Faculty and students are invited to present at the virtual symposium, presented by RM2N and WiSys.

Wisconsin business leaders and university faculty, staff and students are invited to attend “Innovation in Materials and Manufacturing—Responding to the COVID Crisis,” presented by the Regional Materials and Manufacturing Network (RM2N) and WiSys, on Feb. 23-25 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. each day.

The energizing three-part virtual symposium will feature stories of innovation in the fields, faculty networking and student research presentations. Attendees should register for this free event by Feb. 17 at wisys.org/materials.

“Innovation has always been important in the fields of materials science and manufacturing, but during the pandemic, it has been critical,” said RM2N Co-Director and UW-Platteville Associate Professor Dr. Gokul Gopalakrishnan. “This symposium will give us a chance to reflect on how Wisconsin businesses and universities responded to the challenge and learn from our shared successes and missteps.”

Each day of the symposium will feature a manageable two-hour block of content including:

• Day 1: “Materials to the Rescue.” Attendees will learn how business and universities responded to the pandemic with innovation, such as repurposing their resources to make personal protective equipment for their communities.

• Day 2: “Student Showcase.” Undergraduate researchers will take center stage, as students working in the field of materials science and manufacturing present research or innovative projects, network and compete for cash prizes.

• Day 3: “Teaching During the Pandemic.” The final day of the symposium will encourage university faculty and staff to collaborate and share best practices for leading a classroom or lab during the era of remote learning.

“During the past year, we’ve seen the UW System’s strength in the materials sciences shine. Those in the field responded to the pandemic with tangible solutions, including adapting the resources at their disposal to create much-needed personal protective equipment,” said WiSys President Arjun Sanga. “WiSys is excited to partner with RM2N to bring together the best and brightest in materials and manufacturing from across the state to foster collaboration and help us all get back to normal quicker.”

Faculty & Students Invited to Present
Students are invited to orally present their research or innovative project in the fields of materials science of manufacturing on day two of the symposium. Students can win cash prizes.

University faculty and staff are invited to give short, discussion-oriented presentations on the topic of teaching in the pandemic on day three of the symposium.

Space is limited for both speaking opportunities. Applications to present are due by Feb. 12.

To learn more about the virtual symposium, to apply to present or to register to attend, visit wisys.org/materials.

About RM2N
The Regional Materials and Manufacturing Network (RM2N) is a collaborative effort among stakeholders in the greater Wisconsin region to increase opportunity, efficiency and access to important resources. RM2N provides a portal for sharing ideas, data and tools among materials researchers and industry.

About WiSys 
WiSys is a nonprofit organization that works with faculty, staff, students and alumni of the UW System to facilitate cutting-edge research programs, develop and commercialize discoveries, and foster a spirit of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking across the state.