Campus Life

Faculty and staff invited to panel on industry research collaborations

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State faculty and research staff are encouraged to attend an upcoming panel discussion on industry engagement and collaboration.

Hosted by the Penn State Corporate Engagement Center in partnership with the College of Engineering’s Office of Corporate and Industry Engagement, the webinar will take place from 1:30–3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7. It is the first in a series of panel discussions, known as Engage with Industry, that are to be organized by the Corporate Engagement Center.

The panel, consisting of industry representatives and faculty, will discuss approaches and tactics to engage industry in research, in the classroom and at special events. The panel also will share their expertise on introductory conversations when approaching a potential collaborator for the first time.

Attendees have the opportunity to suggest discussion topics and ask questions when they register for the event. Registration will close at 5 p.m. on April 5.

“We have many new engineering faculty members who are eager to develop research partnerships with industry,” said Priya Baboo, co-moderator for the event and senior director of corporate and industry engagement for the College of Engineering. “The panel will not only address some of the fundamental questions around engaging industry in research conversations, it also will provide perspectives from both industry members and faculty on what it takes to build a successful partnership.”

Representing industry, the panel will include Sam McLaughlin, external research manager for Volvo Group Truck Technology, and Irene J. Petrick, senior director of industrial innovation for Intel. Representing the academy, Timothy Simpson, interim department head of the Penn State School of Engineering Design, Technology, and Professional Programs, and Andrew F. Read, director of the Penn State Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, will round out the panel.

Melissa Erekson, co-moderator of the panel and assistant vice president of corporate engagement at Penn State, said she is looking forward to partnering with the College of Engineering on the inaugural event of the Engage with Industry series.

“This event will help further our shared mission of providing faculty and staff with the resources, expertise and connections to build a thriving community of corporate engagement across the University,” she said. “The panel discussion will be an opportunity for faculty and staff to gain insight directly from some of our most engaged corporate partners as well as faculty who have successfully built mutually beneficial relationships with industry.”

Contact Priya Baboo, pzb104@psu.edu, or Melissa Erekson, mpe5239@psu.edu, with any questions.

About the Corporate Engagement Center

The Penn State Corporate Engagement Center connects industry partners to strategic opportunities at Penn State for research and development, philanthropy and talent recruitment. Brought together in 2019, the center serves as a hub for industry and University relationships, supporting companies as they navigate resources of Penn State. 

The center is a joint initiative of the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and the Office of University Development, working in partnership with Penn State Career Services.

About the College of Engineering Office of Corporate and Industry Engagement

The Office of Corporate and Industry Engagement provides strategic leadership for all aspects of industry partnerships in the College of Engineering, including research development, philanthropy, professional development and career opportunities for students.

Last Updated April 1, 2021

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