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
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