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:
- Include flash talks from campus leaders and external partners.
- Showcase work emerging from the spring ideation workshops.
- Provide space to explore interdisciplinary opportunities across the research identity areas.
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
