U of I Faculty to Present World-Changing Research at Inaugural POP Talks on Nov. 1

Each presenter will speak for fewer than five minutes, but those few short minutes will be jam-packed with information about the research, exploration and innovation that the researchers are conducting at U of I.

At the end of the event, students attending in person will have a chance to win two $1,000 scholarships. All attendees, in person and virtual, will be able to vote for their favorite talk.

Speakers include:

• Omi Hodwitz, Ph.D., who will explore the impact of prison education and its effects on recidivism.
• Jason Barnes, Ph.D., who will discuss his project with NASA to build an octocopter to explore the surface of Saturn’s moon Titan.
• Brian Johnson, Ph.D., who will talk about the tricky dynamics of the modern power grid.

• Shelley McGuire, Ph.D., who will present her work on the perfect human nutrition delivery system.
• Sydney Freeman Jr., Ph.D., who will talk about building a thriving community where belonging is paramount.
• Jaap Vos, Ph.D., who will ask pertinent questions about the future of Idaho based on research into population demographics and community planning.
• Renee Love, Ph.D., who will delve into her work with mammoths and other prehistoric mammals of the Ice Age.
• Ryan Long, Ph.D., who will talk about how his work with large mammals all over the world helps improve management of animals and human-animal interactions.

“It is important to celebrate this research and the faculty that lead these efforts,” said Chris Nomura, vice president for research and economic development who will serve as emcee for the event. “We have a diverse set of research expertise covering topics that demonstrate the wide-ranging impacts of the research and let a broad audience get to know some of our outstanding faculty.”