Research Fair is Nov. 6 to 8

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Courtesy image

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Fall 2018 Research Fair is Nov. 6-8. The event is open to students, faculty and staff.

Organized by Nebraska’s Office of Research and Economic Development the biannual event celebrates research, creativity and scholarly activity on campus.

It will feature faculty accomplishments, educational workshops on how to partner with foundations and industry, and explorations of a variety of research interests. A schedule of events is below. Access the complete schedule, along with registration information, on the Research Fair website.

Research Fair partners include the offices of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Studies, NUtech Ventures, Industry Relations, Association for Women in Science, Center for Biotechnology, and Illumina.

For more information about the event, contact Lisa Maupin, events and outreach manager, at 402-472-0030.

2018 Fall Research Fair schedule
Nov. 6

  • Faculty Recognition Breakfast, 8 to 9:30 a.m., Nebraska Union, Centennial Room. The annual celebration of faculty achievements features keynote speaker Susan Fitzpatrick, president of the James S. McDonnell Foundation.
  • Identify Your Unique Professional Value, 10 a.m. to noon, Nebraska Union, Colonial Rooms A and B. This workshop is geared toward graduate students, postdocs and faculty. The guest speaker is Diane Klotz, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute.
  • Foundations 101, 10 to 11 a.m., Nebraska Union, Regency Suite. The facilitator is Tamela Spicer, program manager with the Institute for Foundation and Donor Learning at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, Grand Valley State University.
  • Faculty Panel: Collaborating with Private Foundations, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nebraska Union, Regency Suite. Learn from four faculty colleagues who have successfully partnered with foundations. Gary Kebbel, professor of journalism and former journalism program director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, is the moderator. Panelists are Nancy Shank, University of Nebraska Public Policy Center; Kathleen Lodl, Nebraska Extension; Kwame Dawes, English; and Daniel Tannenbaum, economics.
  • Grant Writing for Private Foundations Workshop, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Nebraska Union, Regency Suite. Spicer will guide this session.
  • Science Slam: Postdoc Edition, 2:30 to 4 p.m., Nebraska Union Auditorium. Eight postdocs will give informal, five-minute talks about their research, with the goal of clearly communicating the impact of their work. The event is open to the public, and registration is not required.
  • Nebraska Summer Research Program Faculty Information Session, 4 to 5 p.m., Nebraska Union, Heritage Room. Learn how Nebraska faculty secured funding for research experiences for undergraduates sites, supported by the National Science Foundation, and other summer research programs. Panelists are Donald Becker, biochemistry, Redox Biology Research Experience for Undergraduates; Martha Mamo, agronomy and horticulture, Applied Plant Systems Summer Research Opportunity Program; and Mark Griep, chemistry, Chemical Assembly Research Experience for Undergraduates.
  • NUtech Ventures Innovator Celebration, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center, Banquet Hall. Contact Joy Eakin, NUtech operations manager, for more information.


Nov. 7
  • Team Science: The Toolbox Project Workshop, 9 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Nebraska Union, Regency Suite. Register for only one session. Researchers seeking to improve communication and build high-performing teams for large, interdisciplinary research projects are urged to attend. The facilitator is Michael O’Rourke, the environmental philosophy and communications expert who developed The Toolbox Project.
  • Association for Women in Science Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wick Alumni Center. Susan Weller, director of the University of Nebraska State Museum, is presenting the keynote, “Reflections on Changing Leadership Opportunities in Scientific Societies.” Registration is required.
  • Fall Nebraska Lecture with Eileen Hebets, professor of biological sciences: “Using Arachnids to Inspire D.R.E.A.M.S.,” 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Nebraska Union, Auditorium. The lecture is free and open to the public, with a reception following.


Nov. 8
  • Sequencing Workshop, 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m, Cather Dining Complex, Red Cloud Rooms B and C. Learn about the latest technology and practices for gene sequencing.
  • One-on-one consultations, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nebraska Innovation Campus. Faculty interested in pursuing National Institutes of Health Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer funding, known as SBIR/STTR, can consult with federal program officers and representatives from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the Nebraska Business Development Center. To schedule an appointment, contact Ryan Anderson, director of industry relations, or Suzanne Spiehs, administrative coordinator.
  • SBIR/STTR Panel: U.S. Department of Agriculture Program Officer Perspectives and Resources for Nebraska Applicants and Awardees, 10 to 11:15 a.m., NIC Conference Center, Banquet Hall. Panelists are Jodi Williams, USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture; Nisha Avey, Nebraska Department of Economic Development; Wei Jing, Nebraska Business Development Center; and Ryan Anderson, Industry Relations.
  • SBIR/STTR Success Stories: Nebraska Company Awardees and their UNL Faculty Partners, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., NIC Conference Center, banquet hall. Panelists are Jon Anderson, director of research and development, biotechnology, LI-COR Biosciences; Chris Calkins, animal science and founder of Goldfinch Solutions; Michael Sealy, mechanical and materials engineering and founder of Surface Integrity.
  • November Faculty Connector: Faculty Research and Creative Activity Slam, 4 to 6 p.m., Wick Alumni Center. Attendees will vote on their favorite presentation. The winner of the slam will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., to present his or her research or creative activity.


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