{"id":26,"date":"2026-02-18T19:38:50","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T19:38:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/researchidentity\/?page_id=26"},"modified":"2026-04-29T13:22:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T13:22:54","slug":"research-innovation-convening","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/researchidentity\/research-innovation-convening\/","title":{"rendered":"Research &amp; Innovation Convening"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">May 4, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Nebraska Innovation Campus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>All UNL faculty are invited to attend the 2026 Research and Innovation Convening at Nebraska Innovation Campus. The R&amp;I Convening will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Include flash talks from campus leaders and external partners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Showcase work emerging from the spring ideation workshops.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide space to explore interdisciplinary opportunities across the research identity areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Additional details will be added as they become available. We look forward to an exciting day of community and collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:27px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-base-2-color has-wdn-brand-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/events\/event_nuramp.php?EMSEventUUID=1712acf5-e783-4ffe-b04f-769a5c5d3739\" style=\"text-transform:uppercase\">Register now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:27px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Agenda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<style>\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Agenda \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.agenda {\n  padding: 1.5em 0;\n}\n\n.agenda-header {\n  margin-bottom: 2em;\n}\n\n.agenda-title {\n  margin-bottom: 0.25em;\n}\n\n.agenda-sub {\n  color: var(--dark-gray);\n  margin: 0;\n}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Session blocks \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.session-block {\n  margin-bottom: 2em;\n}\n\n.session-label {\n  display: flex;\n  align-items: center;\n  gap: 0.625em;\n  margin-bottom: 0.75em;\n}\n\n.session-pill {\n  font-weight: 500;\n  padding: 0.25em 0.75em;\n  border-radius: 99em;\n  white-space: nowrap;\n  margin: 0;\n  line-height: 1.6;\n}\n\n.pill-morning {\n  background: var(--bg-brand-alpha);\n  color: var(--inverse);\n}\n\n.pill-afternoon {\n  background: var(--bg-brand-eta);\n  color: var(--inverse);\n}\n\n.session-divider {\n  flex: 1;\n  height: 1px;\n  background: var(--b-lighter-gray);\n  margin: 0;\n  border: none;\n}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Rows \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.wp-block-columns.agenda-row {\n  border: 1px solid var(--b-lighter-gray);\n  border-radius: 0.625em;\n  overflow: hidden;\n  margin-bottom: 0.5em !important;\n  background: var(--bg-white);\n  gap: 0 !important;\n}\n\n.wp-block-columns.agenda-row.accent {\n  background: var(--bg-lightest-gray);\n}\n\n.wp-block-columns.agenda-row .wp-block-column.row-time {\n  flex: 0 0 8.75em !important;\n  padding: 0.875em 1em;\n  color: var(--dark-gray);\n  border-right: 1px solid var(--b-lighter-gray);\n  line-height: 1.4;\n}\n\n.wp-block-columns.agenda-row .wp-block-column.row-time p {\n  margin: 0;\n  color: var(--dark-gray);\n}\n\n.wp-block-columns.agenda-row .wp-block-column.row-content {\n  padding: 0.875em 1.125em;\n}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Event titles & tags \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\np.event-title {\n  font-weight: 500;\n  color: var(--heading);\n  margin: 0;\n  display: flex;\n  align-items: center;\n  flex-wrap: wrap;\n  gap: 0.5em;\n}\n\n.agenda-tag {\n  font-weight: 500;\n  padding: 0.125em 0.5em;\n  border-radius: 0.25em;\n  line-height: 1.6;\n}\n\n.tag-break {\n  background: var(--bg-lightest-gray);\n  color: var(--dark-gray);\n}\n\n.tag-panel {\n  background: var(--bg-brand-alpha);\n  color: var(--inverse);\n}\n\n.tag-breakout {\n  background: var(--bg-brand-eta);\n  color: var(--inverse);\n}\n\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Constrained layout max-width fix \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.is-layout-constrained > :where(:not(.alignleft):not(.alignright):not(.alignfull)) {\n  max-width: 100% !important;\n}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Responsive \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n@media (max-width: 35em) {\n  .wp-block-columns.agenda-row {\n    flex-direction: column !important;\n  }\n\n  .wp-block-columns.agenda-row .wp-block-column.row-time {\n    flex: 1 1 auto !important;\n    border-right: none;\n    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--b-lighter-gray);\n    padding-bottom: 0.5em;\n  }\n}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group agenda has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group agenda-header has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group session-block has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group session-label is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"session-pill pill-morning\">Morning session<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity session-divider\"\/>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns agenda-row accent is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-time is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>7:30\u20138:30 a.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"event-title\">Optional Breakfast and Networking<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns agenda-row is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-time is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>8:30\u20139:00 a.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"event-title\">Welcome and Opening Remarks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"speaker-name\"><strong>Jen Nelson<\/strong><br>Interim Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"speaker-name\"><strong>Kathy Ankerson<\/strong><br>Interim Chancellor<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns agenda-row accent is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-time is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>9:00\u20139:30 a.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"event-title\">Research Identity Area Flash Talks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Agriculture and Bioindustry&nbsp;<\/em><br><strong>Nicole Buan<\/strong>, Professor of Biochemistry<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Basic Mechanisms of Disease<\/em><br><strong>Jennifer Auchtung<\/strong>, Assistant Professor of Food Science and Technology<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Creative Engagement and Cultural Heritage<\/em><br><strong>Sandra Williams<\/strong>, Associate Professor, School of Art, Art History and Design<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Material Sciences and Energy<\/em><br><strong>Siamak&nbsp;Nejati<\/strong>, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Social, Behavioral, Educational, and Prevention Sciences&nbsp;<\/em><br><strong>Alex Mason<\/strong>, Professor of Child, Youth and Family Studies<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Transportation, Infrastructure, Robotics, and Autonomous Technologies<\/em>&nbsp;<br><strong>Milad&nbsp;Roohi<\/strong>, Assistant Professor, Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns agenda-row is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-time is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>9:30\u20139:45 a.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"event-title\">Break and Activity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns agenda-row is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-time is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>9:45\u201310:45 a.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"event-title\">Resource Mobilization Panel Discussion<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"speaker-name\"><strong>Tony Boccanfuso<\/strong><br>President and Executive Director, University Industry Demonstration Partnership<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brian Hastings<\/strong><br>President and Chief Executive Officer, University of Nebraska Foundation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Kei Koizumi<\/strong><br>Former Special Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Director for Policy, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"speaker-name\"><strong>Kathleen Lodl<\/strong><br>Associate Dean and State 4-H Program Administrator, Nebraska Extension; UNL lead for community engagement<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sen. Jason Prokop<\/strong><br>Nebraska Legislature, District 27<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns agenda-row accent is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-time is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>11:00 a.m.\u2013noon<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"event-title\">Breakout Activities<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>B1<\/strong>: Agriculture, AI, and Data-Enabled Research<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>B2<\/strong>: Agriculture and Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>B3<\/strong>: AI and Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A3<\/strong>: Cultural Heritage and Community Engagement<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>D<\/strong>: Human-Centered Innovation, Policy, and Ethics<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A2<\/strong>: Learning and Prevention Sciences and Workforce Development<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A1<\/strong>: Material and Energy Sciences, AI, and Computing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>C<\/strong>: Robotics, AI, and Smart Systems<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group session-block has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group session-label is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"session-pill pill-afternoon\">Afternoon session<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity session-divider\"\/>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns agenda-row is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-time is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Noon\u20131:15 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"event-title\">Lunch and Cross-cutting Areas of Distinction<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Artificial Intelligence&nbsp;<\/em><br><strong>Mark Stone<\/strong>, Professor of Biological Systems Engineering<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Data Management and Preservation&nbsp;<\/em><br><strong>Thomas&nbsp;Padilla<\/strong>, Associate Dean of University Libraries<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Economics and Business&nbsp;<\/em><br><strong>Emre Unlu<\/strong>, Associate Dean of Faculty and Research, Paul C. Burmeister College Professor of Investments and Professor of Finance<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Ethical, Legal, Social, and Policy Implications<\/em><br><strong>Ashley Votruba<\/strong>, Associate Professor of Psychology&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>High Performance Computing&nbsp;<\/em><br><strong>Hongfeng Yu<\/strong>, Professor, School of Computing, and Director, Holland Computing Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>STEM Learning\/Discipline-based Education Research&nbsp;<\/em><br><strong>Brian Couch<\/strong>, Susan J. Rosowski Professor of Biological Sciences, School of Biological Sciences&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns agenda-row accent is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-time is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>1:15\u20131:30 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"event-title\">Break<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns agenda-row is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-time is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>1:30\u20132:45 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"event-title\">External Partners Panel Discussion<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"speaker-name\"><strong>Alan L. Dostal<\/strong><br>Associate Director of Research, Nebraska Public Power District<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dan Hoffman<\/strong><br>Chief Executive Officer, Invest Nebraska<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Kim Morrow<\/strong><br>Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Lincoln<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jeff Raikes<\/strong><br>Co-founder, Raikes Foundation<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns agenda-row accent is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-time is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>2:45\u20133:00 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"event-title\">Break<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns agenda-row is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-time is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>3:00\u20134:15 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"event-title\">Breakout Activities<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>B1<\/strong>: Agriculture, AI, and Data-Enabled Research<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>B2<\/strong>: Agriculture and Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>B3<\/strong>: AI and Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A3<\/strong>: Cultural Heritage and Community Engagement<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>D<\/strong>: Human-Centered Innovation, Policy, and Ethics<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A2<\/strong>: Learning and Prevention Sciences and Workforce Development<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A1<\/strong>: Material and Energy Sciences, AI, and Computing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>C<\/strong>: Robotics, AI, and Smart Systems<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns agenda-row accent is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-time is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>4:15\u20134:30 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"event-title\">Break<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns agenda-row accent is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-time is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>4:30\u20135:00 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column row-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"event-title\">Resources Discussion<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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&amp;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\u20138:30 a.m. Optional [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-26","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/researchidentity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/researchidentity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/researchidentity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/researchidentity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/researchidentity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26"}],"version-history":[{"count":52,"href":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/researchidentity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":261,"href":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/researchidentity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26\/revisions\/261"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/researchidentity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}