Colby Community College biological sciences instructor and STEM Division Chair Dr. Jeffrey Sekavec attended the Harvard Medical School Senior Life Sciences Leadership Summit on Sept. 28-29 in Boston, joining an international group of professionals selected from previous cohorts of the school's executive leadership program.
Sekavec earned the invitation after completing Harvard Medical School's 32-week Senior Life Sciences Leaders Program in 2025, when he was among just 26 professionals worldwide selected for the cohort. Invitations to the summit were extended to graduates based on their performance in the program.
The two-day summit brought together leaders from universities, health care systems, pharmaceutical companies, research institutions and government agencies. Participants represented a range of international backgrounds, including senior professionals from the United States, Europe, Canada and the Middle East. The 32-week program curriculum included live sessions, independent coursework, and a capstone project addressing a challenge within each participant's organization.
"It was truly an honor to attend the Senior Life Sciences Leaders Summit with a unique group of exceptional experts in their respective fields and such impressive professional qualities, yet a true ability to work as equal members of high-performing teams for the betterment of others,” Sekavec said.
Summit presentations addressed emerging developments in life sciences and organizational leadership, including the use of artificial intelligence in scientific research, health care innovation, executive decision-making, and strategies to improve team performance. Sessions also explored leadership approaches that encourage collaboration, maximize employee potential and foster psychologically safe work environments.
Featured presenters included Andrew Beam, chief technology officer of Lila Sciences, whose work focuses on artificial intelligence in scientific discovery; Stanley Shaw, a cardiovascular medical leader at biopharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation Amgen; and Michaela Kerrissey, an associate professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health who specializes in organizational leadership and team performance.
At the conclusion of the event, Sekavec received a certificate presented by Margaret Andrews, co-faculty director of Harvard Medical School's Executive Program for Senior Life Sciences Leaders, and faculty member Kim Cremers.
He said his experience at the leaders summit parallels his daily role on the college campus.
“In many ways, the Senior Life Sciences Leaders Summit typified aspects exemplified right here at CCC, especially the idea of amalgamating people of disparate specialties and backgrounds with a singular aim of helping others through the elevation of their performance for the fulfillment of life goals and the associated positive impacts across society.”
Sekavec is a CCC alumnus. He began co-teaching at the college as an adjunct instructor in 2006 alongside the late Dr. Max Pickerill. He returned as a full-time faculty member in 2017 and currently teaches life sciences courses and chairs the STEM Division.
Since 2014, he has also worked as a consultant specializing in biosecurity preparedness and biological event management, providing training and operational support to select government entities.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Sekavec holds an associate degree in chemistry from CCC, a bachelor's degree from Bethany College, a Master of Science in microbiology from Fort Hays State University and a Doctor of Management in homeland security from Colorado Technical University.