An ECI Conference Series
February 1-5, 2026
Hilton Head, SC
USA
About This Conference
The ECI Advancing Manufacture of Cell and Gene Therapies conference is a biennial meeting that brings together leading figures from academia, industry, and government to showcase and debate the latest breakthroughs in advancing engineering and manufacturing of next-generation therapies. In February 2026, ECI will deliver yet another unique meeting with a specific focus on the latest advancements, trends, and disruptions from the past two years impacting both cell and gene therapies.
Our attendees and speakers include scientists and engineers in various sectors from all over the world working to improve manufacturing of advanced therapeutics. The sessions will cover advances, emerging concepts, and technologies related to gene editing, digitalization and automation (including artificial intelligence), manufacturing strategies, and much more.
We welcome, celebrate, and take pride in attracting a diverse audience that will lead to an enlightening and productive meeting. The conference delivers an appreciation of the field’s achievement, an acknowledgement of the hurdles, and a sense of direction for the future. Check back often as details on session titles, keynote speakers, and the overall program are updated regularly. We hope to see you there!
John Moscariello, Neuvogen
Corrine Hoesli, McGill University
Bruno Marques, Century Therapeutics
Conference Organization
Conference Chairs
John Moscariello, Neuvogen
Corrine Hoesli, McGill University
Bruno Marques, Century Therapeutics
Organizing Committee
Taby Ahsan, Vice President, City of Hope
Mats Akesson, Director, Novo Nordisk
Calvin Chan, Director, BMS
Liz Csaszar, Senior Director, Notch
Suzy Farid, Professor, UCL
Peter Fuhrken, Vice President, FCDI
Patricia Gomes-Alves, Lab Head, IBET
Jérôme Guicheux, Research Director, INSERM
Steve Howe, Vice President, Resolution
David Hsiung, Director, Prime Medicine
Shin Kawamata, CEO, Cyto Facto
Fernanda Masri, Chief Commercial & Innovation Officer, Cytomos
Fabien Moncaubeig, CTO, TreeFrog Therapeutics
Lavanya Peddada, Senior Director, Vittoria
Dhruv Sareen, Executive Director, Cedars-Sinai
Aaron Simmons, PD Scientist, Procella
Vanessa Strings-Ufombah, Executive Director, Assay Development, Adverum
Chris Wiwi, Head, Tech Ops, Dispatch
Abstract Information
Advancing Manufacture of Cell and Gene Therapies Award
September 15, 2025
PURPOSE
The Advancing Manufacture of Cell and Gene Therapies Award recognizes outstanding contributors to the development and commercialization of Cell-Based Therapies. Past recipients include Bob Nerem, Kim Warren, Peter Zandstra, Greg Rusotti and Paula Alves.
The award nominations will be judged according to criteria as set forth in this document.
AWARD
For each conference, an award of cash and a commemorative plaque will be presented to the recipient at the conference. The 2026 award is sponsored by NIIMBL and Engineering Conferences International (ECI).
ELIGIBILITY
This Award is open to all industrial and academic researchers and practitioners in the field of cell-based therapies. It is expected that the award recipient will register and attend the conference.
EVALUATION
Nomination packages will be evaluated by a committee of leaders in the field established by the conference chairs
CRITERIA
The nominations will be judged on the originality, impact, and overall quality of work; significance to the development and commercialization of cell-based therapies; and other supporting information in the nomination package.
NOMINATION PACKAGE (all documents should have 1-inch margins all around and use font no smaller than Arial 11 or Times 12 point). Self-nominations are welcome. The nomination package must consist of the following items:
- A nomination cover sheet;
- A nomination letter of no more than 3 pages including a description of the nominee’s contributions to the development and commercialization of Cell-Based Therapies; and
- A resume including publications, patents, and other contributions by the nominee.
Optional items:
A maximum of two supporting letters from individuals in the field may be provided.
The items in the nomination package should include the following information:
- Name of nominee
- Present position (exact title)
- Mailing address (including email)
- Education, including (a) Institution; (b) Degree received; (c) Major or field
- Positions held
- Companies or institutions
- Positions or titles
- Time periods
- Academic and/or professional honors and awards
- Technical and professional society memberships and offices held
- Supporting letters
- Nominator’s name, address (including email), signature and date
THE COMPLETE NOMINATION PACKAGE should be submitted in electronic form as a SINGLE PDF FILE WITH THE NAME OF THE NOMINEE, and should include the scanned, signed letters of support (if any).
Nomination packages are due by midnight EDT September 15, 2025 to:
Barbara Hickernell, ECI Executive Director, at barbara@engconfintl.org
Christopher Hewitt Outstanding Young Investigator Award
Deadline: September 15, 2025
Engineering Conferences International is pleased to announce that nominations for the Christopher Hewitt Outstanding Young Investigator Award are now open. The award recipient will be a promising young scientist whose work shows exceptional promise in the field of process development of cell based and gene based therapies. The award includes the opportunity to present their research at the conference as well as the waiver of the conference registration fee.
Chris was a leading biological engineer, distinguished for his research using flow cytometry and cell sorting to understand the interaction of the cell with the bioreactor environment within such diverse areas as microbial fermentation, bio-remediation, bio-transformation, brewing and cell culture. He was also the co-founder of the Centre for Biological Engineering at Loughborough University, where he developed a world-leading team in regenerative medicine bioprocessing. In particular, his team made a significant contribution to the literature on the culture and recovery of fully functional human mesenchymal stem cells in stirred bioreactors based on sound biochemical engineering and fluid dynamic considerations essential to scale-up for commercialization. In recognition of his achievements, he was elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2018.
Chris Hewett was an active contributor to the ECI conference series “Advancing Manufacturing for Cell based and Gene Based Therapies”.
Eligibility: Any graduate student or post-doc is eligible as is any researcher with fewer than 5 years of industrial or academic experience. Individuals who meet these criteria are invited to submit an abstract to be considered for presentation at the 2026 Advancing Manufacture of Cell and Gene Therapies Conference, curriculum vitae; and two supporting letters of recommendation.
Submission of Nominations: Nominations will be accepted from January 1, 2025 through September 15, 2025. The abstract should be submitted through the normal ECI procedure but a copy of it should accompany the curriculum vita and letters of recommendation.
Please email to barbara@engconfintl.org – subject line should read: Christopher Hewitt Award Nomination for (name of nominee)
Venue Information
Conference Venue: Westin Hilton Head Island, Two Grassland Avenue, Hilton Head Island, SC (Tel: 1-843-681-4000) Accommodations are included in the conference fee.
Hilton Head Island is part of the Lowcountry region in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is 40 miles north of Savannah and 90 miles of Charleston. The largest barrier island between the Bahamas and Long Island, this twelve-mile island is known for its Atlantic Ocean beaches and golf courses. It lies on the intracoastal waterway and encompasses 42 square miles that include unspoiled sea marshes, creeks, lagoons, heavily wooded forests of tall pines, palmettos, magnolias and giant oaks.
The Harbour Town Lighthouse and Museum marks the southwest tip of the island while the Coastal Discovery Museum features heritage buildings, trees and themed gardens. Between the island and mainland, the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge salt marsh hosts deer, alligators and birds
Weather for Hilton Head in early February is generally predicted to be highs in the mid-low 60s(F) and lows in the 40s(F).
Common area tours
Daufuskie Island Tour – Remote Daufuskie Island is accessible only by boat and remains largely undeveloped, despite its fame as the setting of Pat Conroy’s novel “The Water is Wide.” Attractions include the First African Baptist Church and Mary Fields School.
Dolphin and Nature Tour of Hilton Head – Cruising the salt-marsh ecosystem in search of dolphins is a popular activity in Hilton Head. Sail along the water from Shelter Cove Marina, down Broad Creek, and into Calibogue Sound, while keeping a lookout for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, birds, and other animals that call the area home.
Beaufort Gullah Heritage Tour – See the Gullah plantation house, cemetery, and church ruins, and visit the praise house, which still hosts meetings for families on the island. Learn about Gullah heritage and experience island life in the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Month of February: Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration
Annual month-long celebration of Gullah heritage and culture, with a variety of events across the island including musical and dance performances, food events, traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, storytelling and other spoken arts, and more. More details
Farmer’s Market at the Coastal Discovery Museum – Fresh & Lowcountry Local
Begin your Tuesdays at the Hilton Head Island Farmers Market, where you’ll meet our friendly farmers and vendors, who offer fresh produce, baked goods, drinks, specialty goods, artwork and crafts.
Coastal Discovery Museum
Visit the Coastal Discovery Museum for a fun-filled learning experience. Here, the whole family can discover and explore the wonders of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Take a leisurely stroll around the Museum’s majestic 68-acre property. Investigate the salt marsh on their boardwalks. Marvel at the beauty of the Spanish Moss dangling from Live Oaks. Take a step back in time to imagine life on Hilton Head years ago.
General Information about ECI
Engineering Conferences International (ECI) is a not-for-profit, global engineering conferences program, originally established in 1962 that provides opportunities for the exploration of problems and issues of concern to engineers and scientists from many disciplines.
The format of the conference provides morning and late afternoon or evening sessions in which major presentations are made. Poster sessions will be scheduled for evening discussion as well. Available time is included during the afternoons for ad hoc meetings, informal discussions, and/or recreation. This format is designed to enhance rapport among participants and promote dialogue on the development of the meeting. We believe the conferences have been instrumental in generating ideas and disseminating information to a greater extent than is possible through more conventional forums.
All participants are expected both to attend the entire conference and to contribute actively to the discussions. The recording/photographing of lectures and presentations is forbidden. As ECI conferences take place in an informal atmosphere, casual clothing is the usual attire.
Smoking is prohibited at ECI conferences and conference functions.