2008 Annual Meeting

Keynote Presentation

“From Nature and Back Again... Giving New Life to Materials for Energy, Electronics and the Environment”

Professor Angela M. Belcher, MITDr. Angela M. Belcher is a Germehausen Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Biological Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, MA. She holds a BS degree in Creative Studies and PhD in Chemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Belcher is a materials chemist with expertise in the fields of biomaterials, biomolecular materials, organic-inorganic interfaces and solid state chemistry.

The focus of Dr. Belcher’s research is understanding and using the process by which Nature makes materials in order to design novel hybrid organic-inorganic electronic and magnetic materials on new length scales. Her research is very interdisciplinary in nature and brings together the fields of inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and electrical engineering. She is recipient of several awards that include the Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering (2000), and the Du Pont Young Investigators Award (1999). In 2006, Scientific American named Professor Angela Belcher the Research Leader of the Year and a member of the "Scientific American 50," for accomplishments that demonstrate outstanding technological leadership. "Using nature to create machinery, Belcher employs a living virus called M13 to construct metal nano-components that may be eventually incorporated into commercial devices."

Opening Session

History of the Research Triangle Park - Have you ever asked yourself “how did the Research Triangle Park become a reality?” and “what does the future hold for the Research Triangle Park?” Representatives from the past, present and future development of the park have the answers. Please join us for a special presentation on Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 4:00 pm EST at the Sheraton Chapel Hill. The presenters will share their stories and personal experiences with the IBE members about the conception, development and implementation of the park. The presentation will be followed by a Welcome Reception. Both events are a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear and talk about this exclusive business venture that continues to play a significant role in the research efforts and growth of major corporations.

Concurrent Sessions

IBE received a record number of abstract submissions for the 2008 Annual Conference. The association is excited about the abstracts scheduled to be presented and is looking forward to a conference based on Biology-Inspired™ Engineering. Speaker and author information will be published in the final schedule distributed at the conference.

Contact Information

Please contact Sarah Clements at 859-977-7450 or via email with any questions concerning the 2008 Annual Conference.