From the Bench: August Highlights

Thanks to our incredible community, ChiTownBio continues to grow! This month we received essential equipment from Brittany at Aqua Cultured Foods: a refrigerated centrifuge, shaking incubator, and plate reader. These tools bring us closer to launching our first from-pipetting-to-bacteria-transformation workshop.

We also welcomed new members running exciting independent research:

• BSL-1 strain characterization for yeast and other microorganisms

• A tissue culture plant shop & plant engineering startup incubating right here in the lab. Public workshops coming soon!

• A community member even donated various fungi to expand our capabilities.

To everyone who’s given time, expertise, gear, or encouragement—thank you.

Upcoming Events

• Beach Cleanup + Networking

  • 📅 Wed, Aug 13 | 6:30–8:30 PM

  • 📍 Oak Street Beach, 1000 N. Lake Shore Dr.

  • Join forces with Alliance for the Great Lakes, CHIentist, and Tech Walk Chicago for a unique biotech networking event. Small group conversations while making our lakefront cleaner.

  • Register here

• Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest 🎨

  • 📅 Fri–Sun, Aug 15–17, 2025

  • 📍 Glenwood Ave, Rogers Park

  • We’re excited to be part of the 24th Annual Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest—three days of live music, local art, food, and community right here in Rogers Park! Stop by our booth to learn about ChiTownBio, meet members of our team, and see how biotechnology is growing in Chicago.

  • Interested in volunteering or helping us table at the event? We’d love the extra hands!

  • 📧 Email andy@chitownbio.org to sign up.

    
    

• August Beach Cleanup!!

  • 📅 Sat, Aug 23 | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM

  • 📍 Pratt Blvd Beach & Park, 1050 W Pratt Blvd

  • Clean up plastic waste, collect data, and discuss what we find. This month we’re hosting students from Loyola’s Saturday of Service.

  • Register here

• Chicago’s Biotechnology Meetup

  • 📅 Tue, Sept 2 | 6:30–8:30 PM

  • 📍 Monday Blues, 6651 N Clark St

  • Celebrate the 2-year anniversary of the Biotech Fermenter and the 1-year anniversary of our lab lease. Join us for low-key networking with CHIentist & ChiTownBio, and stop by the lab across the street as well!

  • Register here

Past Event Recap

• Biotech Fermenter @ mHUB (Aug 5)
  Another great night of networking and idea sharing. Thanks to everyone who joined us at mHUB and kept the conversations flowing.

Get Involved

• Science Advisory Board – Call for Members
  Help guide member projects, review literature, support grant writing, and ensure safety in our BSL-1 space. Interested? Fill out the form here.

• Shelving & Storage Needed
  99% of our lab equipment was donated by the community—but we need shelving/cabinets to store it! Have something to give? Email us!

• Volunteer with Us 🙌
  From event planning to lab tasks—tell us how you’d like to help.
  Sign Up to Volunteer

• Join Our Discord 💬
  Stay connected, share ideas, and hear about events first.
  Join Here

Support ChiTownBio

Your contributions help us run workshops, provide research space, and keep membership accessible.

• $5/month Supporter: Small gifts make a big impact!

• $75/month Member: Full lab access to bring your biotech projects to life.

• Donate Gear/Supplies: Email us to arrange a drop-off!

Thank You for being part of our community!

We look forward to welcoming you as a new member, seeing you during our lab hours, and connecting with you at our events. If you have any questions or need further details, feel free to reply to this email.

Dr. Andy Scarpelli

President, ChiTownBio

Lab Hours

🆕 Updated Schedule – We’ve adjusted our open days:

Sat: 12–7 PM (busiest!)

Mon: 12–7 PM

Tue: 12–7 PM

(Potential Sunday hours depending on demand)

We’re no longer open on Wednesdays or Thursdays—so be sure to plan your visits around the new schedule.

ChiTownBio
6634 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL