UF summit to explore how engineering can create innovation economy

September 14, 2011

WHAT: Engineering innovation summit featuring keynote speakers and panelists discussing the key role colleges of engineering play in building an innovation economy.

WHO: Leaders from academia, government, industry, including Thomas Peterson, assistant director of the National Science Foundation Directorate for Engineering; Chris Malachowsky, co-founder, fellow and senior vice president of research of NVIDIA; Yangbin Wang, CEO of Vobile Inc.; Paul Suchoski, chairman of Audigence Inc.; Jamie Grooms, founder, Regeneration Technologies and AxoGen; and Florida legislative leaders.

WHEN: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16

WHERE: Emerson Alumni Hall

CONTACT: Megan Mallicoat, College of Engineering director of communications, 352-392-0984 or mmallicoat@eng.ufl.edu

SCHEDULE:
8 – 8:30 a.m. Registration

8:30 – 8:45 a.m. Welcome
Cammy Abernathy, dean, College of Engineering

8:45 – 9 a.m. UF Innovation Initiatives
Bernie Machen, president, University of Florida

9 – 9:15 a.m. Innovation: The Cornerstone of Florida’s New Economy
Jack Sullivan, president/CEO, Florida Research Consortium

9:15 – 10 a.m. Public/Private Innovation Partnerships: Driving
Economic Impact

Thomas Peterson, assistant director for the Engineering Directorate,
National Science Foundation (NSF)

10 – 10:15 a.m. Break

10:15 – 11:30 a.m. Panel: Public Policy and Florida’s Innovation Economy
Introduction by Rep. Seth McKeel
Facilitator: Jack Sullivan, president/CEO, Florida Research Consortium

11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Lunch and Panel: Education and Talent as Driving Forces of Innovation Ecosystems (by invitation only)
Facilitator: Erik Sander, director, University of Florida Engineering
Innovation Institute


1:00 – 2:15 p.m. Engineering as a Foundation of the Innovation Economy
Facilitator: Win Phillips, senior vice president & COO, University of Florida


2:15 – 2:30 p.m. Closing comments
Cammy Abernathy, dean, College of Engineering