Editor’s note: Joan Siefert Rose is CEO of LaunchBio.

DURHAM – I’ve been researching “summer science tips” and have discovered a few fun facts. Science News shares that drinking lake water may provide a very small chance that “killer amoebas could make their way up your nose and into your  brain.” The same article mentions that peeing in a chlorine-treated swimming pool can produce a chemical reaction similar to tear gas. It’s enough to keep you out of the great outdoors!

Fortunately, LaunchBio provides a safe indoor, and usually air-conditioned, alternative for science fans this summer. I hope you’ll join us at one of the following programs:

Mixing it Up in Durham

We’re getting together with 14 other organizations spanning life science, tech, independent workers and marketing expertise – because, why not? – to host the first annual “Mega Mixer” at our July 11 Larger Than Life Science program at the Chesterfield in downtown Durham. The emphasis will be on meeting new people and finding out what you have in common. Our featured panel discussion dives into how companies of all sizes can win the war for talent, and you can sign up here.

Building Blocks

Talent is also top of mind for the July 17 program hosted in partnership with LabCentral in Cambridge, as we feature several recent graduates of the co-working space who are taking their life science companies from largely virtual to brick and mortar. The program will include information on what those key hires may cost, where to find them, and how to provide the right incentives to retain them. Join us for this topical and timely conversation.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Nothing says summer like baseball, and four premier tickets to an upcoming Padres game are on the line for “The Big Pitch”, LaunchBio’s signature startup competition in San Diego July 25. Judges representing Takeda Ventures, Tech Coast Angels, Connect with San Diego Venture Group and IndieBio will call hits and strikeouts for selected startups trying to score in front of the crowd.  We’ll even buy you some peanuts and Cracker Jack, so step up to the plate and cheer on the contestants.

The City by the Bay

We’re immensely grateful to MBC BioLabs for partnering with us for our first LaunchBio program in San Francisco. Check out pictures from our June session on “Critical Cash”.

Next up – protecting your data and safeguarding your research. Details on the July 24 program are coming soon.

And on the horizon: our next Invest in Cures forums featuring nonprofit disease foundations and how they are sparking innovation.

(C) LaunchBio