Hackathon 2025#
We held our second biocommons hackathon on September 3-5, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. The goal of the hackathon is to have new and existing collaborators develop and advance biocommons projects.
We had 20 participants from 8 institutions signed up: Broad Institute, Mayo Clinic, Natera, Bridge Analytics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Epic, UC Santa Cruz, and SA Pathology (Australia!).
Dates#
The hackathon will take place at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Conference Center and The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine.
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, September 3 | 9 AM - 4:30 PM EST |
| Thursday, September 4 | 9 AM - 4:30 PM EST |
| Friday, September 5 | 9 AM - 3 PM EST |
We intend to have an optional 8 AM – 9 AM EST coffee & connections each day.
Attendance#
There is no cost to register.
We’re asking participants to commit to:
- Supporting the biocommons mission
- Being actively engaged, focused, and contributing during the hackathon (i.e., no observers, no side projects)
- Making future contributions
- Following our code of conduct
- Attending all three days in person, without interruption
If you can commit to everything listed, please RSVP.
Accommodation#
We have compiled a list of recommended hotels to stay at. To simplify transportation and encourage carpooling, we suggest choosing from these recommended hotels.
| Hotel | Stars | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Home2 Suites by Hilton Columbus Downtown | 3 | .7 mile |
| Hyatt Regency Columbus | 3 | 2.0 miles |
| Drury Plaza Hotel Columbus Downtown | 3 | 1.9 miles |
| Canopy By Hilton Columbus Downtown Short North | 3 | 2.1 miles |
| Hilton Columbus Downtown | 4 | 2.1 miles |
| Sonesta Columbus Downtown | 4 | 2.1 miles |
Projects#
We are accepting project proposals. To propose a project, please submit your idea using our GitHub issue template. We encourage you to submit your proposal ASAP so others have a time to review your proposal before the event.
Check out the repository proposal tracker and express your interest in proposed hackathon projects with reactions on the top-level comment. If you want to see a proposed project clarified or otherwise revised, add a comment to the issue and get a discussion going!
Proposal Selection#
Each proposal will have a few minutes at the start of the hackathon to give a brief pitch. After the pitches, we will break off into smaller groups to focus on the proposals that generate the most interest and engagement.
Agenda#
A light breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided each day. We will have optional happy hours and dinners, which you must pay for yourself.
Locations#
We will be located in the Conference Center (520 Butterfly Gardens Dr) for Coffee & Connections, Lunch, and Wrap Up.
We will have breakout rooms in Research Building 3/4 (RB3/4) (575 Children's Xrd).
September 3, 2025 (Day 1)#
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 08:00 - 09:00 | Coffee & Connections. Panera coffee coffee, tea, bagels, and pastries will be provided. |
| 09:00 - 09:20 | Welcome & introductions |
| 09:20 - 09:50 | Project proposals |
| 09:50 - 10:00 | Self-assortment into projects |
| 10:00 - 11:50 | Hack! |
| 11:50 - 12:00 | Head to Conference Center for lunch |
| 12:00 - 13:00 | Lunch (Catered Chipotle) |
| 13:00 - 14:30 | Hack! |
| 14:30 - 14:45 | Break |
| 14:45 - 16:00 | Hack! |
| 16:00 - 16:10 | Head to Conference Center for wrap up |
| 16:10 - 16:25 | Quick wrap up and early success stories |
| 16:25 - 17:00 | Transit |
| 17:00 - 19:00 | Dinner at North Market (closes at 19:00) |
| 19:00 - ? | Pickleball @ Goodale Park |
September 4, 2025 (Day 2)#
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 08:00 - 09:00 | Coffee & Connections. Panera coffee coffee, tea, bagels, and pastries will be provided. |
| 09:00 - 09:40 | Standup (What we did yesterday, what we plan to accomplish today, blockers etc.) |
| 09:40 - 09:45 | Group picture |
| 09:45 - 11:50 | Hack! |
| 11:50 - 12:00 | Head to Conference Center for lunch |
| 12:00 - 13:00 | Lunch (Brown Bag Deli) (might be a little late) |
| 13:00 - 14:30 | Hack! |
| 14:30 - 14:45 | Break |
| 14:45 - 16:00 | Hack! |
| 16:00 - 16:10 | Head to Conference Center for wrap up |
| 16:10 - 16:25 | Quick wrap up and early success stories |
| 16:25 - 17:00 | Transit |
| 17:00 - ? | Happy Hour at Seventh Son |
September 5, 2025 (Day 3)#
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 08:00 - 09:00 | Coffee & Connections. Panera coffee coffee, tea, bagels, and pastries will be provided. |
| 09:00 - 09:45 | Standup (What we did yesterday, what we plan to accomplish today, blockers etc.) |
| 09:45 - 11:50 | Hack! |
| 11:50 - 12:00 | Head to Conference Center for lunch |
| 12:00 - 13:00 | Lunch (Catered Donatos) |
| 13:00 - 14:20 | Hack! |
| 14:20 - 14:30 | Head to Conference Center for closing |
| 14:30 - 14:55 | Closing |
| 15:00 - ? | Potentially meeting somewhere |
Staying connected#
Planning for the hackathon, and announcements during it, will be on the #hackathon-2025 slack channel. See Community for how to join.