National Lab Day April 12-13 at UW

National Lab Day -- an event to learn about and explore opportunities for partnerships with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories -- is scheduled Wednesday and Thursday, April 12-13, at the University of Wyoming’s Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center. UW and DOE are co-hosts of the conference.

National Lab Day’s agenda and networking opportunities are designed to acquaint UW researchers, industries, small-business owners and students with DOE national laboratory scientists and leaders.

DOE maintains 17 preeminent national laboratories across the country, each providing distinctive scientific and technological capabilities that are often beyond the scope of academic and industrial institutions.

“National Lab Day is an opportunity for the UW community to connect with leaders and scientists from all 17 national labs and to explore opportunities for collaboration and discuss topics from energy to the environment to business and industry,” UW President Ed Seidel says. “Our national labs are the crown jewels of DOE and address the grand societal challenges of our time, including developing sustainable and diverse sources of energy, building a prosperous and equitable economy, and creating healthy environments and vibrant communities.”

UW’s DOE National Lab Day will provide an introduction to the national labs, with panel discussions on topics such as energy, environmental science and computing. Attendees will meet with lab directors and scientists; learn about the facilities and expertise available to support research, technology development and education; and discover how to engage with national lab scientists. Panels featuring national lab directors and industry leaders also are planned.

“As UW initiates implementation of its new strategic plan, National Lab Day will open new opportunities to enhance institutional excellence and student success,” says Parag Chitnis, UW’s vice president for research and economic development.

Among DOE speakers are Geri Richmond, undersecretary for science and innovation; Harriet Kung, deputy director for science programs in the Office of Science; Kathryn Huff, assistant secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy; and Brad Crabtree, assistant secretary for the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management.

Tours of UW’s research facilities -- the Engineering Education and Research Building and the High Bay Research Facility -- also will be offered to attendees.

“As we continue to aspire to Carnegie R1 status, events like National Lab Day help to demonstrate our commitment to research excellence across all disciplines and invite our campus community to explore opportunities for collaborations with our national labs,” Seidel adds.

Cost for the conference is $175, with a limited number of registrations taken through Friday, April 7.

For more information, call the UW Research and Economic Development Division at (307) 766-5353.