Speaking Events

Building the Mining Workforce

FEATURING

Kray Luxbacher
Kray is an expert in atmospheric monitoring, ventilation system characterization, mine fire simulation and prevention, and mine risk analysis. She is the newly-named Gregory H. And Lisa S. Boyce Endowed Department Leadership Chair in Mining and Geological Engineering. 

Greg Boyce
A director at Newmont Mining and Marathon Oil, Greg has spent 40 years in the global energy and mining industries. His work includes 14 years in executive roles at Rio Tinto and 12 years at Peabody Energy, where he retired as executive chairman in 2015. He is also past chairman of the National Mining Association.

Video of Building the Mining Workforce Talk

Semiconductors & the Future of Manufacturing

FEATURING

Sammy Tin
Sammy holds the Patrick R. Taylor Endowed Chair in Materials Science and Engineering. Previously, he worked for 15 years at the Illinois Institute of Technology, most recently as the Charles and Lee Finkl Chair of Materials Engineering and the director of the Thermal Processing Technology Center.

Chris Rumer
The vice president of technology development at Intel Corporation, Chris has over 26 years of experience with the company. He has also served as the director of assembly engineering since 2011.

Video of Semiconductors & the Future of Manufacturing Talk

Additive Manufacturing on Earth and Beyond

The UA’s Additive Manufacturing Initiative is taking 3D printing to new levels. Researchers discuss how they are advancing on-demand 3D production technologies not just for industry but also for use in remote environments -- from mining and military operations to lunar and Martian bases.

FEATURING

Andrew Wessman­ – assistant professor of materials science and engineering and an expert in metallurgical aspects of additive manufacturing

Krishna Muralidharan – associate professor of materials science and engineering with joint appointments at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Applied Math

Video of Additive Manufacturing Talk

Keeping Space and Planets Safe

Tracking objects in near-earth space, such as hazardous asteroids and comets, is critical to lunar colonization and other public and private space exploration. University of Arizona collaborative cyberinfrastructures, including observational tools and artificial intelligence algorithms, are helping scientists untangle the congestion.

FEATURING

Roberto Furfaro – director of Space Situational Awareness Arizona as well as the Space Systems Engineering Laboratory, professor of systems and industrial engineering and of aerospace and mechanical engineering

Vishnu Reddy – associate professor of planetary sciences at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, astronomer and expert on asteroid behavior and movement

Video of Space and Planets Talk

Team Science in the Era of COVID-19 

The University of Arizona, through organizations such as the BIO5 Institute, is promoting and supporting team science. Using COVID-19 as a backdrop, UA Engineering researchers discuss the necessity and value of a collaborative approach in solving some of the world’s most complex problems. 

FEATURING

Jennifer Barton – BIO5 director, Thomas R. Brown Distinguished Chair, professor of biomedical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, biosystems engineering, optical sciences and medical imaging, and an expert in early cancer detection

Mark Van Dyke – associate dean of research, professor of biomedical engineering and an expert in biomaterials, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and entrepreneurial ecosystems

Video of COVID-19 Talk

Responsible Mining: Everyday Changes, Big Outcomes

Improvements in everyday processes can make a big difference in the bottom line. Consider, for example, that a 1% change in production instantly translates into hundreds of millions of dollars. Researchers present advancements in real-time sensing and big data analytics, among other technology, for every aspect of mining – from exploration and development to production, closure and reclamation.

FEATURING

Moe Momayez – David and Edith Lowell Chair in Mining and Geological Engineering, interim department head, associate professor, and energy and geosensing team leader at the Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources

Isabel Barton – assistant professor of mining and geological engineering, 2021 National Science Foundation Career Award winner, and an expert on geometallurgy

Video of Responsible Mining Talk

UA Goes Quantum – Qubit by Qubit

For most people, quantum technology is difficult to imagine. UA Engineering teams are at the forefront of discoveries that could lead to an unhackable Internet, super-precise GPS, and unprecedented computing speed. Learn about quantum possibilities, and realities, from researchers at the top of their game.

FEATURING

Bane Vasić – professor of electrical and computer engineering, mathematics, applied mathematics (Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs), and BIO5 Institute

Zheshen Zhang – assistant professor of materials science and engineering, and optical sciences

Video of Quantum Technology Talk

Fast Forwarding to Driverless Cars and Smart Traffic

See where transportation systems are headed as vehicles move toward automation. UA engineers are in the driver’s seat of research in technologies like traffic light control, connected vehicles and driverless cars, which could change transportation infrastructure as we know it.

FEATURING

Jonathan Sprinkle – Litton Industries John M. Leonis Distinguished Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University Distinguished Scholar, and interim director of the Transportation Research Institute

Yao-Jan Wu – associate professor of civil and architectural engineering and mechanics

Video of Smart Transportation Talk

Sustaining Tribal Communities

Learn how UA engineers are partnering with Native communities to combat extreme health disparities at the source. Top researchers in their fields discuss how desalination, solar power and other unique forms of off-grid technology are helping ensure access to life-sustaining water, energy and food.

FEATURING

Vicky Karanikola – assistant professor of chemical and environmental engineering, and Early Career Scholar

Kim Ogden – department chair and professor of chemical and environmental engineering, professor of biosystems engineering, and director of the UA Institute for Energy Solutions

Video of Sustaining Tribal Communities Talk

Speeding Toward Hypersonic Flight

Hear about the latest in wind tunnel capabilities and high-speed flight research at the university. Internationally recognized experts in aerothermodynamics and high-temperature materials explain the basic principles of hypersonic flight and why it is critical to national interest.

FEATURING

Erica Corral - associate professor of materials science and engineering, aerospace and mechanical engineering and BIO5 Institute; University Distinguished Scholar

Jesse Little - associate professor and associate department head for graduate studies in aerospace and mechanical engineering.

Video of Hypersonic Flight Talk