School of Polymer Science and Engineering
T.W. Bennett Symposium
Page Content
Fundamental Research with a Purpose
April 24, 2025
The Symposium will host notable speakers from academia, industry, and national labs
with the theme of "Fundamental Research with a Purpose". Dr. Jeffrey Wiggins, polymer science and engineering professor at USM is the 2024-2025
Bennett Distinguished Professor and the Keynote Speaker.
Other high-level session themes (along with “Fundamental Research with a Purpose”) include:
- Undergraduate Research with a Purpose
- Academics with a Purpose
- Business with a Purpose
Additional participating institutions and featured speakers include representatives from the
- National Science Foundation
- Boeing Research and Technology
- Air Force Research Laboratory
- University of Arizona
- Jackson State University
- Gulf Blue Navigator
- USM Office of the Vice President for Research
- USM College of Business
- USM College of Arts and Sciences
- USM School of Polymer Science and Engineering
- School of Ocean Science and Engineering
- USM School of Nursing
The Symposium is made possible thanks to the T.W. Bennett Endowment, established at
USM by Mr. and Mrs. T.W. Bennett, Sr. in honor of their son and his love for the sciences.
Earnings from the endowment are used to support research activities of the Bennett
Professor and to sponsor the biennial T.W. Bennett Symposium.
Interdisciplinary Research
7:00 - 8:00 A.M.
REGISTRATION/COFFEE - Trent Lott Lobby
8:00 - 9:00 A.M.
WELCOME AND PLENARY PRESENTATION
Jeffrey Wiggins - Trent Lott Ball Room
9:00 - 10:30 A.M.
SESSION I – Maximizing Impact of Fundamental Science | FUNDAMENTAL SCIENCE WITH A
PURPOSE - Trent Lott Ball Room
10:30 - 11:00 A.M. Refreshment Break and Poster Session - Trent Lott Lobby
11:00 - 12:00 P.M.
SESSION II – Inspiring Bridges to Accelerate Research Translation (Panel) | TRANSLATIONAL
RESEARCH AND IMPACT - Trent Lott Ball Room
