The SMDP Training Session begins with informal evening dinner bringing together the 2026 SMDP Biotech Scholars and their mentors. Joined by SMDP alumni and members of the SMDP Alumni Steering Committee, this gathering offers an opportunity to connect in an informal setting, build new relationships, and welcome the incoming cohort into the broader SMDP community. It is an ideal occasion for scholars to engage with peers and experienced alumni ahead of the formal training session and to begin establishing the professional networks that are central to the SMDP experience.