MSL Symposium
The 6th Annual MSL Symposium: At the Intersection
Monday, May 6 and Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Each year, the Master of Science in Law (MSL) program hosts a symposium to showcase the work of its students and to highlight the importance of cross-disciplinary awareness. Check out our recap of presentations, old and new, to learn how the MSL is driving thought-leadership and professional development at the intersection of business, law, and technology.
Register for the symposium here; in-person and online attendance available
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
MONDAY, MAY 65:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Welcome
5:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Introductory remarks from Hari Osofsky, Dean and Myra and James Bradwell Professor of Law at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and Professor of Environmental Policy and Culture.
5:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Stephanie Fine
User Beware: Balancing the Lure of Wearable Health Apps in a Time of Regulatory Gaps and Data Vulnerability
Ninety-three percent of U.S. adults own smartphones and download 255 billion apps per year, which will catapult the wearable health app industry to a projected $67 billion by 2028. This technology holds our most personal information, yet data breaches in healthcare occur more than in any other industry, and there is a paucity of regulatory-legal framework for app-collected personal information, further increasing data vulnerability. What could possibly go wrong?
5:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Alime Dzaferi
Patent Landscape Analysis Using Natural Language Processing
This presentation explores a transformative new approach to patent analysis that leverages natural language processing to deliver invaluable technological insights, revolutionizing stakeholder navigation of the patent landscape in the critical areas of prior art analysis and interpretation. To explain the stakes, this presentation starts with an overview of the fundamentals of intellectual property and the challenges of patent analysis.
6:00 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Victoria Forte
Leveraging IP to Drive Deal Value in Capital Market and M&A Transactions
This presentation offers an exploration of the evolving landscape of corporate assets, highlighting the increasing dominance of intangible assets, particularly intellectual property (IP), in company valuations. It emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift in deal valuation methodologies, urging stakeholders to recognize and leverage the value of IP assets strategically to enhance deal value and access capital markets effectively, while also advocating for comprehensive IP valuation at the forefront of transactions to ensure optimal monetization and alignment of deal prices.
6:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Shaun Kenney
From Pig Butchering to Bank Butchering: A Case Study in Bank Failures
In 2023, a small community bank in Kansas had to close its doors (ultimately failing) as a result of a pig-butchering scheme where the bank CEO embezzled funds only to get defrauded himself. The bank failure was not due to chance or coincidence but rather the result of an absolute failure in the bank's governance and risk management functions – both within the compliance and technology functions.
6:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Subbu Kuchibhotla (Online)
An Overview of Generative Artificial Intelligence (G-AI) and Its Use in the Practice of Law
This presentation, based on an MSL independent study, provides a quick overview of G-AI and the ecosystem of startups and others employing G-AI to innovate in the legal industry. It concludes with an analysis of how to broaden access to justice and how to simplify legal practice by further embracing technology at the expense of the billable hour.
TUESDAY, MAY 7
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Coffee Hour
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Emily Guerrero, Nayab Khan, Tahsin Thaver, and Annie Chen
NeuroMuse
NeuroMuse is a medical device that aims to decrease depression and anxiety symptoms in patients with dementia. Developed in the MSL’s Entrepreneurship Lab course, this product focuses on music therapy as an alternative method to improve quality of life, an idea based on research evidence indicating the efficacy of this type of therapy.
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Anjali Patel
From Idea to Product: Creation of a Medical Device
Medical devices are present in almost every healthcare environment, but how did they get there? This symposium presentation covers how a medical device is defined according to the FDA and the requirements a device must fulfill to get approved and to successfully and safety launch in the market.
10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Ekene Obwubiko
Organ Donation Policies in the U.S.
This presentation examines the effects of different organ donation policies in the United States, and how those policies affect organ availability and the choice to donate. The policies focused on involve funding, public education, consent procedures, and accessibility. The presentation will conclude with policy recommendations focused on hybrid models and public education campaigns, with the goal of improving organ availability and equity in the transplantation system.
10:45 a.m. –11:00 a.m.
Break
11:00 a.m. –11:15 a.m.
Sonali Bhakta
Navigating Privacy Regulations in Education: Challenges and Best Practices for Compliance
This presentation examines the impact of privacy laws on educational institutions, focusing on compliance challenges and best practices for safeguarding student privacy and educational data. It provides insights into specific challenges, such as data collection practices and consent management, along with practical strategies for compliance, including robust data governance frameworks and enhanced security measures.
11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Kristin Weivoda
Blinding Justice: A California Perspective
The California Racial Justice Act was written to address systemic racial bias present within our criminal justice system. This presentation explores the Act, discussing its essential provisions, challenges to its implementation, and the potential for the Act to advance racial equity and fairness. It will also explore what we, as MSL students, can do to utilize our talents to further efforts to reform our criminal justice system.
11:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Kara Ferracuti
Regulatory Capture
This presentation discusses the issue of regulatory capture – when a regulator is “captured” by the industry it is supposed to control – in two cases: first, the case of Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration, and second, a case uncovered by the House Oversight Committee regarding the Securities and Exchange Commission. We conclude with a discussion of themes related to regulatory policy.
11:45 a.m. –12:00 p.m.
Jamie Averch
Empowering Change: The Creation of a Women in Sports Law Advocacy Firm
This presentation explores the creation of a Women in Sports Law Advocacy Firm (WSLAF), whose aim would be to provide comprehensive legal support, unwavering representation, and advocacy services for female athletes, sports organizations, and all relevant stakeholders. Ultimately, the aspiration is to address gender disparities, empower women in their respective fields, promote fairness and equality, and trigger a transformative paradigm shift in an industry that remains predominantly controlled by men.
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch and Prospective Student Welcome
1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Tony Hu
Misrepresentation in TikTok Commercial Videos
When a TikTok influencer cooperates with a brand and creates a video that compares competing products, there is often content involving deceptive marketing or commercial disparagement in the video. The TikTok platform has issued rules that explicitly prohibit those comparison videos and advertisements with certain absolute words. What are some relevant regulations and potential issues?
1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Jincheng Song
Empowering MSLs: Introducing NLDS
This presentation focuses on the creation of the Northwestern Law and Data Society, the premier AI-focused student organization at Northwestern Law School. Explore our mission to facilitate discussions on AI-related topics, including regulation, innovation, ethics, and the practical applications of data in legal fields and entrepreneurship.
1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Andrew Tylka
Ag Sustainability in the Era of AI
This presentation offers an analysis of the importance of modern agricultural sustainability within the context of emergent technologies. It reports on the findings of an independent study covering technological, regulatory, and intellectual property concerns at the intersection of AI and agriculture.
1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Mason Liang
Exploring the Legal Challenges and Progresses of Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing in the U.S.
Based on my experience as a business owner, I will evaluate the legal challenges of the fast-growing peer-to-peer car sharing industry. This presentation looks at relevant legislation in New York and Illinois exploring issues of liability, insurance, and taxation.
2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Break
2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cameron Brown
Rights for Nature? Lessons from the Crossroads of the Americas
What happens to the land if nature is given legal rights? Panama might have some answers. By analyzing the development and implementation of a right to nature in Panama, this presentation will illuminate how the creation of a constitutional right to nature enhances the contributions of indigenous communities to environmental law. The presentation concludes with an exploration of how Panama’s experience may serve as a blueprint for a similar effort in the United States.
2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Meike Jiang
Challenges in Enhancing Support for Chronic Disease Patients: Assessing the Limitations of Healthcare Reforms in China
In 2023, China introduced its most extensive healthcare insurance reform since merging urban and rural resident insurances. This reform altered the distribution of employer insurance fees for the urban employee medical insurance. This presentation will evaluate whether the effectiveness of this reform.
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Raj Patel
Exploring the Geo-Political Situation in Bosnia & Herzegovina
This presentation will explore the geo-political situation in Bosnia & Herzegovina, including the nation's current political tensions. To do this, the presentation will delve into the history of Bosnia & Herzegovina and show how the country reached the political predicament it currently finds itself in. After outlining the situation, I will discuss my experience of travelling to Bosnia & Herzegovina as part of Northwestern Law’s International Team Project and tie that experience to the political situation the presentation explores.
3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Break
3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Minnoli Aya
Health Economics: Understanding the Landscape for Fertility Treatments
This presentation focuses on the landscape of insurance coverage for infertility treatment, an issue that many US states are facing as they begin to battle dwindling populations and birth rates and an increase in infertility rates. This presentation explores the role insurance coverage plays in determining access to infertility treatments and focuses on how two states have sought to increase access to fertility interventions.
3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Suman Atluri, Alime Dzaferi and Shavan Patel
Ready to Room: Empowering Emergency Efficiency
“Ready to Room” is an early-stage startup born out of the MSL’s Entrepreneurship Lab course. Through the use of patient tracking technology in emergency departments, this product will decrease wait times, mitigate potential charting errors, and improve the overall patient and provider experience.
3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sravya Prabhala
Beyond Traditional Regulatory Frameworks: AI-enabled Medical Device Regulation by the FDA
With the surge in AI-powered medical devices in the US, it is essential to take a critical look at the existing regulatory frameworks. This presentation dives into the limitations of traditional FDA regulatory framework for these AI-driven tools and further explores the agency’s current efforts to develop a more robust regulatory landscape to ensure the safe and effective integration of AI into the future of US MedTech.
4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Break
4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Charles Frank, Featured MSL Alumni Presentation
MSL in Practice: Caelum Diagnostic Solutions, Inc., a Startup Seeking to Revolutionize Cancer Diagnosis
MSL Alumni Charles Frank, MD, brings us a presentation on Caelum Diagnostic Solutions, a medical company developing a revolutionary bedside diagnostic pathology device that immediately determines if a surgical specimen is cancerous. The presentation will cover corporate formation, patents, copyrights, logos, corporate governance, product development, and AI. Dr. Frank will be joined by CEO Rachel Wellner, MD and COO Scott Kratzer, MBA.
4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Alumni Welcome
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Closing Reception
Sponsored by MSL Alumni Board
The 5th Annual MSL Symposium
Monday, May 8 and Tuesday, May 9, 2023
The below videos showcase the pinacle of our 2022-2023 school year: two days of presentations, discussion, and collaboration among the MSL community. We invite you to view the presentations below and hope they will inspire you to further investigate how this cross-disciplinary program can positively impact your career.Keynote Speaker, Wendy L. Rubas
Seize the Moment: Navigating the Convergence of Law, Technology, and Analytics
Wendy L. Rubas is a lawyer and legal technology enthusiast. She has served as General Counsel of healthcare organizations, including most recently for VillageMD, where she led the legal department along with the compliance and risk management departments and implemented enterprise risk management programs. Ms. Rubas has a particular interest in helping legal, compliance, and risk management professionals use technology to streamline operations and develop proactive approaches to prevent risk. Prior to working as in-house counsel, she practiced at McDermott, Will, and Emory. She received her J.D. magna cum laude from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Nikhil Kapoor, The Legal and Regulatory Challenges the Fashion Industry Faces
The fashion industry is a rapidly growing and ever-changing industry, which poses numerous challenges for emerging designers to establish themselves in the industry. One of the main issues is the lack of regulation and intellectual property protection, making it difficult for designers to protect their unique works from being copied by anyone, let alone larger companies that have the resources to overshadow small designers. This presentation will introduce the legal and regulatory challenges future designers face in the fashion industry and why policy changes are necessary to level the playing field and promote ethical and sustainable practices.
Gabby Parma, What’s in Your Food? Regulatory Policy and Food Labeling
This presentation discusses the two main regulatory bodies responsible for the oversight of food product labeling in the United States and their current complications. It demonstrates how the MSL, specifically the Food Policy and Regulation and the Regulatory Policy classes, can help develop the skills needed to understand regulatory processes and create a problem-solving mindset.
Madi Tyrcha, Regulation of Convolutional Neural Networks in Medical Imaging
The use of artificial intelligence in medical imaging has the potential to assist with and improve image detection, recognition, and classification in a diagnostic sense. However, to establish a high level of accuracy across all patient types, we need to ensure that we are regulating the safety and ethics of the development of these technologies. Here we will explore problems and potential solutions in this implementation.
Nicole Breitbach, Forced Electrification: The Necessity of Energy Choice for a Sustainable World
Global warming is the biggest crisis we face today and there are a lot of proposed solutions for how to fix it. Removing consumer choice and forcing electrification in homes and businesses is a popular movement in many local jurisdictions. Given the current energy generation and aging grid infrastructure in the US, this may cause more issues than it resolves both economically and environmentally. This presentation will explore the importance of a balanced approach to the energy transition.
Andrea Reyes, Innovative Compliance: Lessons from The Office
This presentation highlights the importance of having a compliance officer and the lessons that can be learned from the popular TV show "The Office." The show provides examples of both success and failure in regulated industries. By examining these examples, companies can learn how to cultivate a culture of compliance, leverage technology, and utilize innovative practices to stay ahead of regulatory changes, mitigate risks, and drive innovation.
Heather McConnell-Smith, Unexpected Lessons: Learning to Drive Organization Change
This presentation details the key differences in a chemical engineering education and the MSL program. It highlights the value of an MSL for learning crucial skills. The presentation concludes with the story of the successful application of those unexpected lessons to implement API RP 1173, Pipeline Safety Management Systems at a Utility Company.
Kara Ferracuti, An MSL Perspective on Insider Trading in Clinical Trials
This presentation looks at the issue of insider trading in the clinical trial context, from the perspective of a clinical trials professional who has studied Securities Regulation in the MSL program. Combining industry knowledge with legal coursework sheds new insights into this area of academic inquiry and accentuates the importance of bringing the conclusions of this analysis into the real world.
Wesley Myung, Building a Path to Professional Growth Through the Power of Project Management
This presentation provides an introduction to the concept of project management and aims to empower individuals by showcasing the valuable skills they already possess. It covers the basic principles and techniques of project management. By emphasizing the importance of recognizing and leveraging one's existing skills, the presentation encourages individuals to realize their full potential and take control of their career trajectory. By the end of the presentation, attendees will have a solid understanding of what project management is and how project management can be a powerful tool for to achieve personal and professional growth.
Marissa Rosemblat, Evaluating Regulatory Proposals to Address SNAP/EBT Fraud
The United States spent nearly $120B last year administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), one of the largest and most important government benefit programs in the country. Recently, there has been an increase in theft of these funds, leaving many American families without a way to put food on the table. Inspired by the Food Law and Policy Course, this presentation examines some of the legal and regulatory challenges associated with administering SNAP and preventing EBT fraud.
Malcolm Xavier, The Revolution Will Not Be Live Streamed: Privacy Law in the Social Media Era
This presentation examines the role of social media in advancing us toward a surveillance state. It seeks to provide recommendations for individuals, product leaders, corporations, and governments to restore and / or maintain privacy rights.
Gini Yost, Combating Synthetic Identity Fraud
This presentation discusses the current issues and risks of synthetic identity fraud. It highlights how an understanding of the intersection of law, business, and technology can help individuals and organizations better protect themselves from being victims of synthetic identity fraud. The coursework in the MSL, specifically related to data privacy and newly implemented legislation guided this analysis of the current state and steps for eradicating synthetic identity fraud in the future.
Matthew Wilson, Product Liability for Product Design Engineers
Product liability law can be applied to product design engineering to mitigate both legal and actual risks. Despite being the first line of defense, product design engineers have a limited knowledge of product liability law. The focus will be on design engineering of physical consumer goods.
Derek Sokolowski, The Effects of New Technologies on Junk Forensic Science & Flawed Expert Testimony in the American Courts System
Countless cases of wrongful convictions have come up in recent years as the technology of Forensic Science has been refined and researched over time. However, innocent people continue to sit in prison awaiting their appeal. Expert testimony and junk forensic science solidified speedy convictions and the appeals took years to correct. After new technologies were developed, these new tools were used to exonerate these wrongfully convicted individuals. This presentation will show how these new technologies have been elevated above previous junk science and how they have curtailed flawed expert testimony within the criminal justice system of America.
Adeline Ptacek, The Troublesome Intersection of Healthcare and Prison Systems: The Mistreatment and Abuse of Prisoners in Need of Medical Attention in the Hands of Law Enforcement
This paper examines the intersection of prison systems and healthcare systems at the moment a prisoner needs medical attention. It will discuss the relationship between health care employees and prison officers, areas where police officers are most commonly involved with prisoners’ health care, and the various issues including legal, ethical, and systemic, that arise from this intersection.
Joey Caretta, Mya Clarke, Adam Steslicki, Administat: From MSL to MedTech
This presentation describes the problems inherent in medication administration practices in long-term care facilities and details our solution. It highlights how our MSL classes have prepared us to identify this issue, conceive of a viable MedTech solution, and take the preliminary steps in getting IP protection and starting a business.
Isaac Meng and Michael Thate, The Formula for Differential Ethics: A Framework to Understand How Different Conclusions are Reached
In an era of ever-growing divisiveness and polarization, how do we begin to try to bridge gaps between individuals' thoughts? Instead of fumbling around through the unknown until stumbling upon items that we think lead to separate conclusions, we posit a formula that can be used to do so in a structured, logical manner. This presentation aims to showcase and explain the way we arrive to ethical conclusions and how that can be leveraged for richer discussions with those that have viewpoints differing from your own.
Mya Clarke and Adeline Ptacek, How Do We Define the Human Race?
This presentation discusses how “humans” are defined and who should be part of the human race using various definitions. When all possible definitions are considered, we are faced with the reality that we cannot define a human. This presentation uses ethical and legal concepts discussed throughout the MSL program (specifically Ethics and Law in STEM) to raise the question: “Is there a human race?” To conclude, we will tie this question to discussions surrounding emerging scientific/technological concepts such as Artificial Intelligence.
Matthew Estacio, Survey Benefits in Caring for Orphans and Vulnerable Children: Lessons from Pamoja CBO
The spring 2023 Health and Human Rights course supported public health implementation projects in partnership with community-based organizations (CBO) in Kenya and Mauritania. This presentation will review an in-person needs assessment site visit to Kisumu, Kenya and unpack the findings of the Orphans of Vulnerable Childrenproject work with Pamoja CBO.
Andrea Reyes and Isaac Meng, Learning from What Works: The United States' Path to Better Health Illuminated by Costa Rica
This presentation proposes improving primary healthcare in the United States by adopting successful Costa Rican healthcare system aspects. We will discuss how implementing community-based health centers, phone-based care services, and coordinated healthcare teams at a state level can potentially improve access to care and patient healthcare outcomes.
Kevin Ingram and Celestine Obinna, Addressing Health and Human Rights Issues in Mauritania: The Access to Health Project in Partnership with the Sahel Foundation
This presentation describes health and human rights issues in Mauritania, particularly malnutrition and the lack of access to healthcare for the Haratine population. It demonstrates how the coursework in the MSL, specifically through the Health and Human Rights course, provided an opportunity through Northwestern's Access to Health Project to partner with the Sahel Foundation and develop recommendations for addressing these issues while navigating through a sensitive political and legal environment.
The 4th Annual MSL Symposium
The 2022 symposium, held May 10-11, 2022, featured a keynote address by Nancy Paridy, President & Chief Administrative Officer, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and presentations by 20 MSL students that displayed their work and ideas on a variety of topics, ranging from artificial intelligence to medical device entrepreneurship.
2022 MSL Symposium Student Presentations:
Applying MSL Courses in the Operations of a Biotech Incubator, Derek Sokolowski (MSL '23)
How can the classes you take in the MSL program influence your life right now in the workplace? Take a look at how MSL course work is applied in a biotech incubator setting –including Contract Law, Business Torts, and much more.
Automating Data Use Agreements in Healthcare Research, Taha Muhammad-Ali (MSL '22) and Emily Marun (MSL '22)
The tABLEtransfer is an algorithmic product generated by a team of students through the Innovation Lab course, in collaboration with the Institute for Augmented Intelligence in Medicine. It was designed with the capability of properly categorizing healthcare data that is requested of Northwestern University by a third-party researcher, identifying additional legal protections, and drafting a Data Use Agreement to expedite the process associated with sharing healthcare data across institutions.
Commercializing a New 3D Vision Technology, Xi He (MSL '22)
The goal of this project, which was part of a Kellogg Business School class, was to create a plan for commercializing a new 3D vision technology. This presentation shares our team’s journey and details our business model and strategy in putting forth a low-cost, efficient, and accurate technology that improves automation and performance in various industries, such as agriculture, robotics, drones, autonomous vehicles, and others.
Death by Zip Code: The Newborn Screening Crisis in the United States, Monica Weldon (MSL '22)
For over 50 years, the United States has had a Newborn Screening Program that aims to improve the quality of life for infants; there are now 61 selected disorders that are screened for. The question is: Are all the infants in the U.S. tested for these treatable diseases? The surprising answer is NO! This presentation explores the coined expression “Death by Zip Code,” bringing to light the reasons for state-by-state disparities and exploring a solution to address this problem.
Forced Arbitration and the Silence of Victims, Darrell Swanson (MSL '22)
Forced arbitration clauses in employment contracts have long been used by companies to silence victims of harassment and sexual discrimination in the workplace. The good news is that a recently-passed law invalidates forced arbitration agreements that preclude a victim from filing a lawsuit in these cases. The bad news is that toxic office cultures continue to flourish. How can we hold companies and perpetrators accountable, and effectuate change in the workplace where pervasive misconduct remains?
Fueling the Knowledge Economy: Intellectual Capital Origins and the Great Pivot, Trenicka Dukes (MSL '22)
For centuries, civilizations have progressed as a result of human ingenuity; our past and our present have taught that “intellectual capital” sits at the forefront of economic development and global advancement. But the need to innovate does not just apply to products and services; it also applies to who we are as people. This presentation discusses why it is advantageous to pivot toward innovating our skills and ultimately our careers to meet the demands of the future.
How Entrepreneurship Education Empowers Innovation, Neil Misak (MSL '22)
Technology is an industry that does not respect tradition – it only respects innovation. As the digital age continues ahead at lightspeed, organizations of all sizes are continuously challenged to produce new products and services to compete in today’s marketplace. While the common assumption is that most inventions are derived in a laboratory or think tank (e.g. hackathons), this presentation will challenge that position by exploring the notion that education about entrepreneurship is quintessential to empower individuals and organizations to drive novel ideas forward.
Puerto Rico's Political Status: A Civil Rights Issue, Yael Quiles Ramirez (MSL '22)
This presentation will provide a look at how Puerto Rico's current political status affects the rights and opportunities of American citizens who live in the island. We will explore options to address the current issues, including statehood, which has become the leading decolonization movement supported by the majority of Puerto Ricans.
Issues in Legal Ethics: Professional Conduct and Artificial Intelligence, Kara Ferracuti (MSL '24)
Increasingly, attorneys are using artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technology to provide legal services to clients. But this increase in the use of technology creates additional complex issues for attorneys, who must comply with the American Bar Association’s rules of ethical and professional conduct (which don’t always keep up with changes in technology). This presentation explores the issues relevant to these professional obligations and discusses how legal-adjacent professionals who have expertise in AI technology and understand legal ethics can help ensure that these obligations are not overlooked in the busy, billing-focused practice of law.
Ill-Gotten Gains: Healthcare Fraud & Abuse in the US, Vaidehi Patel (MSL '22)
Fraud, waste, and abuse in the healthcare industry have been an increasing issue, especially in the light of the pandemic. These improper activities have the harmful effects of siphoning off significant resources from necessary healthcare services. This presentation is an attempt to raise awareness about these wrongful healthcare practices, the laws that regulate them, and the ways this bad behavior can be prevented.
Legal, Technical, and Ethical Notes on the Future of Video-Sharing Apps, Malcolm Xavier (MSL '23)
Using TikTok as its main example, this presentation considers the following questions about the content in video-sharing apps: What influence do federal and local law, parent companies, and product teams have on the content that users generate and with which they engage? And, what is the impact of "shadow banning" and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act on Black creators?
MSL Meets AGU (American Geophysical Union), Lauren Schenck (MSL '22)
The MSL provides earth scientists with a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between science and law when it comes to climate change. This presentation will discuss the environmental niche in the MSL program, the introduction of the program to the geophysical science community through the American Geophysical Union’s annual Fall Meeting, and the broader implications of training scientists to work in policy.
Past Perfect to CLANK: The Story of a Contract Clause Analysis Tool, Kai Seltner (MSL '22)
Despite what television shows like Suits and Law and Order would suggest, a large part of a lawyer’s time is spent drafting documents for clients. Most lawyers would begin the drafting process with a previously-used document, but there are issues and complications using this approach. In collaboration with Mayer Brown’s Legal Innovation team, students in Northwestern’s Innovation Lab developed a technology tool to assist in drafting legal documents – a Word plug-in that helps lawyers identify and adjust clauses without leaving the Word environment. This presentation discusses the development and future of this helpful tool.
How Cultural Differences Inspired My Entrepreneurship Experience, Nawon Kim (MSL '22)
How does a person who doesn’t know anything about business create a start-up and develop an entrepreneurial mindset? This presentation discusses my journey in the Entrepreneurship Lab class, and how I learned to find strength in cultural differences rather than to be derailed by them.
[Omnibuster]: a Platform for Digesting Omnibus Legislation, Rory Fitzpatrick (MSL '22) & Vivien Lai (MSL '22)
Omnibus bills are difficult to navigate and require prohibitive amounts of cross-referencing; digesting them takes significant time and effort. [Omnibuster], a technology platform developed in the Law School’s Innovation Lab, is designed to make it easier for lawyers and the public to understand and navigate complicated legislation.
Privacy Law & Violations: What Star Trek Predicted and What it Teaches Us, Jill Woodman (MSL '22)
Privacy protections are already very limited in the United States, and we run the risk of having privacy limited even further if technologies continue to advance without adequate legal protections. This presentation uses examples from Star Trek – the sci-fi show that anticipated multiple scientific advances decades ahead of their time – to focus on legal protections for privacy in the US, including what constitutes a violation and what personal rights of action can be taken when a violation occurs. Learn more about how holodecks (augmented reality), biological samples, and HIPAA are treated in the future.
Responsible AI: Where Are We Headed?, Sravya Prabhala (MSL '23)
Several alarming concerns related to how AI systems are currently being used have us all wondering how we design the future in a way that ultimately brings about human-machine harmony. This presentation is an attempt to briefly introduce the motivation and a few milestones on the bumpy road to responsible AI.
The Challenges of Protecting Intellectual Property in Personalized Medicine, Spencer Stong (MSL '22)
The Importance of Community-Based Health Care: What I Learned From the Dominican Republic and Clínica de Familia, Olivia Asimakis (MSL ‘22)
The Access to Health Project is a human rights endeavor in which different community partners join forces with interdisciplinary Northwestern students to create actionable solutions to unique challenges. As part of this project, I worked with public health, business, and law students in a partnership with Clìnica de Familia in La Romana, Dominican Republic, a comprehensive clinic that serves low-income and stigmatized communities. Our team worked to deliver strategies to help Clìnica become more self-sustainable so that it can maintain its social mission and ensure that the populations it serves will not lose critical healthcare, even with a reduction in external funding. This experience grew my interprofessional knowledge and heightened my ability to devise novel remedies for complex issues.
Toward Ethical AI: The Role of Soft Law, Rory Fitzpatrick (MSL '22)
Algorithms and their impact are pervasive and rapidly evolving. While legislation and regulation are slow to develop, "soft law" encompasses a complementary and flexible suite of tools that can be responsive to emerging trends. This talk will provide a high-level overview of the current landscape of algorithm governance and the role of soft law in that space.
The 3rd Annual MSL Symposium
The 2021 symposium, held May 6-7, 2021, featured a keynote address by Tadeu Carneiro, Chairman and CEO of Boston Metal and virtual poster presentations, during which 13 MSL students displayed their work and ideas on a variety of topics, ranging from artificial intelligence to medical device entrepreneurship.
2021 MSL Symposium Student Presentations:
AI Integration in Medicine: Case Studies and the Legal Challenges they Present, Dan Kinstedt (MSL ’21)
This presentation will explore three current AI use cases in the medical field – ranging from diagnostic to clinical trials – and the potential legal risks they pose. It will also cover prominent legal, regulatory, and ethical concerns, as well as prospective solutions.
Analyzing Global Cosmetics Regulations, Aishwarya Raj (MSL '21)
This presentation will compare regulatory frameworks governing cosmetics in different jurisdictions. It will look at the scope of regulations, how those regulations apply, and at the impact of regulations on product safety.
Analyzing the Performance and Value of 2020 Election Polls: How to Better Consume Polling Data, Stella Wu (MSL '21)
This presentation aims to answer the following questions:
- How divergent were the 2020 election polls from the actual result – where and why did such divergence occur?
- Was there any systematic bias in the polling, and if so, which candidate was most affected?
By examining these questions, I hope to share advice on how to be a more informed consumer of data when interpreting and commenting on future election polls.
Clinical Research Regulation – How Hollywood Can Help, Jill Woodman (MSL '22)
Clinical research has multiple layers of regulation designed to protect patients and ensure that their participation is safe, meaningful, and worthwhile. Yet, Hollywood portrays clinical research as if it is a very unregulated and unsafe process, and this may hamper patient participation. If Hollywood were to accurately portray the process of clinical research, patients would better understand the protections and procedures and would be more likely to participate in the process of clinical research.
COVID-19, Depression, and the Public Health Implications, Brittanie Clarke (MSL '21), Erica Leser (MSL '21), and Nevena Aleksic (MSL '21)
The COVID-19 pandemic has broad implications for the future of public health. Through a quantitative analysis of current mental health data, we examine how different population groups were affected by the pandemic. Such an analysis allows us to anticipate future needs in health policy.
Criminal Justice Policy and Racial Disparities: the Illinois Department of Corrections as a Case Study, Yasmine Ramachandra (MSL ’21)
This year, Illinois became the first state to abolish the cash bail system, and we know that other monumental reforms are on their way. But what effect have past reforms had on shaping the prison system, and have they influenced population demographics? How can this analysis inform future advocacy? Please come to learn more about the effects Illinois criminal justice policy has had on inequalities in the system.
FullCycle: Our Entrepreneurship Journey to Diagnosing Endometriosis, Karyssa Clark (MSL ’21), Rakshitha Kamath (MSL ’21), Yasmine Ramachandra (MSL ’21), and Alexis Smith (MSL ’21)
This presentation will discuss FullCycle, a company that was born in the Entrepreneurship Lab class. FullCycle seeks to diagnose endometriosis early and non-invasively. We all know someone with endometriosis, so please come to learn more about an entrepreneurial approach that will address gaps in the care of this serious disorder.
Monitoring and Oversight of Clinical Trials: The Internal Audit Function, Kara Ferracuti (MSL '22)
Many entities facilitate proper monitoring and oversight of clinical trials, including the Food & Drug Administration, Institutional Review Boards, and sponsors. Even with all this oversight, clinical study teams need to do more to ensure they are in compliance with applicable rules and regulations. The internal audit function should be a standard part of clinical research to help identify non-compliance, ensure the protection of human research subjects, verify the accuracy and reliability of data, and improve site processes and staff training.
MSL: A Year in Entrepreneurship, Elizabeth Bailey (MSL '21), Brent Halvorson (MSL '21), and Peter Lee (MSL '21)
Despite coming from varied experience and educational backgrounds, our team had a common interest in exploring the realm of entrepreneurship. Thanks to the innovative MSL curriculum and powerful program network, we were able to dive into the Chicagoland startup scene and discover new career opportunities and interests. In this presentation, we will highlight our entrepreneurial journeys through the MSL program.
Navigating Regulatory Waters: Confronting the Public’s Problem with PFAS, Madeline O’Dwyer (MSL ’21)
It is now estimated that 98-99% of humans have industrial PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in their blood. The EPA's proposed rule to address this problem is deficient, as it lacks proper testing methods and sampling decisions. Remedying the proposed rule requires the consideration of factors such as environmental justice, health of vulnerable groups, and the use of best available technology.
Shaping Healthcare Policy: Inserting the Voice of the Rare Disease Patient, Monica Weldon (MSL '22)
Rare diseases in the United States are an unrecognized public health burden; rare disease patients face delayed diagnoses, limited or non-existent treatment options, and lack of access to appropriate care. The pathway to improving the landscape is including the patient voice and using it to mobilize legislation that will better address the needs of those with rare diseases.
Turning People into Trees: Advocating for Natural Rights in American Law, Michelle Carter (MSL ’21)
America is desperately searching for policy solutions to mitigate environmental damages as the climate crisis worsens. One solution is giving legal rights and personhood to natural features. This talk will introduce the basis for these rights, explain the history and current issues in natural policy, and outline the future of rights for nature in America.
Zero to One: A Medical Device Story, Kan-Min Steven Hsu (MSL '21), Kimberly Ransom (MSL '21), Vishal Shah (MSL '21), and Ian Welsch (MSL '21)
Our company, VIKS, is born out of the MSL Entrepreneurship Lab class. United by the desire to improve patient care, we merged our business, legal, and technical backgrounds to create a healthcare solution. This presentation is a behind-the-scenes look at our journey – from ideation to a product solution.
The 2nd Annual MSL Symposium
The 2020 symposium, held May 8, 2020, featured virtual presentations, during which 17 MSL students displayed their work and ideas on a variety of topics, ranging from artificial intelligence to cannabis legalization.
2020 MSL Symposium Student Presentations:
Addressing the Rising Rates in Medical Malpractice, Radhika Raturi (MSL ’20)
This presentation focuses on medical malpractice and, in particular, on disparities in medical malpractice rates across jurisdictions. By exploring administrative, legal, medical, bureaucratic, and cultural frameworks, the presentation will attempt to shed light on this complex topic.
AI: The Next Microwave Oven, Sanaz Zahedi (MSL ’20)
AI is a fast-emerging and captivating area of interest that is flattening the world. Despite major breakthroughs in AI, why are organizations not adopting it and what are the key barriers to the adoption of AI?
Correlation Between Crimes and Proximity to Police Stations in the City of Chicago, Aaditya Rawal (MSL ’20)
This presentation explores crime data provided by the City of Chicago, using an algorithm that looks at the crimes and the distance from the closest police station in an attempt to discover interesting relationships found in the data.
Closing the Gap in Healthcare Disparities of African American Women in Cancer Clinical Trials, Bridgette McCullough (MSL ’20)
This presentation details the creation of a new company, Acirah, whose goal is to recruit, enroll, and monitor participation of African Americans in clinical trials. Acirah also aims to ensure that the African American community will be better served by existing healthcare delivery systems.
Deep Learning in Healthcare, Tiffany Zhao (MSL ’20)
Artificial intelligence and deep learning are at the forefront of modern technological innovation. From neural networks to ethics, this presentation covers the significance of deep learning and potential applications in healthcare.
Health and Human Rights: Access to Health Project, Orkidea Bajrami (MSL ’20), Amie Patel (MSL ’20) and Keerti Tadimeti (MSL ’20)
The interdisciplinary Access to Health Project (ATH) brings together students and faculty to work in consultation with marginalized communities to assess health needs, and to design a targeted, sustainable approach. Our team served as ‘consultants’ to an organization that focuses on helping women and children in Greece; we looked at how cultural mediators can use technology to facilitate accurate information exchange between community workers and migrants.
International Team Project (ITP): My Big Fat Greek Economic Crisis, Winisha Smith (MSL ’20)
The International Team Project (ITP) course brings together students who undertake a semester-long research project focused on a particular country, culminating in field study work in that country. Though the field study did not take place this year, this presentation focuses on the Greek economic crisis of 2009, providing an economic snapshot, a look at affected industries, brain drain, and the current state of Greece a decade later.
Out-of-Pocket Medical Costs for Disadvantaged Populations, Eric Ni (MSL ’20)
The study examines out-of-pocket healthcare costs within the United States healthcare model, specifically exploring three patient populations: older patients, diabetic patients, and individuals diagnosed with Down Syndrome.
Potential Benefits and Risks of Federal Legalization of Cannabis, Joe Parrish (MSL ’20)
This presentation explores opportunities and risks associated with federal cannabis legalization – both medical and recreational – in the United States, including an analysis of problems that could potentially be solved by cannabis legislation.
Project Traffic Light: Identifying Victims of Human Trafficking in the Justice System, Eric DeChant (MSL ’20)
Victims of human trafficking are often arrested for crimes they are forced to commit. Using expert knowledge gleaned from senior judges, Project Traffic Light will demonstrate analytical tools built to help judges identify and extricate these defendant victims from lives of servitude.
Say What? Communicating to the Masses, Katherine Culbert (MSL ’20)
Technical information can be very informative, but it can also be very difficult to understand. This presentation shows how the same information can be presented in different ways, and how those different ways can affect the recipient’s understanding of the material. This information is especially important to know when communicating complex technical information to those who do not have a technical background.
The Biotechnology Patent Landscape, Jill Crich (MSL ’20) and Cristina Craig (MSL ’20)
Acquiring patent protection for biotechnology is a complicated process and the current patent law landscape poses many obstacles. We will explore the current challenges biotech firms face while trying to secure IP protection for their life-saving innovations, and also how current policies may dis-incentivize innovation in this area.
Understanding the Healthcare Regulatory Process and Constraints, Aishwarya Raj (MSL ’20)
This presentation highlights the changing needs of the pharmaceutical industry as well as various regulatory timelines and stipulations for different pharmaceutical products. The current COVID-19 pandemic will provide some context for this exploration.
Venture Strategies through Case Examples, T. Alastair DeNova (MSL ’20)
A dive into strategies used by early-stage and evolving companies who aim to be at the forefront of the innovation economy. Presentation will cover companies in varying industries highlighted in the MSL course: Cases in New Venture Strategies.
Inaugural MSL Symposium 2019
The Inaugural MSL Symposium featured a poster presentation session where students displayed their work on a variety of projects at this all-important intersection, a keynote address by Dr. Norbert Riedel, and live presentations from student projects on a range of topics, including artificial intelligence, genomic data, medical device entrepreneurship, health and human rights, and the space industry..