2009
University Program

University Sessions

• Clean Energy Careers
• Clean Energy Startups: Perspectives from University Co-Founders
• University Research Center Directors

Entrepreneurs, established companies, and investors alike know that universities are a wellspring of the knowledge that fuels clean energy innovation. This year's Conference program features an expanded University Program that will take you behind the scenes of clean energy R&D at some of the nation's leading universities.

We begin with the Research Center Directors panel. The leaders of several prominent clean energy research centers will offer commentary on their collaborative research initiatives, technology transfer strategies, and how they are working to build bridges between academic discovery and industrial productivity.

Then, our University Spinout panel will showcase three entrepreneurial scientists whose stories illuminate the path from the laboratory bench to the marketplace. Don't miss this opportunity to hear first-hand from some of the researchers who are laying the foundations of our clean energy future.

We conclude on Friday afternoon with a discussion of Clean Energy Careers geared especially for students and career seekers. Experts in the workforce development field and business leaders will share their views on industry trends, skills demands and career development strategy.

The University Sessions are organized by Loren Walker, manager of the Advanced Energy Research Initiative at UMass Amherst, and Marina Dippel of UMass Dartmouth. The University of Massachusetts is a proud supporter of the Conference on Clean Energy.

Clean Energy Careers

Thinking about a career in the Clean Energy field? Wondering what's "hot" and what's only "hype" in this growing sector? Join the Career Panel to navigate careers in the Clean Energy sector. Experts in the workforce development field and industry leaders will share their views on industry trends, skills demands and career development strategy.

Attendance at this Panel ONLY is FREE for Students. However, you must pre-register by selecting the Student Career Panel session in the Registration Options section of the Registration Form.

Panelists

• Atkinson, Tom
  
• Chang, Judy
  
• Dippel, Marina A.
  
• Doyle, Kevin
  
• Reindorf, Wanda
  

 

Clean Energy Spinouts:
Perspectives from University Co-Founders

Some of today's "hottest" clean energy startups have emerged from university laboratories. Entrepreneurial faculty are an essential part of this innovation pipeline. This panel features the perspectives of three university faculty members who are also successful clean energy startup co-founders. The experiences of these three entrepreneurial scientists illuminate the path from the bench to the marketplace, and from research funding to Venture Capital and successful IPO. Their companies are leaders in three foundation energy technologies: biofuels, photovoltaics and batteries. Don't miss this opportunity to hear first-hand from a unique perspective that bridges between science and the commercial marketplace of our clean energy future.

Panelists

• Leschine, Susan
  
• Noble, Chris
  
• Sachs, Emanuel
  
• Chiang, Yet-Ming
  

University Research Center Directors

University research centers are a wellspring of clean energy innovation. Through collaborative research projects and technology transfer, university-based research centers accelerate development of clean energy technologies and build bridges between academic discovery and industrial productivity. Clean energy research centers also provide critical research-based training for the technicians, scientists, and engineers who will form the high-tech clean energy workforce of the future. This panel will feature commentary from directors of several prominent clean energy research centers that are leading the way to a clean energy future.

Panelists

• Miller, John R.
  
• Mukerjee, Sanjeev
  
• Quinlan, Patrick
  
• Walker, Loren