Texas Tech University

Registration Now Open for Texas Tech's Discoveries to Impact Week

Abby Stone

December 12, 2019

Events to showcase research will be hosted March 30 through April 3.

Registration is now open for Texas Tech's 2020 Discoveries to Impact (DTI) week, which will celebrate research, engagement, innovation and startups.

The week seeks to raise awareness and challenge Texas Tech University's faculty, staff, students and community members to be responsive to community and societal needs by providing innovative solutions to the complex problems facing the state, nation and world.

"DTI is our way to engage the community with Texas Tech's innovation efforts, demonstrating the research strength of the people who are solving problems for the citizens of Texas," said Kimberly Gramm, associate vice president of innovation & entrepreneurship.

DTI is a partnership between Texas Tech's Center for Transformative Undergraduate Experiences (TrUE), the Innovation Hub at Research Park, the Center for Integration of STEM Education & Research (CISER) and the Office of University Outreach and Engagement. Programs and activities throughout the week will highlight and demonstrate the volume of research, innovation and engagement occurring at the university.

"TrUE is excited to join with our campus partners to bring our Undergraduate Research Conference under the broader umbrella of the second annual Discoveries to Impact Week," said Levi Johnson, director of TrUE. "Our conference has a rich history of engaging and highlighting talented undergraduate researchers and incredible faculty mentors. DTI enhances this work by further expanding the reach of research, innovation and engagement."

Events throughout the week include the National Academy of Inventors Award Banquet, the 12th annual Undergraduate Research Conference, the fourth annual Sparking the Future of Innovation (Spark) Conference, CISER's Undergraduate Research Scholars Banquet, a visual and performing arts exhibition at the First Friday Art Trail and the third annual Regional Engaged Scholarship Symposium.

The events will showcase research that improves the quality and sustainability of life, supports technology transfer and sparks innovation that affects society in a profound way. Presenters include Texas Tech faculty, staff, students and community partners in addition to nationally renowned keynote speakers as different components of DTI week. Click here to register for the conference.

"DTI is a welcomed evolution of the CISER Undergraduate Research Scholars' STEM Student Research Days and the expanded TrUE Undergraduate Research Conference," said Julie Isom, associate director for undergraduate research. "The growth of the transformational efforts of DTI partnerships supports and involves our researchers, students, faculty, staff, alumni and community in unprecedented and exciting new ways. We appreciate our system leaders for believing in the shared vision enabling us to be in this pivotal position for 2020."

DTI week embodies the strategic priorities to educate and empower a diverse student body, enable innovative research and transform lives and communities through strategic outreach. The events also will highlight how engagement and partnerships with business, industry and communities can be a catalyst for discovery, innovation, societal well-being and economic development.

"Our faculty, staff and students leverage their knowledge and resources with those of our partners, working together to help find innovative solutions to societal and economic issues in the region or state," said Birgit Green, director of university outreach and engagement.

Sponsors for this year's DTI week include: Lubbock Economic Development Alliance; College of Human Sciences; Lubbock National Bank; Honors CollegeJ.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing ArtsCollege of Arts & Sciences; Teaching, Learning, & Professional Development Center; and McNair Scholars Program.

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