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School of Polymer Science and Engineering

T.W. Bennett Symposium

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Fundamental Research with a Purpose
April 24, 2025

The Symposium will host notable speakers from academia, industry, and national labs with the theme of "Fundamental Research with a Purpose". Dr. Jeffrey Wiggins, polymer science and engineering professor at ŷֳ is the 2024-2025 Bennett Distinguished Professor and the Keynote Speaker. 

Other high-level session themes (along with “Fundamental Research with a Purpose”) include:

  • Undergraduate Research with a Purpose
  • Academics with a Purpose
  • Business with a Purpose

Additional participating institutions and featured speakers include representatives from the

  • National Science Foundation
  • Boeing Research and Technology
  • Air Force Research Laboratory
  • University of Arizona
  • Jackson State University
  • Gulf Blue Navigator
  • ŷֳ Office of the Vice President for Research
  • ŷֳ College of Business
  • ŷֳ College of Arts and Sciences
  • ŷֳ School of Polymer Science and Engineering
  • School of Ocean Science and Engineering
  • ŷֳ School of Nursing

The Symposium is made possible thanks to the T.W. Bennett Endowment, established at ŷֳ by Mr. and Mrs. T.W. Bennett, Sr. in honor of their son and his love for the sciences. Earnings from the endowment are used to support research activities of the Bennett Professor and to sponsor the biennial T.W. Bennett Symposium.

www.usm.edu/news/2023/release/bennett-symposium.php

Download Schedule

Interdisciplinary Research

7:00 - 8:00 A.M.
REGISTRATION/COFFEE
- Trent Lott Lobby

8:00 - 9:00 A.M.
WELCOME AND PLENARY PRESENTATION
Jeffrey Wiggins - Trent Lott Ball Room

9:00 - 10:30 A.M.
SESSION I – Maximizing Impact of Fundamental Science | FUNDAMENTAL SCIENCE WITH A PURPOSE  - Trent Lott Ball Room

10:30 - 11:00 A.M. Refreshment Break and Poster Session - Trent Lott Lobby

11:00 - 12:00 P.M.
SESSION II – Inspiring Bridges to Accelerate Research Translation (Panel) | TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AND IMPACT
- Trent Lott Ball Room

12:00 P.M. Break for Lunch | Undergraduate Posters
 
1:00 -2:30 P.M.
SESSION III – Moving Discovery to the Market | ACADEMICS WITH A PURPOSE - Trent Lott Ball Room
 
2:30 - 3:00 P.M. Refreshment Break and Poster Session - Trent Lott Lobby
 
3:00 - 4:30 P.M.
SESSION IV – Community and Market Insights to Advance Discovery | TRANSLATING RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE Trent Lott Ball Room
 
4:30 P.M.  Break and Travel to ŷֳ Accelerator
5:30 - 7:30 P.M.
TW Bennett Symposium Networking Event | Research with a Purpose Reception - ŷֳ Accelerator

 

2025 Bennet Symposium Banner


Thomas Bennett Information

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School of Polymer Science and Engineering

202 Thames Polymer Science Research Center

Campus Hattiesburg

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polymersFREEMississippi

Phone
601.266.4868