Keynote Speakers

Friday, June 9, at 11 a.m.

Dean Hosgood ’98

Environmental Exposures And Health Outcomes Among Historically Marginalized Communities

Dr. Hosgood’s research focuses on identifying associations between environmental exposures and adverse health outcomes, emphasizing cancer and gene-environment interactions. He utilizes advanced population-based and clinical-based methods that integrate observational study designs, cuttingedge exposure assessments, and biomarkers of susceptibility (i.e., genetic data) to explain the complex mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis—the formulation of a tumor. Dr. Hosgood’s session will focus on his work in this area and its impact on historically marginalized communities. Dean is an associate professor and the Atran Foundation chair in epidemiology and population health at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, NY.

Friday, June 9, at 3 p.m.

Gabrielle Joffie Richards ’03

LOVE YOUR BODY

Gabrielle Joffie Richards ’03 is brand director for Shapermint, a size-inclusive SupportiveWear brand, and The BodCon—the number one body confidence community in the world. As a licensed body positive coach, she has worked significantly with brands that help empower men and women feel confident within their skin. While in college, Gabrielle noticed a lack of emphasis on body positivity within the fashion industry. This helped pique her interest in owning her narrative and developing an education within the body positive and acceptance space. Gabrielle will present her work and experience in these fields.

Read more about these speakers at mercersburg.edu/reunionweekend.

Saturday, June 10, at 10 a.m.

Chuck Gray ’78

My Career With Nasa And The Orion Launch Abort System

Recently retired NASA aerospace and pyrotechnic engineer Chuck Gray ’78 worked on the Orion Launch Abort System (LAS), which was part of the November 16, 2022, Artemis 1 unmanned test flight that traveled for 25 days and more than 1.4 million miles around the moon. It splashed safely down on Earth, December 11, 2022. The LAS is designed to protect astronauts if a problem arises during launch by pulling the spacecraft away from a falling rocket. Weighing approximately 16,000 pounds, it can activate within milliseconds. With a motor that generates enough thrust to lift 26 elephants off the ground, it can pull the vehicle to safety and position the module for a safe landing. With the success of this test flight, NASA is now planning for future missions with sustained human presence on the moon and eventual human missions to Mars.

Saturday, June 10, at 1:30 p.m.

Paul Stamets ’73

How Psilocybin Mushrooms Can Help Save The World

The recent upsurge in interest in psilocybin mushrooms by the scientific community is attributable to their extensive use throughout history, widespread use today, and increasing number of clinical studies validating psilocybin as a breakthrough medicine. Come learn about the historical use of mushrooms and psilocybin’s potential for neurological health based on recent results on molecular modes of action.

As co-founder and majority shareholder of MycoMedica Life Sciences, PBC, Paul is well positioned with his team to conduct clinical studies based in part on the four U.S. composition patents he recently received on psilocybin discoveries.