Caldwell, NJ, October 24, 2025 — Caldwell University and the New Jersey Academy of Science (NJAS) proudly co-sponsored an inspiring seminar, “From Molecules to Markets: Shaping the Future of Health, Fragrances, and AI Innovation.” The event drew over 160 registered participants including university students, high school learners, faculty, industry professionals, and community members — demonstrating the strong interest in New Jersey’s growing life sciences sector.

The evening opened with remarks from Caldwell University President Dr. Jeffrey Senese, followed by NJAS President Dr. Maria Agapito, who spotlighted the Academy’s 70+ years of dedication to STEM education, research, and workforce preparedness. Guests also learned about NJAS’s upcoming statewide opportunities, including the 2026 NJAS Annual Meeting, the Biotechnology Educator’s Program, Biotechnology Research Fellow Program Cohort 2, and the 2026 LIFE Colloquium.

Ahead of the panel, attendees viewed innovative student poster presentations from the Biotechnology Research Fellow Program (BRFP) Cohort 1 — inspiring conversations about research pathways, internships, and summer biotechnology experiences.

The dynamic panel, moderated by Dr. William Velhagen, included:

• Dr. Alex Wiltschko — Founder & CEO, OSMO
• Dr. Vibha Jawa, FAAPS — Chief Scientific Officer, EpiVax, Inc.
• Mr. Kyle Patel — Director, Medical Excellence & Digital Strategy, Johnson & Johnson
• Dr. Anjali Agrawal — Executive Director, Drug Product Development, Novo Nordisk

Panelists explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping discovery, diagnostics, and product design across healthcare and consumer science. Dr. Wiltschko fascinated the audience with insights into decoding neural signals tied to scent perception. Mr. Patel emphasized the global nature of digital innovation in oncology and medical excellence.

Students engaged deeply — probing ethics in AI, diversity in STEM leadership, and real-world career entry points. The energy continued after the session, with many taking advantage of networking and mentorship opportunities.

Student participant Bibhuti Shah shared, “Each panelist brought a unique perspective. The audience was very engaged, and everyone appreciated the chance to connect with them individually. It was a successful and inspiring event for students.”

Closing remarks were delivered by Dr. George Abaunza, Vice President for Academic Affairs, who celebrated the collaboration between Caldwell’s School of Arts and Sciences, Admissions, ACS and SACNAS student chapters, and the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development’s Business Engagement & Sector Strategies Division.

With over 160 registered attendees, the event successfully strengthened statewide partnerships and inspired future innovators who will advance breakthroughs from molecule to market.