2025 EMSL Summer School
July 7 - 11, 2025
From Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Agent-Based Science
July 7-11, 2025
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and online via Zoom
EMSL invests in artificial intelligence (AI)-based agents to complement our breadth of experimental capabilities, enhance data integration, and accelerate the coupling between modeling and experiment. This weeklong summer school will introduce the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), large language models (LLMs), and the use of LLMs to create semi-autonomous software agents. The course will also highlight how AI-based agents enable better utilization of emerging laboratory automation capabilities.
Morning presentations are available to the worldwide audience for free via Zoom.
July 7: Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning: How They Are Used in Biological Research and Their Opportunities and Challenges
8:30 a.m. | Welcome and Introduction
- Moses Obiri| Data Scientist | PNNL
- Jay Bardhan | Computing, Analytics, and Modeling Science Area Leader | EMSL
8:45 a.m. | Keynote: Unlocking Biological Insights with Artificial Intelligence
- Lisa Bramer | Data Scientist | PNNL
9:35 a.m. Foundations of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Biology
- Javier E. Flores | Statistician | PNNL
10:15 a.m. | Break
10:30 a.m. | Machine Learning Pipelines for Biological Applications
- Luke Durell | Data Scientist | PNNL
11:10 a.m. | Common Pitfalls and Best Practices in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Moses Obiri | Data Scientist | PNNL
July 8: Large Language Models: How They Are Created and Used for Scientific Research
8:30 a.m. | Welcome and Introduction
- Emily Saldanaha | Data Scientist | PNNL
8:45 a.m. | An Overview of Large Language Models and Artificial Intelligence
- Jessica Baweja | Applied Research Psychologist | PNNL
10 a.m. An Introduction to Retrieval-Augmented Generation Pipelines
- Sumit Purohit | Data Scientist | PNNL
11 a.m. | Break
11:15 a.m. | Keynote: CACTUS- The Chemistry Agent Connecting Tool Usage to Science
- Rohith Varikoti | Data Scientist | PNNL
July 9: Artificial Intelligence Agents: What They Are and How They Are Created
8:30 a.m. | Welcome and Introduction
- Abby Jerger | Data Scientist | PNNL
8:45 a.m. | Keynote: Artificial Intelligence Ethics and AI-Ready Data: Foundations for Trustworthy Agents
- Nancy Washton | Scientist | PNNL
9:35 a.m. | Protocol Analyzer: Assistant vs Agent
- James Carr | Data Engineer | EMSL
10:15 a.m. | Break
10:30 a.m. | Intro to Agents
- Nicolette Laird | Data Scientist | PNNL
11:10 a.m. | How to Leverage Agents Responsibly in Software Development
- Jesse Lane | Software Test Engineer | PNNL
July 10: Science Agents: What They Are and How They Can Be Used
8:30 a.m. | Welcome and Introduction
- Aivett Bilbao | Computational Scientist | EMSL
8:45 a.m. | Keynote: Artificial Intelligence and Agents in the Life Sciences: A View from Industry
- Ariella Sasson | Worldwide Solutions Architect leader for data and AI focusing on healthcare and life sciences
9:45 a.m. | Scientific Proposal Development with Large Language Models
- Natasha Arokium-Christian | Data Scientist | EMSL
10:15 a.m. | Break
10:30 a.m. | Exploring Agentic Artificial Intelligence for Biochemical Research
- August George | Postdoctoral Research Associate | EMSL
11 a.m. Adapting Multimodal and Reasoning Models for Science
- Gihan Panapitiya | Data Scientist | EMSL
11:30 a.m. | Deploying Artificial Intelligence Tools at Scale
- Makena Dettmann | Data Engineer | EMSL
July 11: Autonomous Experimentation and Laboratory Automation: Where We Are at and Where We Can Go
8:30 a.m. | Welcome and Introduction
- Kim DeSousa | Systems Engineer | EMSL
8:45 a.m. | Keynote: Learning Metabolic Models from a Blank Slate with Automated Experiments
- Paul Jensen | Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering | University of Michigan
9:40 a.m. | PNNL’s SmartLabs-optimizing and Augmenting Laboratory Capabilities
- Russ Burtner | User Experience Advisor | PNNL
- Tom Brunner | IT Engineer | PNNL
10:35 a.m. | Break
10:50 a.m. | Panel Discussion: Automation and Artificial Intelligence
- Kim DeSousa | Systems Engineer | PNNL
- Erin Bredeweg | Biologist | EMSL
- Micah Miller | Chemist | PNNL
- Bram Stone | Earth Scientist | PNNL