The College of Design Presents
Biomimetics24: Nature-Inspired Design and Development
Tue, Oct 8, 8:00 am-4:30 pm
The inaugural Biomimetics International Industry Strategy Symposium: Nature-Inspired Design and Development (Biomimetics24) will advance the biomimetics industry and accelerate the adoption of nature-inspired innovations. This convening will be transformative in the global quest to build a sustainable future inspired by nature’s genius.
Hosted at the University of Minnesota, this industry strategy symposium will convene the global biomimicry community, composed of academia, researchers, policymakers, native nations, and businesses. This event is the first of its kind to gather key players across the growing industry and will promote and catalyze: industry dialogue, cutting-edge research, best practices, collaboration and partnerships, standardized methodologies, and economic action at scale in the many emerging fields of biomimicry.
Participants will enjoy: inspiring and substantive networking, knowledge sharing, and advocacy across diverse biomimicry applications from construction and health to textiles, consumer goods, AI, education, and more. For a detailed list of speakers and more, visit Biomimetics24.
7:30-8:00 am Breakfast
8:00-8:10 am Conference Overview: Purpose, Pragmatism, Persistence, and Patience …Pays
Michael W. Wright, CEO Intercepting Horizons
8:10-8:30 am Welcome / Transformative Opportunities Offered Through Bio-inspired and Biomimetic Pathways
Dr. Shashank Pyria, Vice President of Research & Innovation, UMN
8:30-9:00 am Biomimetic Regional Development: A Northern Minnesota Case Study
Tom Fisher, Director, Minnesota Design Center & Professor, Architecture, UMN
9:00-9:30 am Hypernatural: Architecture's Evolving Relationship with Nature
Blaine Brownell, FAIA LEED AP, Professor and Director, David R. Ravin School of Architecture, University of North Carolina, Charlotte
9:30-9:45 am Break
9:45-10:15 am Decay and Regeneration in Architecture
Dr. Marc Swackhamer, Professor & Chair Department of Architecture, College of Architecture & Planning, University of Colorado
10:15-10:45 am Bringing More Biology into Biomimetics: Opportunities and Challenges
Dr. Emilie Snell-Rood, Professor, Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, College of Biological Sciences, Snell-Rood Lab, UMN
10:45-11:15 am Biomimicry Innovation: A View From The University-Industry Interface
Dr. Peter H. Niewiarowski, Integrated Bioscience Department of Biology, University of Akron
11:15-11:45 am Beyond Anthropocentric Design
Dr. Prasad Boradkar, Dean, College of Design, UMN
11:45-11:55 am UPDATE
Wendy Meadley, CEO, Expo2031
11:55 am-12:55 pm LUNCH
12:55-1:10 pm Discovering the Smell Molecules: Mimicking the Olfactory Engine
Chris Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, Simplifi Automation
1:10-1:40 pm Leveraging Nature: Inspiring Commercially Viable Pathways to Ecosystem Resilience
Matthew Aghai, Managing Director, Viridian Ecosystems
1:40-2:10 pm Biomimetics and Public Policy: Advocacy Pathways for Sustainable Innovation
Dr. John Pournoor, Chief Executive Officer, Government Analytica LLC
2:10-2:40 pm Sustainability Progress in Owned Brands at Target
Stephanie Grotta, Vice President, Responsible Sourcing & Sustainable Capabilities, Target Corporation
2:40-2:55 pm Break
2:55-3:50 pm Panel Topic: Valuing ‘The Humanverse’
Moderator: Devry Boughner Vorwerk, Founder + Chief Executive Officer, DevryBV Sustainable Strategies,
Panelists: Stephanie Grotta, Dr. Peter Niewiarowski, Dr. John Pournoor, Dana Thompson, Arnoud de Villegas
3:50-4:20 pm Open Discussion and Q& A
Tom Fisher & Prasad Boradkar
4:20-4:30 pm Biomimetics International: Reaching Critical Mass
Michael W. Wright, Founding Member, Biomimetics International
Closing Remarks
If you need assistance with your tickets, please call 612-624-2345, email umntix@umn.edu.
Dr. Shashank Pryia
Vice President, Research and Innovation
University of Minnesota
Stephanie Grota, Vice President
Responsible Sourcing & Sustainable Capabilities
Target Corporation
Dr. Peter Niewiarowski
University of Akron
Professor of Biology / Niewiarowski Lab
Devry Boughner Vorwerk
Founder + CEO
DevryBV Sustainable Strategies
Dr. Prasad Boradkar
Dean, College of Design
University of Minnesota
Dr. Emilie Ross-Rood
Professor, Ecology, Evolution and Behavior
College of Biological Sciences, Snell-Rood Lab
University of Minnesota
Blaine Brownell, FAIA LEED AP
Professor and Director, David R. Ravin School of Architecture
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Thomas Fischer
Director, Minnesota Design Center & Professor, Architecture
University of Minnesota
Dr. John Pournoor
Chief Executive Officer
Government Analytica LLC
Marc Swackhamer
Professor and Chair
Department of Architecture
College of Architecture and Planning
University of Colorado Denver
Chris Campbell
Founder and CEO, Simplifi Automation
Matthew Aghai
Managing Director
Viridian Ecosystems
Dana Thompson
Founder, and CEO of Heti Products
James Beard Award-winning Restaurateur, Social Impact Entrepreneur
Arnoud de Villegas
Managing Director
Viridian Ecosystems