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Joseph Bozell, professor in the Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, will present “The Future of Energy from Crops” at the first UT Science Forum of the fall semester on Friday, September 8.

The Science Forum takes place from noon to 1 p.m. Fridays in the Thompson-Boling Arena Cafe (located at 1600 Phillip Fulmer Way), Room A. A 40-minute presentation is followed by a Q&A session.

The Science Forum is free and open to the public. Attendees may bring their own lunch or purchase it from the cafe.

Parking permits are available for community members who do not have a UT parking pass

Started in 1933, the Science Forum is one of UT’s oldest organizations. It was designed to provide the general public, students, and other researchers with a chance to learn about the latest scientific research at UT, ORNL, and other local institutions.

Friday’s forum will look at biorefinery options—using corn, switchgrass, and other renewable sources of carbon for production of chemicals and fuels—versus the nonrenewable oil and gas.

Here is the lineup of Science Forum speakers for this fall:

  • September 15 – “Revolutionizing the Fuel Efficiency of Commercial Aircraft?”—Stephanie TerMaath, assistant professor of mechanical, aerospace & biomedical engineering, Tickle College of Engineering
  • September 22 – “Want Happier People and a Healthier Planet? Go Outside!”—Jennifer Jones, president & CEO, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
  • September 29 – “How Did the Big Bang Create Matter?”—Vince Cianciolo, neutron physics group leader, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • October 6 – Fall break: no meeting
  • October 13 – Jan Simek, president emeritus and distinguished professor of anthropology, topic to be determined
  • October 20 – “More Droughts and More Floods: Agriculture Adapting to Climate Change”—Forbes Walker, associate professor of biosystems engineering and soil science and extension environment soil specialist
  • October 27 – “Domesticating Hardwood Trees in Tennessee – Why?”—Scott E. Schlarbaum, professor and director of UT Tree Improvement Program, Department of Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries
  • November 3 – “The Seen and Unseen Benefits That Bats Provide to Humans”—Gary McCracken, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, College of Arts and Sciences
  • November 10 – “The Pigeon Forge Recovery Project: Restoring Aquatic Diversity”—Joyce A. Coombs, coordinator of the Pigeon River Recovery Project and research associate, Department of Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries
  • November 17 – “Vehicle Cyber Security: Where the Rubber Meets the Code”—Stacy Prowell, chief cybersecurity research scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • November 24 – Thanksgiving Break: no meeting
  • December 1 – “Permission to Sleep”—Theresa M. Lee, dean and professor of psychology, College of Arts and Sciences