Research & Innovation Convening

May 4, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Nebraska Innovation Campus

All UNL faculty are invited to attend the 2026 Research and Innovation Convening at Nebraska Innovation Campus. The R&I Convening will:

Additional details will be added as they become available. We look forward to an exciting day of community and collaboration.

Agenda

Morning session


7:30–8:30 a.m.

Optional Breakfast and Networking

8:30–9:00 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Jen Nelson
Interim Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation

Kathy Ankerson
Interim Chancellor

9:00–9:30 a.m.

Research Identity Area Flash Talks

Agriculture and Bioindustry 
Nicole Buan, Professor of Biochemistry

Basic Mechanisms of Disease
Jennifer Auchtung, Assistant Professor of Food Science and Technology

Creative Engagement and Cultural Heritage
Sandra Williams, Associate Professor, School of Art, Art History and Design

Material Sciences and Energy
Siamak Nejati, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 

Social, Behavioral, Educational, and Prevention Sciences 
Alex Mason, Professor of Child, Youth and Family Studies

Transportation, Infrastructure, Robotics, and Autonomous Technologies 
Milad Roohi, Assistant Professor, Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction

9:30–9:45 a.m.

Break and Activity

9:45–10:45 a.m.

Resource Mobilization Panel Discussion

Tony Boccanfuso
President and Executive Director, University Industry Demonstration Partnership

Brian Hastings
President and Chief Executive Officer, University of Nebraska Foundation

Kei Koizumi
Former Special Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Director for Policy, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

Kathleen Lodl
Associate Dean and State 4-H Program Administrator, Nebraska Extension; UNL lead for community engagement

Sen. Jason Prokop
Nebraska Legislature, District 27

11:00 a.m.–noon

Breakout Activities

B1: Agriculture, AI, and Data-Enabled Research

B2: Agriculture and Health

B3: AI and Health

A3: Cultural Heritage and Community Engagement

D: Human-Centered Innovation, Policy, and Ethics

A2: Learning and Prevention Sciences and Workforce Development

A1: Material and Energy Sciences, AI, and Computing

C: Robotics, AI, and Smart Systems

Afternoon session


Noon–1:15 p.m.

Lunch and Cross-cutting Areas of Distinction

Artificial Intelligence 
Mark Stone, Professor of Biological Systems Engineering

Data Management and Preservation 
Thomas Padilla, Associate Dean of University Libraries

Economics and Business 
Emre Unlu, Associate Dean of Faculty and Research, Paul C. Burmeister College Professor of Investments and Professor of Finance

Ethical, Legal, Social, and Policy Implications
Ashley Votruba, Associate Professor of Psychology 

High Performance Computing 
Hongfeng Yu, Professor, School of Computing, and Director, Holland Computing Center

STEM Learning/Discipline-based Education Research 
Brian Couch, Susan J. Rosowski Professor of Biological Sciences, School of Biological Sciences 

1:15–1:30 p.m.

Break

1:30–2:45 p.m.

External Partners Panel Discussion

Alan L. Dostal
Associate Director of Research, Nebraska Public Power District

Dan Hoffman
Chief Executive Officer, Invest Nebraska

Kim Morrow
Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Lincoln

Jeff Raikes
Co-founder, Raikes Foundation

2:45–3:00 p.m.

Break

3:00–4:15 p.m.

Breakout Activities

B1: Agriculture, AI, and Data-Enabled Research

B2: Agriculture and Health

B3: AI and Health

A3: Cultural Heritage and Community Engagement

D: Human-Centered Innovation, Policy, and Ethics

A2: Learning and Prevention Sciences and Workforce Development

A1: Material and Energy Sciences, AI, and Computing

C: Robotics, AI, and Smart Systems

4:15–4:30 p.m.

Break

4:30–5:00 p.m.

Resources Discussion