2021 US Frontiers of Engineering Symposium

At-a-Glance

**This meeting was rescheduled from September 2020**

The 2020 US Frontiers of Engineering was held virtually, February 25-26, 2021. About 100 outstanding early career engineers met for an intensive 2-1/2 day symposium to discuss cutting-edge developments in four areas: Food for Thought: The AgRevolution Shaping What We (Will) Eat; Next-generation Energy Systems Integration; Engineering Innovation in Women’s Health; Plastics: Pollution Challenges and Innovations. The goal of the Frontiers of Engineering program is to bring together engineers from all engineering disciplines and from industry, universities, and federal labs to facilitate cross-disciplinary exchange and promote the transfer of new techniques and approaches across fields in order to sustain and build US innovative capacity. 

We are grateful to our sponsors for their support. 

The program is here.

LIST OF SESSIONS

Chair:  Jennifer West, Duke University

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The AgRevolution Shaping What We (Will) Eat
Session Co-chairs: Lily Cheung, Georgia Tech, and Andrew Coughlin, Syngenta Corp.
Abstract

10,000 Years of Engineering Plant Genomes: The Essential Role of Genetic Variation in Crop Breeding
Aaron Hummel, Pairwise Plants

Peptides as a New Class of Bioinsecticide
Kyle Schneider, Vestaron Corp.
Abstract

Safety Oversight for the Future of Food
Patrick Cournoyer, US FDA
Abstract

Robots as Farmers: Automation in Precision Agriculture
Sierra Young, North Carolina State University
Abstract

NEXT-GENERATION ENERGY SYSTEMS INTEGRATION
Session Co-chairs: Jennifer Kurtz, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Javad Lavaei, University of California, Berkeley
Abstract

Enabling the Operation of Future Grids Using New Tools in Control Theory and AI
Johanna Mathieu, University of Michigan
Abstract

Powerful Water and Thirsty Energy: A Systems Challenge
Noel Bakhtian, Idaho National Laboratory
Abstract

Enabling Impactful Residential-scale Energy Systems for Native American Communities
Suzanne Singer, Native Renewables

ENGINEERING INNOVATION IN WOMEN’S HEALTH
Session Co-chairs:  Kristin Myers, Columbia University, and Melissa Skala, Morgridge Institute and University of Wisconsin-Madison
Abstract

A Woman-centered Approach for Cervical Cancer Prevention
Mercy Asiedu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract

Growth and Remodeling of the Female Reproductive System
Kristin Miller, Tulane University
Abstract

Functional and Tunable Biomimetics for Reproductive Tissue Engineering
Ariella Shikanov, University of Michigan
Abstract

Menstruation as a Natural Biopsy—Building a Database to Fuel Early Diagnosis of Reproductive Disorders
Ridhi Tariyal, NextGen Jane
Abstract

PLASTICS: POLLUTION CHALLENGES AND INNOVATIONS
Session Co-chairs:  Anela Choy, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Jenna Jambeck, University of Georgia
Abstract

Plastics and Transforming Ecosystems Science into Accountability
Jeremy Conkle, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi
Abstract

Challenges in Plastic Circularity: The Necessity for Environmental Degradability as a Design Metric
Desiree Plata, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
Abstract

Empowering Businesses to Restore Nature’s Balance
Svanika Balasubramian, rePurpose
Abstract

Post Meeting
Details
February
25
2021
to
February
26
2021
July 20, 2021 AT 06:56 AM
Virtual