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School of Polymer Science and Engineering

T.W. Bennett Symposium

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2025 Bennett Symposium

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 USM 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
  • USM Office of the Vice President for Research
  • USM College of Business
  • USM College of Arts and Sciences
  • USM School of Polymer Science and Engineering
  • School of Ocean Science and Engineering
  • USM School of Nursing

The Symposium is made possible thanks to the T.W. Bennett Endowment, established at USM 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.

Schedule (More Details Coming Soon)


Interdisciplinary Research

8:30 A.M.
WELCOME AND KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Jeffrey Wiggins

9:00 A.M.
SESSION I – FUNDAMENTAL SCIENCE WITH A PURPOSE 

11:00 A.M.
SESSION II – TRANSLATING RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE

12:00 P.M. Break for Lunch | Undergraduate Posters
 
1:00 P.M.
SESSION III – ACADEMICS WITH A PURPOSE 
 
2:00 P.M.
SESSION IV – BUSINESS WITH A PURPOSE 
 
3:30 P.M.
PANEL SESSION – TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AND IMPACT
  • Defining Translational Research for USM
  • Panel of Executive University Administrators
  • Industrial Executives
  • NSF Program Managers
4:30 P.M.
HIGHLIGHTS AND RECOGNITION OF STUDENTS / PITCH / ENGINEERING

 

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Thomas Bennett Information

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