National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges Phoenix Summit
The historic Arizona Biltmore hotel – with a design influenced by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright – was the site of the National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges Phoenix Summit, presented by ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering on April 8 and 9.
Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering Dean Deirdre Meldrum chaired the Southwest regional National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges Phoenix Summit, which attracted close to 600 participants, including business and education leaders, engineers, scientists, teachers and university students.
ASU President Michael M. Crow opened the Summit, telling the crowd that technological creativity can fulfill its promise of improving the quality of life around the globe only in concert with progressive changes in political, social and marketplace cultures.
The main presentation on the theme of engineering better medicines featured Leland Hartwell, a Nobel Prize-winning medical research leader, and president and director of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
The Summit participants spanned generations, from young college students to veteran engineers, researchers and education leaders.
Young students came to the Summit to hear about the challenges the nation has waiting for them as they embark on careers in science and engineering.
Students participated in the Summit’s Design Competition. They exhibited posters illustrating engineering projects and research that respond to technological goals outlined in the National Academy of Engineering’s Grand Challenges.
A panel on environmental and energy sustainability goals included (left to right): Sander van der Leeuw, professor and director of ASU’s School of Human Evolution and Social Change; Jason Elwood, vice president of Operations for Raytheon Missile Systems; Lisa Krueger, vice president of Sustainable Development for First Solar and chair of the Solar Energy Industries Association Environmental, Health & Safety Committee; professor Terri Fiez, head of the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Oregon State University; and Pamela Matson, Chester Naramore Dean of the School of Earth Sciences at Stanford University.
ASU President Michael M. Crow addressed several hundred guests at the Summit dinner. His talk focused on the collaborative research efforts and innovative approaches to education that are needed to address the many of the problems the world will face in coming decades.
Among speakers on the topic of advancing personalized learning methods was Norman Fortenberry, director of Center for the Advancement of Scholarship on Engineering Education of the National Academy of Engineering.
Summit participants had opportunities to talk with featured speakers in smaller sessions. Chris Uhlik (left), engineering director at Google, Inc. and Oregon State University professor Terri Fiez (at far right) participated in a small session on energy and sustainability issues.
Business representatives participating in the Summit’s engineering career fair talked with students who exhibited posters describing their research projects.
Kristina M. Johnson, Under Secretary for Energy with the U.S. Department of Energy, was the featured speaker for the session on renewable-energy challenges.
Rick Shangraw, ASU Vice President of Research and Economic Affairs, addressed the Summit audience on the university’s commitment to the goals set forth in the National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges.