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NSF Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine: Connecting Research to Practice
Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:25pm - 3:55pm MST
Great Hall
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The Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine (SWSIE)  envisions a thriving future for the Southwest as a hub of green innovation, with industries and communities supported by clean water and renewable energy with STEM-enabled jobs and economic growth accessible to all.

Full Abstract:
University of Utah along with six core academic partners are part of a multi-institutional enterprise to confront the climate challenges facing the Southwest and spur economic development in the region. The Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine (SWSIE) addresses sustainability-driven innovations with an integrated, systems-level approach to equitably transform water security, renewable energy, and net carbon emissions and use of carbon directly captured from the atmosphere.

The mission is to transform the Southwest region into a national innovation hub, leading not only to positive climate impacts, but also to high wage jobs, economic growth, and technology-based startups and venture capital investments. The SWSIE Team envisions a thriving future for the Southwest as a hub of green innovation, with industries and communities supported by clean water and renewable energy with STEM-enabled jobs and economic growth accessible to all. To unleash this potential, SWSIE is building an ecosystem of researchers, innovators, educators, and decision-makers to harness STEM innovation and grow a workforce pipeline for the net zero economy.

This presentation will provide an overview of the innovation of SWSIE, with a focus on water. The presentation will discuss SWSIE strength in translation of research to commercialization and connecting academia with industry. This includes a roadmap for success, workforce development, and more. Further, the presentation will provide examples of projects and future initiatives. Core academic partners in SWSIE are University of Utah, Arizona State University, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the Desert Research Institute, the Water Research Foundation, SciTech Institute and Maricopa Community Colleges.
Speakers
avatar for Brenda Bowen

Brenda Bowen

Professor of Geology and Geophysics and Chair of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Utah
Brenda B. Bowen is a Professor of Geology and Geophysics and Chair of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Utah. She works to facilitate interdisciplinary sustainability research, practice, and academic programs that address critical issues related to understanding global change... Read More →
avatar for Meghan Dovick

Meghan Dovick

Director of the Professional Science Masters Program, University of Utah
Meghan Dovick is the Director of the Professional Science Masters program at the University of Utah, bringing over fifteen years of experience in higher education. Her roles have spanned course creation, instruction, research, and administration. Meghan’s expertise lies at the intersection... Read More →
avatar for Sarah Hinners

Sarah Hinners

Director of Conservation and Research, Red Butte Garden
Sarah Jack Hinners, PHD, LFA is the Director of Conservation and Research at Red Butte Garden and Arboretum at the University of Utah since 2023. An urban and landscape ecologist, she has a BA in Geography and Environmental Studies from McGill University and a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary... Read More →
avatar for Marian Rice

Marian Rice

Associate Director, University of Utah
Marian Rice is the Associate Director for the Energy Futures Research Engine (Energy Futures) and PEAK Water Sustainability Engine (PEAK Water). An experienced high-level administrator, Marian previously served as the Deputy Director of the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities... Read More →
Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:25pm - 3:55pm MST
Great Hall
  Plenary Session

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