Representatives of some of the region’s leading companies got to know some of West Virginia University’s most innovative engineering graduate students and their research work at another in a series of networking events sponsored by the Linking Innovation, Industry and Commercialization program.

LIINC, which has been nominated for national recognition by the University Economic Development Association for its work encouraging relationships between WVU and the private sector, has been organizing and sponsoring the events that are designed to encourage conversation and collaboration between WVU faculty, students and the private sector. Tuesday night (Oct. 16) at the Waterfront Hotel, students from the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources had a turn to brief industry representatives about their innovations.

Companies represented at the event included Rice Energy, Chesapeake Energy, ShieldSmith, FirstEnergy, Ideal Innovations, Inc., NEW-BOLD Enterprises, Inc., and Allegheny Science & Technology.

CEMR students represented petroleum and natural gas engineering; chemical engineering; mechanical and aerospace engineering; and computer science and electrical engineering departments. Eight specific student projects were highlighted. The event provided a forum for three students to make brief presentations before a reception where industry representatives reviewed student posters outlining innovative research, and a sit-down dinner. Faculty advisors were also on hand for the interaction.

LIINC Manager Lindsay Emery explained that for industry, the events present an opportunity to meet the University’s leading faculty and their students, briefly review their cutting edge research and learn more about emerging techniques and technologies from WVU. Meanwhile, participating students and faculty are given the opportunity to network and learn about industry’s upcoming research needs and interests; job and internship possibilities and funding availability.

“On a broader level, these events are a productive chance for students to present their research to a professional, industry representative instead of the typical academic conference presentation,” she said. “They also learn how to present their research from the angle of market applicability and commercial potential.”
LIINC is supported through the WVU Research Office with a grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.

Tuesday’s event was the second CEMR graduate student dinner. Other LIINC dinners have been held for the Health Sciences Center, the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences and the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design.

-WVU-

10/17/12

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CONTACT: Lindsay Emery (304) 293 0391 lindsay.emery@mail.wvu.edu