stem cell–based and genetically engineered systems capable of repairing, replacing, and enhancing human biology.

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​Dr. Sofie Wei, PhD of X-Therma, Inc

​Dr. Sofie (Xiaoxi) Wei, PhD, is an award-winning entrepreneur, inventor, and biotechnology leader, best known as the Co-founder and CEO of X-Therma, Inc., a company pioneering breakthroughs in organ preservation and regenerative medicine. With deep expertise in biomimetic nanoscience and biopreservation, Dr. Wei is at the forefront of developing technologies that aim to make “on-demand” organs and living medicines a reality.

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​Dr. John Ramunas

​Dr. John Ramunas is a serial entrepreneur and neuroscientist dedicated to reversing human aging. He co-founded Rejuvenation Technologies to commercialize telomere extension technology he co-invented during his PhD in Neuroscience at Stanford University. His published research and patents span regenerative medicine, stem cells, RNA delivery, and microfluidics. Previously, he founded Pathways Development, a software company. His mission is to reverse aging—first to treat disease, and ultimately to restore youthful function to body and mind.

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​Dr. Louise Hecker, PhD

​Dr. Louise Hecker is a biomedical scientist and Associate Professor of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, specializing in aging, tissue repair, and regenerative biology. Her research focuses on how aging affects the body’s ability to heal—particularly in lung and fibrotic diseases—and how cellular stress, telomere shortening, and inflammation drive age-related decline.

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​Dr. Ashley Zehnder

​Dr. Ashley Zehnder is a biotechnology entrepreneur and leader in genomics-driven drug discovery. She is the Founder and CEO of Fauna Bio, a California-based biotech company focused on leveraging comparative genomics and artificial intelligence to uncover novel therapeutic targets for human disease.

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​Dr. Glenn Markov

​Dr. Glenn Markov is Co-founder and COO of Rejuvenation Technologies, a company developing therapeutics to increase healthspan by extending telomeres. He holds a PhD in Genetics from Stanford University School of Medicine, where he researched nuclear reprogramming to pluripotency and the conversion of human fibroblasts to embryonic stem cells. His postdoctoral work at Stanford further advanced his expertise in regenerative medicine, genomics, and bioinformatics. Earlier, as an undergraduate researcher at Arizona State University and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, he studied regeneration, evolutionary genomics, and cancer genetics. He earned dual BS degrees in Biology and Biochemistry from ASU, where he was named Outstanding Graduating Senior and received the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and an NSF Graduate Fellowship.

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​Scott Samuel

​Scott Samuel is an internet pioneer, serial entrepreneur, and investor. He founded Honesty.com — once ranked among the top 25 websites in the world — created eBay's auction listing tool, and built the Speakeasy chat system, one of the earliest social networking platforms. LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman has credited Samuel's work as directly influencing PayPal's growth strategy. Now based in Chicago, Samuel is Founding Partner of Something Global, a venture firm focused on responsible AI, and leads The Imagine Group. He brings decades of experience at the intersection of technology, community building, and early-stage investing to the longevity conversation — where AI, digital health, and patient empowerment are converging to reshape how we think about aging.

​Joshua Rogers

​Joshua D. Rogers is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Arete Wealth, Inc., a financial services holding company spanning 100+ offices and 320+ advisors nationwide. The firm specializes in comprehensive wealth management for high-net-worth individuals and institutions, with a focus on alternative investments, venture capital, and private equity. Earlier in his career, Joshua co-invented the "name your own price" e-commerce patents that created Priceline.com. He was elected to FINRA's National Adjudicatory Council, where he represented 3,600 small broker-dealers across the country. Joshua is an Elected Trustee of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and a member of the Economic Club of Chicago. He is based in Chicago.

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​Susan Abrams

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​Susan Abrams is Managing Director of Golden Seeds, the largest angel network in the United States investing in women-founded companies, where she co-leads the Chicago chapter. Previously, she served as CEO of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, where she pioneered interactive hologram technology featured on CBS's 60 Minutes and led a financial turnaround that included completing a $30 million capital campaign and earning the National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Earlier in her career, Susan held positions at McKinsey & Company and Goldman Sachs. She is the author of The New Success Rules for Women (Random House), a member of The Chicago Network, and currently teaches at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management. She holds an MBA from Kellogg and a BSE from the Wharton School and BA from the University of Pennsylvania, both summa cum laude.


Deepti Agarwal, MD

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Dr. Deepti Agarwal is a triple board-certified physician specializing in precision medicine, regenerative therapeutics, and integrative pain management. Based in Chicago, she brings nearly two decades of clinical experience across anesthesiology, interventional pain medicine, and longevity-focused care.

​Her work centers on optimizing healthspan through a personalized, data-driven approach that integrates genomics, biomarkers, hormone optimization, and metabolic health. After years of treating complex surgical and chronic pain patients, Dr. Agarwal developed a systems-level perspective on the root causes of disease—focusing on inflammation, hormonal transitions, and physiological resilience.