From Iron Hands to Printed Organs

At The French Library Get Directions

Join us for an exploration into the world of medicine with the first program in our French Innovation Series.

We’ll begin with a discussion on today’s global biomedical web of innovations with Maryaline Catillon, Harvard Ph.D. candidate and former Hospital Director in France, Dr. Jean-Luc Boulnois, CEO of Quadrature, and Dr. Edward Kaye, CEO of Stoke Therapeutics. We’ll also learn about BIOMODEX, a French startup in the medical field, which will present its revolutionary technology in 3D printing organs.

This program also coincides with the opening of our gallery exhibition exploring both current innovations and those of yesteryear. It includes sketches from Ambroise Paré, a royal surgeon for a number of French kings who is considered a “father of surgery.” His ingenuity and innovations are credited for numerous improvements in the surgical field, including amputation, ligatures, artificial limbs, and more.

Event in English. A reception with refreshments will be provided after the discussion, during the gallery show.

For Members

$10

For Non-members

$20

About the Panelists

Maryaline Catillon is a Ph.D. candidate in Health Policy and Management at Harvard University and a pre-doctoral fellow in the NBER-IFS International Network on the Value of Medical Research. Her research focuses on issues at the intersection of health policy and innovation policy. Prior to Harvard, Maryaline worked as a Hospital Director in France. She holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics (Paris) and an MPH from the Pasteur Institute - CNAM School of Public Health (Paris). Maryaline is also a Vice-President and Board Member of the Sergei S Zlinkoff Fund for Medical Research and Education, as well as a member of the American Society of Health Economists, Association des Directeurs d'Hôpital, and former Chair of the French–American Conference on Hospital Innovation.

Dr. Jean-Luc Boulnois, Ph.D., is Chief Executive Officer of Quadrature LLC, a strategic advisory firm for device companies, and partner of several venture capital-backed medical device companies. He has over 30 years of international leadership experience in creating, operating, and financing medical device companies. For 11 years Dr. Boulnois was Chairman and CEO, and subsequently Executive Chairman, of Microline Surgical, a worldwide leader in electro-surgical instruments. He was also Executive Director at Arrow International; co-developer, President, and CEO of Sometec, an innovative company in non-invasive cardiovascular monitoring; and served as Director of Mauna Kea Technologies (Euronext: MKEA) Dr. Boulnois is co-author of 6 books and more than 35 peer-reviewed scientific articles in applied physics and biophysics. He is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Babson College, and was previously a lecturer at Princeton University and visiting professor at HEC in Paris. He holds an MSc. from Paris University, an EMBA from HEC, and a Ph.D. from Princeton University.

Dr. Edward Kaye, M.D. is the Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Stoke Therapeutics and member of the Boards of Directors of Cytokinetics, Inc. and The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. Previously, Dr. Kaye served as the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Medical Officer, and former Director of Sarepta Therapeutics. Prior to joining Sarepta, Dr. Kaye held various senior management positions at Genzyme Corporation, including Group Vice President of Clinical Development, Vice President of Medical Affairs for Lysosomal Storage Diseases, Vice President of Clinical Research and Interim Head of PGH Global Medical Affairs. Prior to entering the biotech industry, Dr. Kaye trained in Pediatrics, Pediatric Neurology, and Biochemical Genetics. He was on the research staff of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Tufts University Medical Center, and was the Chief of Biochemical Genetics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He continues on staff in Pediatric Neurology at the Boston Children’s Hospital. Ed earned his B.S. in Biology from Loyola University and earned his M.D. at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine.

French Innovation Series

France can lay claim to a significant number of world-changing inventions and innovations, from the Montgolfier brothers’ hot air balloon and the Concorde’s sonic boom, to pioneering the fashion industry, self-assembling shoes, live surgeries, and 3D printed aneurysms.

This spring, the French Library / Alliance Française of Boston and Cambridge is pleased to present “French Innovation,” its latest cultural program series. Each program in the series will explore the history of an industry, present its evolution and current landscape, welcome a modern-day innovator who will introduce us to a groundbreaking product, and provide an eye-opening, interactive gallery exhibit.

This series is brought to you, in part, by the Consulat Général de France à Boston, the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, and the Office for Science and Technology of the French Embassy.

Corporate Sponsor

Upcoming Events

See All Upcoming Events

Performing Arts & Screenings

Behind the Curtain : Le Porteur d'Histoire

In partnership with the French Theater Project

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Join us for a special preview of Le Porteur d’Histoire, Alexis Michalik’s award-winning play, ahead of its November 13–15 performances at the Calderwood Pavilion in Boston.

Social & Community

November Alors... Conversation Club

In-person, Indoor Event in French

Friday, November 13, 2026

Seeking opportunities to speak French? Join us for our popular members-only conversation gathering.

Others

Library Book Sale - November 2026

New and used books in French

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Browse hundreds of books in French, with prices starting at $1 during our biannual book sale. There are not many opportunities to find French books at such a good price in the area, so don't miss your chance to stock up!

See All