Work with thought leaders and academic experts in energy

Michael Hickner is an accomplished researcher and educator with an extensive background in chemical engineering. He received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2003. For the past 15 years, Hickner has been a Rogerson Endowed Professor at Michigan State University, where he has conducted highly acclaimed research in the areas of sustainable energy technologies and nanomanufacturing. Previous to this appointment, Hickner was a Senior Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories, where he conducted post-doctoral research in the fields of materials science, nanotechnology, and catalysis. Given his diverse skill set and supportive leadership style, Michigan State students look to Hickner to provide them with the guidance, mentorship, and educational tools necessary to excel in the field of chemical engineering.

Chemical engineering expertise focused on polymer-based material synthesis, modification, and application and experimental and computational transport (momentum, heat, and mass) modeling. Specialties: material synthesis and characterization: bulk and surface initiated polymerization, stimuli responsive polymers, renewable polymers (bioplastics), lung simulation, transport modeling, nano- and micro-particles, and surface modification FTIR, XPS/ESCA, TGA, DSC, GPC, CA, AFM, T/SEM, LS

Jim Samuel is an Associate Professor of Practice and Executive Director of the Informatics Program at the Bloustein School. He is an information and artificial intelligence (AI) scientist, with significant industry experience in finance, technology, entrepreneurship and data analytics. Dr. Samuel’s primary research covers human intelligence and artificial intelligences interaction and information philosophy.  Dr. Samuel’s applied research focuses on the optimal use of big data and smart data driven AI applications, textual analytics, natural language processing and artificially intelligent public opinion informatics. His expertise extends to socioeconomic implications of AI, applied machine learning, social media analytics, AI education and AI bias. Dr. Samuel completed his Ph.D. from the Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College – City University of New York, and he also has M.Arch and M.B.A (International Finance) degrees.  Dr. Samuel has worked with large multinational financial services corporations, and advises businesses and organizations on data analytics and AI driven value creation strategies. He is passionate about research driven thought leadership in AI, information philosophy, analytics and informatics. 

Dr. Ryan Howell is an Associate Professor at San Francisco State University. His research interests include the psychology of goals and how people pursue and achieve them. Dr. Howell received his PhD in Social/Personality Psychology from the University of California, Riverside in 2005.

Martin Dietrich Brauch is a Lead Researcher at CCSI. He leads economic and legal research, training, and advisory work, with a focus on legal and policy frameworks and practices for sustainable investment to achieve climate change mitigation and adaptation goals—including through decarbonization and a just transition to net-zero emission energy systems and economies—along with other SDGs.

James C. Kaufman is a Professor of Educational Psychology at the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut. He has written or edited more than 50 books. These include: the recently published *The Creativity Advantage* (Cambridge); the forthcoming *Lessons in Creativity from Musical Theatre Characters* (with Dana P. Rowe; Routledge); two editions of *Cambridge Handbook of Creativity* (with Robert J. Sternberg) and five other Cambridge Handbooks; two editions of *Creativity 101* (Springer); and a book on terrible baseball pitchers with his father and a book on pseudoscience with his wife. James has developed many theories, most notably the Four C’s (with Ron Beghetto). He has developed several self-report measures of creativity and is currently focusing on positive outcomes of creativity. James has won many awards, including Mensa’s research award, the Torrance Award from the National Association for Gifted Children, the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children’s International Creativity Award, and APA’s Berlyne, Arnheim, and Farnsworth awards. He co-founded two major journals, *Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts* and *Psychology of Popular Media Culture* and is the current Senior Associate Editor for *Creativity Research Journal*. He has tested Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s creativity on CNN; written the book and lyrics to the musical *Discovering Magenta* (which played NYC and has a cast album); and appeared onscreen, complete with white lab coat, in the comic book documentary *Independents*.

PhD. candidate at Colorado State University working at the Chemical Energy Conversion Laboratory. My research focus is on multidimensional modeling and control of End-Gas Autoignition (EGAI) in Spark Ignited Natural Gas engines. The goal of the research is to achieve Diesel-like efficiencies by using controlled end-gas autoignition. A Cooperative Fuel Research (CFR) engine and a 15-L Cummins engine have been used for this purpose having a mix of experimental, 1D, and 3D modeling work to study the fuel-engine interactions that lead to EGAI.

With over 22 years of industry and academic experience in SoftMatter, colloids, and complex fluids, I am a Professor of Practice and Director of the Engineering Corporate Affiliate Program (ECAP) at the University of Miami. My mission is to bridge the gap between engineering education/research and industry needs, and to foster a culture of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship among students and faculty. I am also co-founder of FastFormulator a Formulation Design Lab developing novel sustainable formulations for a wide range of industries utilizing an integrated approach of High THroughput FOrmulation Automation/Advanced CHaracterization/AI-ML and based on deep colloid science/complex fluids insights. <br> As a leading researcher and consultant in formulation design and performance optimization of consumer, cosmetic, biopharmaceutical, and homecare products, I collaborate with multiple global companies and organizations to develop novel and sustainable solutions based on high throughput formulation, AI/ML, advanced characterization and novel sustainable materials. I also teach courses in polymers, surfactants, emulsions, rheology, tribology, and innovation management, and chair international conferences in my field of expertise. I am passionate about advancing the science and engineering of complex fluids and cosmetics, and sharing my knowledge and insights with the next generation of engineers and innovators.

Hanna Breetz is a political scientist who studies the political economy of alternative energy, focusing on biofuels and synthetic fuels. Her research investigates both the drivers of alternative energy policy - including the role of interest groups, decision-making institutions, and information about science and technology - as well as the impact of energy policy on innovation and technological change.