Student-Invited Speaker

Science and Society Speaker Series

This series approaches broader impact topics and expands our view of research in science, engineering and technology. Science and Society Speaker Series events include a wine and cheese reception following the seminar and are partially sponsored by the Graduate Assembly.

Spring 2019

April 10, 2019 — 4pm, Tan Hall

Our first student-invited speaker for Spring 2019 was Dr. Eric McFarland Professor of Chemical Engineering at University of California, Santa Barbara.

Fall 2018

August 29, 2018 — 4pm, Tan Hall

Our first student-invited speaker for Fall 2018 was Dr. Debra Rolison, a Physical Chemist at the Naval Research Laboratory, where she is head of the Advanced Electrochemical Materials section.

October 10, 2018 — 4pm, Tan Hall

Our second student-invited speaker for Fall 2018 was Dr. Sosina Haile, Professor of Material Science and Engineering and Professor of Applied Physics at Northwestern University.

Fall 2017

November 15, 2017 — 4pm, Tan Hall

Our student-invited speaker for Fall 2017 was Dr. Ed Cussler Jr., Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

Spring 2017

February 1, 2017 — 4pm, Tan Hall

Our student-invited speaker for Spring 2017 was Dr. Richard Felder, Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University. He is co-author of Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes and has devoted significant effort to chemical engineering and STEM education.

Fall 2016

September 28, 2016 — 4pm, Tan Hall

Our student-invited speaker for Fall 2016 was Dr. Robert Jackson, Professor of Earth System Science at Stanford.

Spring 2016

January 20, 2016 — 4pm, Tan Hall

Our student-invited speaker for Spring 2016 was Dr. Arlene Blum executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute. The Institute brings government, industry, scientists and citizens groups together worldwide to support chemical policies to protect human health and the global environment. Their research and policy work has contributed to stopping the use harmful chemicals in children's sleepwear, furniture, electronics and other products globally.

Fall 2015

October 6, 2015 — 4pm, Tan Hall

Our student-invited speaker for Fall 2015 was Dr. Vicky Demas from Google Life Sciences.

Spring 2015

April 8, 2015 — 4pm, Tan Hall

Our student-invited speaker for Spring 2015 was Dr. John C. Berg of the University of Washington. He is a professor of Chemical Engineering and a leader in the field of Interfacial and Colloid Science, having written a bestselling textbook titled "Interfacial and Colloid Science."

Fall 2014

October 8, 2014 — 4pm

Our student-invited speaker for Fall 2014 was Dr. Brian Korgel of the University of Texas at Austin. He is a professor of Chemical Engineering as well as Director of the National Science Foundation "I/URC for Next Generation Photovoltaics" project. His talk is titled "At Least 1,000x thinner than a Human Hair."

Spring 2014

February 12, 2014 — 4pm

Our student-invited speaker for Spring 2014 was Dr. Andrea Armani of University of Southern California. She is an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering and Material Sciences at USC. She has received many of awards for her work including Technology Review Top 35 Innovators under 35, Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, and NIH New Innovator Award. Her talk is titled "Integrated Photonics for Exploring Biological Systems."

Fall 2013

September 25, 2013 — 4pm, 1 LeConte

Our student-invited speaker for Fall 2013 was Dr. C. Grant Willson of the University of Texas at Austin. He is a professor of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry and was previously an IBM Fellow and Manager of the Polymer Science and Technology area at the IBM Almaden Research Center in San Jose, California. He has won numerous awards including the National Medal for Technology and Innovation by the President of the United States and the Japan Prize. His talk is titled "Polymers for High Resolution Imaging Applications."

Fall 2012

September 26, 2012 — 4pm, 180

Tan Our first student-invited speaker of Fall 2012 was Dr. Channing Robertson of Stanford. He is Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering and also helped start the Department of Bioengineering at Stanford. He served as an expert witness against Dalkon shield contraceptive device and the Minnesota Tobacco Trial in addition to recently working with National Academy of Sciences and Congress on state of forensic sciences in US. His talk is titled "Forensic Science: An Oxymoron?"

October 31, 2012 — 4pm, 180 Tan

Our second student-invited speaker for Fall 2012 Dr. John Barclay who is currently starting up his 3rd company as Managing Member and CTO at Emerald Energy NW. He worked at Los Alamos in Aeronautics until 1992 and then became tenured faculty member of Mechanical Engineering at U of Victoria, BC until 2001. He was founder and CEO of CryoFuels and CTO of Prometheus Energy. His talk is titled "Lessons Learned from a Pursuit of Sustainable and Renewable Energy."