The Division of Research expects to host about 100 participants for a half-day research workshop, from noon to 3 p.m. March 27 in the Public Service Programs Center. The event is designed to capitalize on momentum created by the major statewide research symposium held on campus earlier this month.
Binghamton faculty, regional industry representatives and community partners are being invited to a kick-off luncheon, followed by four concurrent cross-disciplinary breakout sessions.
Topic areas are:
- Environmental systems–The Center for Integrated Watershed Studies-A core multidisciplinary group of faculty, including biologists, geologists and geographers will explore with their outside partners how best to find funding to bring scientific data collection and model development to bear to manage and protect one of our most important and limited natural resources, fresh water. Moderator: Dale Madison.
- Health systems–An exploration of cross-disciplinary perspectives on health care systems, practice and research. Discussions will be aimed at incubating sponsored project proposals that expand the scope of or even defy traditional assumptions about who belongs at the table when it comes to health systems research. (K. Hari Srihari, for example, a Binghamton University professor of systems science and industrial engineering best known for his work at the helm of Electronics Manufacturing Research and Services, is working with United Health Systems to improve patient turn-around time in emergency rooms.) Moderator: Ken McLeod
- Sensors–With recent advances in MEMS and nanotechnology, sensor research and development activities are gaining importance and are getting very high prioritization nationally and internationally. Sensors offer the promise of artificial organs, better medical diagnostic instrumentation, safer vehicles and structures, improved information gathering, and advanced warning of potential chemical and biological threats. Sensor advances will rely heavily on small-scale structures, and research in that area is highly challenging and multi-disciplinary. Moderator: Bahgat Sammakia
- Education across the disciplines–It’s a new era in education. This group will explore educational program innovation through interdisciplinary collaborations. Discussion will focus on potential sponsored projects related to the improvement of K-12, undergraduate and graduate science, and math and technology education. Topics to be explored include the preparation of educators, educational outreach, and improvements in pedagogy. Moderator: Ernest Rose.
It is expected that the March 27 event will act as a springboard for further such sessions, and that particular areas of interest will be defined by faculty feedback. Ideas for future sessions should be relayed to Susan E. Barker, director of research advancement and communications, at 777-2640 or sbarker@binghamton.edu.