Science and business partners a natural for the new economy

Chancellor Thomas Harden delivered remarks and Natural and Applied Sciences Profs. John Katers and Michael Zorn were guest speakers at the third annual Wisconsin Science and Technology Symposium, July 22-23. It was the first time the symposium was held at UW-Green Bay.

Speaking at the conference, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle said the state may be facing difficult times but “science and technology will lead the way” out of our current economic downturn.

Zorn and Katers are two of the many highly regarded faculty at UW-Green Bay working in areas of green technology, waste management and sustainability. Zorn addressed the symposium regarding research he is doing in partnership with a UW-Stout researcher to modify fuel cells with a photocatalyst material.

Katers, co-director of UW-Green Bay’s Environmental Management and Business Institute (EMBI), spoke about environmental research opportunities in Northeast Wisconsin, pointing to regional partners providing research opportunities and student internships. Among them: Aurora BayCare, ENCAP, LLC., FEECO International, the Green Bay Packers and Tosca Ltd.

Doyle, who was introduced by Chancellor Harden, spoke to the more than 100 participants and addressed the media, commenting that Wisconsin has one of the greatest higher education systems in the country.

“It is critical that we support that system even in the most difficult times,” Doyle said.

He said the state needs to continue investing in education and find more ways to convert research and talent from universities into commercial opportunities.

“Our future and our success will depend on the science and technology that we put to use in the state of Wisconsin,” Doyle said.

The governor challenged those in attendance to get involved in the political process so they can shape what he calls the “rapidly changing economy.”

“You all in this room are critical to building that economy,” he said.

Doyle was presented with a plaque from the WiSys Technology Foundation during the Friday morning session in the Phoenix Room of UW-Green Bay’s University Union.

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Photos by Eric Miller and Robert Hornacek, Marketing and University Communication