Each year, the A Look Ahead symposium gives the region’s scientific community the opportunity to hear some of the nation’s top scientists discuss their transformative research. Offered at UMBC since 1999, this symposium informs the UMBC and Maryland scientific communities through two plenary speakers, a faculty poster session, and a networking reception. Hosted each year by the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, A Look Ahead is offered free of charge due to the generosity of its annual sponsors. The proceeds from this event support the Annual CNMS Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences at UMBC. Dr. Isiah Warner and Dr. Paula Grabrowski were the Plenary Speakers for 2016.