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**Inflow 6:00 PM - Talks Start \~6:30 PM** **Reston Community Center - 2310 Colts Neck Rd, Reston, VA 20191** NoVA Hackers is a group located in the Northern Virginia area and is made up of Information Security Professionals from all walks of life, from government and private sector, to students and beginners. The monthly meetings are held much like a mini-conference with 4-8 speakers and only a few basic but strict rules. Participation and Permission Active Participation is required for continued membership and is the only due required. Permission is required to be obtained from anyone providing information to the group from the person providing it to be made public by anyone other than the provider. Historically our talks generally run a bit late and we have a hard stop at 9:30pm for the room. If you want to socialize we recommend you arrive at 6 to meet and greet before the talks. Agendas and remote meeting option available after you join the group.

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike. [Sweet Run State Park](https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sweet-run) Virginia features expansive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Sweet Run and Piney Run streams bisect the property. The property includes eleven miles of hiking and 9 miles of equestrian trails along streams, through mature forest, meadows and mountain-side terrains. It is located between Hillsboro, VA, and Harper's Ferry, WV. They have a need for volunteers to assist in doing maintenance in the park. Some hiking required. The work will involve removing water bars from the Derry Loop that are no longer doing their job and creating tripping hazards for equestrians and hikers. This will involve digging, lifting, and then re-grading the area. Bring a water bottle and work gloves. Sunscreen and bug spray/bug net are also recommended. Wear good cover from the sun and long pants. They will have a water cooler and snacks. This is your chance to do some rewarding work. We plan to work from 9:00am until noon. After the work you are welcome to bring your lunch to eat at the picnic tables afterwards. Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 Attendees limited to 15. No dogs permitted. Park Entry Fee: None, as volunteers they will pass out hang tags to us at the parking lot. Rating: Fun Carpools: Arrive at the Dulles Transit Park and Ride at 7:45am, carpools leave at 8:00am. GPS Coordinates: 38.976317, -77.433659, [https://maps.app.goo.gl/5VB71QdWsy9KjGZi8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/5VB71QdWsy9KjGZi8). Go to the end of Pacific Blvd and turn left into the Park and Ride lot. Suggested carpool fee is $5. \*\*The leader will be at the carpool location.\*\* Driving time to the trailhead from the carpool location \~45 minutes. If meeting at the Blue Ridge Center, arrive by 8:45am work starts at 9:00am. GPS Coordinates: [39.2925, -77.7260](https://goo.gl/maps/EerEemX8pKPZe7sD7) [https://goo.gl/maps/EerEemX8pKPZe7sD7](https://goo.gl/maps/EerEemX8pKPZe7sD7) Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride to the trailhead from the carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk. This event will be postponed in the event of bad weather.

…Transform Our Lives, Work, and World (2024) by Jamie Metzl, 432 pages [Genetics] • Paperback • Hardcover • Kindle • Audiobook • Library: [https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=615082](https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=615082) Check the How To Find Us section for Zoom Link **(Remember, the Zoom Link is different each month, do not bookmark)** ### Review “In Superconvergence, Jamie Metzl takes readers on a magical journey through the science of the intersecting genetics, biotech, and AI revolutions, deeply explores the implications, and challenges us to think creatively and proactively about what comes next. Very few books are absolute must-reads. This is one.”―Siddhartha Mukherjee, assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University and author of The Gene: An Intimate History "During the 25 years I have known Jamie Metzl, he has always been ahead of the curve. There is no one better to help us understand and prepare for the fast-approaching technological revolutions. Superconvergence is brilliant. I can't recommend it more strongly."―Sanjay Gupta MD, bestseller author, neurosurgeon, and Emmy-award winning chief medical correspondent (CNN) "Our world is defined by our science and technology—whether we like it or not. The question now is not whether to use these powers, but how best to use them. In Superconvergence, Jamie Metzl takes us on a journey through the new capabilities that are radically transforming ecosystems inside us and around us, challenging each of us to get personally involved with building the future we want."―Beth Shapiro, University of California Santa Cruz evolutionary biologist and author of Life as We Made It: How 50,000 Years of Human Innovation Refined―and Redefined―Nature "In a fine counter-blast to the pessimism of today, Jamie Metzl lays out just how spectacular the future of humanity and planet can be if we harness innovation responsibly and imaginatively to create what he calls the 'spiral of progress.'"―Matt Ridley, author of How Innovation Works, and co-author of Viral: The search for the Origin of Covid-19 “A page-turning journey through space and time that shows us how our lives will be changed by imminent technological advances we once only dreamed of.”―David Sinclair, Professor of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, and author of Lifespan: Why We Age―and Why We Don't Have To “The superconvergence of the genetics, biotechnology, and AI revolutions provides spectacular opportunities for building a better world. It also represents an almost limitless investment opportunity. We were excited to collaborate with Jamie Metzl, one of the world's great experts on how these aspirations can best be realized, including in capital markets. Superconvergence is a master class for imagining, investing in, and building a future we'd like to inhabit."―Jeremy Schwartz, Global Chief Investment Officer, WisdomTree “A clear examination of a transitional moment in the story of life on Earth…. Metzl capably describes recent developments in genetics and biotech and looks at how AI is providing an analytical engine of unprecedented power…. An important book in which the author sets out a path for the future based on his experience and expertise.”―Kirkus “Erudite, optimistic, and timely.”―Science Magazine "[In Superconvergence] Mr. Metzl has identified an important truth: that the convergence of new technologies is galvanizing us to reimagine how to meet urgent challenges in medicine and the environment. It’s a compelling opportunity—provided we manage to sidestep self-induced catastrophes along the way."―The Wall Street Journal ### About the Author Jamie Metzl is a leading technology and healthcare futurist and the founder and chair of OneShared.World. He is the author of Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity and four other books and was a member of the World Health Organization expert advisory committee on human genome editing. Jamie previously served in the U.S. National Security Council, State Department, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee and with the United Nations in Cambodia. His work has been featured by most major media organizations around the world, including 60 Minutes, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Fox, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, the Times of London, Le Monde, and Paris Match, and his podcast interviews with Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, and others have reached tens of millions of listeners. He lives in New York City. Visit Jamiemetzl.com.

**Gonzo's Nose is the most popular party band in the national capitol area. Formed in the summer of 1996 by four musicians from the College of William and Mary, Gonzo's Nose brings solid musicianship to a massive setlist of cover songs, which range from the early 80's up until songs that hit the radio just yesterday.** **We will meet by the beer tent.**

**Every Friday · 7:00 PM** **Location:** Google Meet **Join here:** [https://meet.google.com/jvc-ajhk-vci](https://meet.google.com/jvc-ajhk-vci) Can’t make it out in person? Join your DTs friends for our Weekly Virtual Happy Hour - a relaxed, welcoming space to unwind, chat, and connect from wherever you are. This is an easygoing online gathering for conversation, laughter, and connection. Whether you’re a longtime member, someone who hasn’t joined us in a while, or brand new to Dulles Triangles, you are welcome. Bring your favorite drink, get comfortable, and drop in when you can. **No RSVP is required.** Just click the Google Meet link and join us. Please note: On occasion, Virtual Happy Hour may be cancelled or rescheduled. We’ll share updates as soon as we’re able. Come relax, connect, and find your tribe with DTs - from anywhere. 💙💻

**The Neural Revolution Is Happening Right Now — Are You Plugged In?** Imagine typing with your thoughts. Steering a robotic limb with a neural signal. Lifting depression by stimulating a single brain circuit. Loading a skill straight into memory. This isn't science fiction. It's happening in labs, clinics, and startups around the world — and the DC region, home to NIH, the BRAIN Initiative, and DARPA's neural-interface programs, is one of the places it's being funded and built. **This Event Is for You If…** * ✅ You're a **technologist** curious about the computing paradigm beyond screens and keyboards * ✅ You work in **healthcare** and want to see how neural interfaces will reshape patient care * ✅ You're an **entrepreneur** hunting the next real opportunity in deep tech * ✅ You're a **researcher** looking to plug into the broader BCI ecosystem * ✅ You're simply **fascinated** by where neuroscience and technology collide * ✅ You **missed our last meetup** and want to reconnect with the community **Why That List Makes Us Unique in DC** Read it again. A technologist, a clinician, a founder, a researcher, and the merely curious — in the same room, on the same afternoon. That mix is the whole point, and it's what no other event in the region offers. Neuroscience conferences are built for neuroscientists. AI meetups are built for engineers. Healthcare summits are built for clinicians. Each one serves a single silo. Brain computing doesn't live in any one of those silos — it lives in the overlap. So we built the one community in DC dedicated to that overlap: a place where the person decoding neural signals can talk to the person who'll commercialize the device, who can talk to the clinician who'll put it in front of a patient. **What You'll Walk Away With** This isn't just another tech meetup. Because of who's in the room, you get: * **Frontline insight** from people actively decoding neural signals * **Direct access** to the scientists, engineers, and founders pushing BCI forward — not a panel behind a rope line * **Hands-on work** with real neural data and BCI systems * **Career connections** in one of the fastest-growing fields in tech * **First looks** at breakthrough research before it reaches mainstream media **The Stakes Are Real** We're at an inflection point. The next decade decides whether brain-computer interfaces *expand* human potential or *deepen* inequality — whether they're built in the open or behind closed doors, whether the benefits are shared or hoarded. Your voice, your expertise, your perspective shapes which future we get. **Join the Minds Shaping Tomorrow** This is your entry point into the neural-interface revolution — your chance to stand alongside the researchers reading neural code, the engineers building the interfaces, the clinicians treating patients, and the founders bringing it all to market. **Saturday, June 13 · 12:00–3:00 PM** isn't just a meetup. It's the one place in DC where all of those people come together around brain computing. **Come curious. Leave connected. Return transformed.** Because the future of human-computer interaction isn't happening *to* you — it's happening *with* you.

We will meet in the Janney Parlor.

While you spend your career relentlessly hardening technical systems, are you overlooking the most critical operating layer? Technical expertise is only half the battle. Join us on **Tuesday, June 9, 2026,** at **Honor Brewing Company** at **42604 Trade West Dr, Sterling, VA 20166** to unlock the human side of security! Want a custom name tag to enhance your networking opportunities? Register here and yours will be ready at the door: https://share.hsforms.com/1lIgM4Vu3Q0KlJsKTmyXnigdwxz1 We are thrilled to welcome **Stacey Champagne**, Founder & CEO of **Women's Cybersecurity Alliance**, to share how EQ can transform how you lead under pressure! Stacey, is a leading insider risk management expert who has built security programs for **Fortune 500** companies,high growth startups, private equity, and federal agencies. Her experience spans advanced cybersecurity degrees (**CISSP, GSOM, GSLC**) and **federal intelligence experience**, including creating briefings for the major stakeholders from **military leaders** to the **President** of the United States. Firewalls and patches cannot manage panic during a breach. Human leadership can. Mark your calendars to join us for this exclusive session next month! **Agenda** 5:30 Social hour and networking begins 6:10 Welcome 6:15 Patch Your Leadership Stack - Stacey Champagne 6:50 Q&A 7:00 Open Mic & Networking Continues 7:30 Adjourn

Join Dulles Triangles for our Weekly Happy Hour at Breakers Sky Lounge - a casual, welcoming gathering where you can relax, connect, and spend time with community. This is a great event for longtime members, new members, and anyone who is curious about Dulles Triangles. Come solo or bring a friend. We’ll be happy to welcome you either way. We usually gather in the spacious open area near the entrance, which makes it easy to find the group, mingle, and meet new people. Look for the people with the rainbow lanyards, they will make sure you are welcomed. **No RSVP is required**, but RSVPs are always helpful so we have a sense of who may be joining us. Come unwind after work, share a laugh, make a new connection, and find your tribe with DTs. 🌈 *** On occasion, Happy Hour plans may need to change. We’ll share updates as soon as we’re able.

**✨ Join Us at Peter Chang in Herndon!** Join your DTs friends and family for an unforgettable Szechuan dinner at Peter Chang, located at 2322 Silver Arrow Wy, Herndon, VA 20171. It’s time to stop dreaming about spice and start living it. Join us at the legendary Peter Chang in Herndon for dazzling, nuanced, and seriously addictive Szechuan cuisine. If you're ready for the málà (numbing and spicy) sensation that defines the region, this is your pilgrimage. We're going to feast on signature dishes like their famous soup dumplings, spectacular Scallion Bubble Pancake, rich Dry-Fried Eggplant, Mongolian beef, and whatever other authentic, flavorful masterpieces we can fit on the table. Every Thursday is a new flavor with DTs. Come find yours! [https://peterchangherndon.com/](https://peterchangherndon.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExQ003SHljZzMwT1ZHQjU1YnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIIY2FsbHNpdGUBMgABHtPr-ZKGO8_f96Xj0WUhTq8Lap2uAWoz9sIgF5Y3QVOuyswsO98OB-9zo6OM_aem_GjMeBvYxE3MTai8VDAgewA&brid=1E16dMBo0d8FySYJcSI5sQ) If possible, please RSVP on our **Facebook** or **Meetup** pages so we can let the restaurant know how many people to expect. We will have a few extra seats available for last-minute joiners, but we get a big crowd, so please let us know! We don't want to leave you sitting at the bar!

**🥘 European Comfort & Cozy Vibes at Euro Bistro! ✨** Join your DTs friends and family for a delicious evening at **[Euro Bistro](https://euro-bistro.com/home)**, [314 Elden St, Herndon](https://maps.app.goo.gl/KRTrwF4v4M1hq4bx7), one of our most-loved dinner spots—so loved, in fact, they stay open just for us! 💖 ✨ Cozy, casual, and quietly fabulous, **Euro Bistro** offers rich Central European comfort food with a side of old-world charm. Favorites include crispy **Jägerschnitzel**, savory **Sauerbraten**, buttery **Beef Stroganoff**, and yes—creamy **Fettuccine Alfredo** for the pasta lovers. There’s something for every palate, including vegetarian options like **Caprese Salad**, **Potato Pancakes**, and **Vegetable Pasta**. 💖 A gentle (but classy) note from your event diva: They usually close at 8:00 PM, but they keep the doors open just for us! Please RSVP so we can give the kitchen a proper headcount. Walk-ins are welcome if there’s space—but securing your seat is très chic, darling. ✅ Claim your fork (and your chair!) Click “Going” here or RSVP on Facebook. Come for the schnitzel, stay for the laughs. 🌟 Every Thursday is a new flavor with DTs. This one just happens to taste like Europe.

Join Dulles Triangles for our Weekly Happy Hour at Breakers Sky Lounge - a casual, welcoming gathering where you can relax, connect, and spend time with community. This is a great event for longtime members, new members, and anyone who is curious about Dulles Triangles. Come solo or bring a friend. We’ll be happy to welcome you either way. We usually gather in the spacious open area near the entrance, which makes it easy to find the group, mingle, and meet new people. Look for the people with the rainbow lanyards, they will make sure you are welcomed. **No RSVP is required**, but RSVPs are always helpful so we have a sense of who may be joining us. Come unwind after work, share a laugh, make a new connection, and find your tribe with DTs. 🌈 *** On occasion, Happy Hour plans may need to change. We’ll share updates as soon as we’re able.

To secure your spot, grab your ticket from the Eventbrite link (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-party-at-l8-lounge-2nd-edition-tickets-48032723168). RSVPing only on the Meetup page, doesn't allow you to attend the Event. Otherwise, cover is $ 10 at the door. ABOUT THE EVENT Rock it up at the hottest party in town, filled with fun, drinks, dj and dance! We booked the entire venue for this party We will have specials, including our usual suspect MERtini:) Dress code : Dress to impress Event is free and 21+ Come one, come all; this is the most friendliest event you have ever attended! Feel free to invite your friends. They don't necessarily have to be a member Celebrate your birthday and your moments in life with us! For bottle/table service email (info@merevents.com) OR text 202-368-1878. METRO & PARKING INFO Closest Metro Station is McPherson Square (take either the White House or 14th Street Exit). Please take into consideration Metro's weekend truck work and allow enough time for your ride. Check it on http://www.wmata.com/ and plan accordingly. Street parking might be difficult. However, if you plan to drive, there are parking garages around.

Join us for another session of our study group as we cover the book Build a Reasoning Model (from Scatch). In this session, we will try to cover Chapter 1 titled "Understanding Reasoning Models", which defines what a Reasoning Model is and Chapter 2, on "Generating Text with an LLM". This isn't just a lecture! Come ready to ask questions, share insights, and code along. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this is the perfect opportunity to continue to learn together. If you plan to work with the code on your own laptop during the session, try and download the code from it's GitHub repository at https://github.com/rasbt/reasoning-from-scratch ahead of time.

**Our Meetup is off to another hiking adventure! Mt Kilimanjaro, as the tallest mountain in Africa, is included in the 7 Summits of the world.** **It is a bucket-list item for all hard-core hikers and mountain lovers.** We did this trek with Meetup in the summer of 2024 and it was a true experience of a lifetime (see photos below) Let's get to some numbers. It is 5,895m/19,340ft BUT . . . our starting elevation for the trek is 3795m/12541ft As such elevation gain is 2100m/6799ft To compare Everest Base Camp trek, is about 2754m/9035ft elevation change. And Mt Whitney is about 1828m/6000ft elevation change. The key to being able to succeed in this endeavor lays in the route and the support system. We are taking the Lemosho Route via the Northern Circuit. The Northern Circuit route is the longest and newest of the seven established Kilimanjaro routes. It's one of the best routes because it has the best acclimatization profile. This results in one of the highest summit success rates. Add to that stunning views, and comparatively relaxed pace. It is also much less crowded than the other Kilimanjaro routes. As far as our support system: We will be accompanied by experienced guides, porters and cooks. They are certified, ensuring our safety and comfort. Porters will carry our gear. We will have a high ratio of guides to hikers. Our guides will go our pace and support each and everyone of us, regardless of fitness level and pace. In other words...you go your own speed and we all get there safe. More about our trek/trip. As with all our international trips, we picked the best season/time of year to go for weather and wildlife. Lemosho and Northern Circuit is a scenically spectacular and varied route. At the lower elevations it has an abundance of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, eland and lion which come over to forage during dry season. **Each of our trips is personally crafted to offer the best places and best use of time.** *But I don't have the needed gear?!* You don't need much more than the standard trekker's equipment. We will provide you with a list of what is already included and what can be rented there. *Does this include food?* All meals on the trek potion are included and a cook travels with us! *What is lodging like?* We are sleeping in new and comfortable tents (carried during the day by porters) *I am new at this.* That's OK. We do plenty of prep Zooms before we depart. And in California we have a number of local outdoor day or weekend outings you can test out with us. *How dangerous is this? What if I get sick or hurt?* We will be walking on an established, well used trail the entire time. **Our trip INCLUDES emergency insurance.** We are also Certified Wilderness First Responders and our guides are members of (AMREF) Flying Doctor. **Plain and simple, safety is our primary goal.** *How much does this cost?* **Kilimanjaro Mountain Trek $3950 per person, double occupancy. Land only (airfare not included). Solo supplement $600** Trip Cost includes: \- 9 nights accommodation \- 3 meals everyday on the trek \- All Fees & Entrances and Taxes \- Camping equipment such as tents\, tables\, chairs\. \- Lead Guide\, Assistant Guides\, Porters and Cook *RSVP to this event shows your interest, but does not hold your space.* ***The only way to secure your spot for this trip is a $300 deposit:*** ***[CLICK HERE FOR SECURE DEPOSIT LINK](https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/8P9NUAVQM8UEN)*** *Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).* *IF you need an airfare quote,* [Click here to message Anna](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062) For more information about this or any of our other international events, fill out this form: **[INTERNATIONAL MEETUPS INFO REQUEST](https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8)** To see pictures from our Kilimanjaro adventure in 2024 [CLICK HERE](https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPkfkUp6sEZVQ-xse1di_K19d1QVmSb5KOLeIjynRoWGv_XFLXI8wBfT61XxAHavg?key=U2tKajBuOGRiZkxBOUtTUG1GbUVRVmlDaERCeG5n) We do a monthly Q & A Zoom: Meet others attending, be social, or come and get any questions answered. [Click Here to RSVP to our Zoom](https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/296044209/) The MAIN location where this event is posted: [https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/302872805/](https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/302872805/) (RSVP there for any conversation and comments) This events is cross posted to several other groups and the number of RSVPs on each is not reflective. We have a set of sister groups where we post our local free, local/regional camping, and our overseas events too. [Click Here ](https://www.meetup.com/CulturalArts/Events)for our other events: Live the adventure instead of only dreaming it! SOT 200318-10