AGENDA

Welcome Address and Opening Remarks

• Karen Plaut, Executive Vice President for Research, Purdue
• Geri Richmond (pre-recorded), Under Secretary for Science and Innovation, Department of Energy
• Dan DeLaurentis, Vice President for Discovery Park District Institutes, Purdue

Opening remarks will highlight Purdue’s alignment with DOE’s national security mission and set the stage for collaborative opportunities.

Plenary Session 1: Unlocking Collaboration – Pathways to Partnership

This session will explore practical strategies for building and sustaining impactful partnerships with DOE National Labs.

• DOE National Labs: An Overview: Andrew Schwartz, Deputy Associate Director, Basic Energy Sciences, Department of Energy
• Redefining Partnerships: Ken Patel, Academic Partnerships Manager, Sandia National Laboratories (SNL)
• Strategies for Building and Sustaining National Lab Partnerships – A Panel Discussion:
  • Sean Hearne, President and CEO of the Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA)
  • Nikhilesh Chawla, Associate Dean for Engineering in Indianapolis, Ransburg Professor of Materials Engineering, Purdue
  • Eugene Spafford, CERIAS Executive Director Emeritus and Professor of Computer Science, Purdue
  • Moderated by Samar Kaukab, College of Engineering Chief Research Development Officer and Assistant Dean, Purdue

Plenary Session 2: Meeting the Labs’ Future Workforce Needs

This session addresses workforce needs through innovative education and partnership strategies.

• Educating for the Future – A Fireside Chat:
  • Patrick Wolfe, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Diversity, Purdue
  • Jenna Rickus, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning, Purdue
  • John Gates, Vice Provost for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, Purdue
  • Moderated by Marcey Hoover, Purdue
• Perspectives from NNSA and the National Labs – Lightning Talks:
  • Jahleel Hudson, Director of Technology and Partnerships Office, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
  • Bob Putnam, Chief Production Scientist and Program and Project Director, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)
  • Mukul Kumar, Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
  • Jonathan White, Director Energy Security and Resilience Program Office, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
  • Mason Rice, Director Cyber Resilience and Intelligence Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)

Lunch and Featured Address

• DOE National Laboratory and Federal R&D Landscape – Leland Cogliani, Senior Principal and Energy Practice Chair, Lewis & Burke Associates. Introduction by Preeti Sivasankar, Vice President for Research Innovation, Purdue

Dean’s Perspective and Introduction to Research Collaboration Showcases

• Science in Partnership: Advancing Research and Innovation with DOE Labs- Lucy Flesch, Frederick L. Hovde Dean of the College of Science, Purdue

Research Collaboration Showcases

Concurrent showcase tracks highlight Purdue and DOE National Labs’ collaborative research opportunities in critical areas:

• 1:00 – 2:30 pm Track A: Semiconductors and Quantum Technologies
• 1:00 – 2:30 pm Track B: Cybersecurity and AI
• 2:30 – 3:00 pm Break
• 3:00 – 4:30 pm Track A: Materials in Extreme Conditions and Energetics
• 3:00 – 4:30 pm Track B: Climate, Critical Infrastructure, and Nuclear Security

Each showcase begins with a Purdue presentation, followed by discussions with Lab representatives on mutual research interests and potential collaborations.

Talent Connections Showcase: Building a Pipeline for the DOE Workforce
(In Parallel with Research Showcases)

Panel discussions and lightning talks highlight Purdue’s workforce initiatives and Lab career opportunities.

• 1:00 – 1:45 pm: Preparing Students for the Research Workforce – A Panel Discussion:
  • Ed Bartlett, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, College of Science, Purdue
  • Amy Childress, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, Purdue
  • Scotty Secrist, Director of Undergraduate Scholars, Purdue
  • Moderated by Christopher Munt, Senior Director, Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, Purdue
• 1:45 – 2:30 pm: Scaling Education for Tomorrow’s Workforce – Lightning Talks:
  • Data Mine: Mark Ward, Professor of Statistics and Director of the Data Mine, Purdue
  • SCALE: Kerrie Douglas, Assistant Professor of Engineering Education and SCALE co-director, Purdue
  • Purdue Online: John Fassnacht, Principal Managing Director, Online Administration, College of Engineering & Polytechnic Institute, Purdue
  • Defense Workforce Development: Ken Callahan, Program Director for the Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC), Purdue
• 2:30 – 3:00 Break
• 3:00 – 4:00 pm: Lab Programs for Students and Early-Career Professionals – Panel Discussion:
  • Brad Beck, Workforce Program Director, Partnerships & Pipeline Office, Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • William Jenks, Lead, Core University Student Program, Office of Research Excellence, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
  • Jen O’Brien, University Student Program Coordinator, Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
  • Brandon Wells, Staff scientist, Materials Engineering Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
  • Moderated by Mary Ann Bobillo, Operations Manager, Discovery Park District Institutes & Centers, Purdue

Interviews and Career Discussions
DOE Lab representatives can hold interviews and career discussions with Purdue students.

Location: Stewart Center

Guided Tours of Purdue Research Facilities

Tours include:

• Birck Nanotechnology Center: Discover Purdue’s cutting-edge research in nanoelectronics, microelectronics, and materials science, where advancements are pushing the boundaries of technology for applications in national security and beyond.
• HARF (Hypersonics and Applied Research Facility) and Zucrow Labs: Explore Purdue’s world-class capabilities in hypersonics and propulsion. HARF enables pioneering hypersonics research, while Zucrow Labs— the largest academic propulsion lab in the world—drives innovations in aerospace and defense propulsion systems.