2025 MRS Spring Meeting & Exhibit

Cultivating Mutually Beneficial Partnerships with Scientists in Africa—Lasting Relationships for Real Impact

Monday, April 7
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Summit, Level 3, Room 333

Cross-continental research collaborations are fertile environments for fostering novel ideas and innovation that are necessary to address the complex materials science challenges facing society. In this session, esteemed researchers with successful collaborations between African and non-African institutions will present their experiences. Presenters will also participate in an interactive Q&A panel where attendees can ask how to initiate and sustain fruitful partnerships while overcoming potential obstacles. This opportunity to network with and learn from leading researchers in Africa, the United States, Europe and beyond should be beneficial for all attendees, particularly early-career scientists seeking to foster new collaborations.

 

Organized by Matthew Hauwiller, Seagate Technology


2:00 pm - 2:20 pm
Welcome
Eric A. Stach, MRS President
Balla Diop Ngom, A-MRS President
 
2:20 pm - 3:00 pm
Keynote
Cedric Habiyaremye, Food Systems for the Future
 
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Successful Collaborations
 
3:00 pm
Paul Weiss, University of California, Los Angeles
 
3:15 pm
Archana Bhaw-Luximon, University of Mauritius
 
3:30 pm
Sossina M. Haile, Northwestern University
 
3:45 pm
Nicholas A. Kotov, University of Michigan
 
4:00 pm
Richard Martin, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
 
4:15 pm - 5:00 pm
Panel Discussion, Open Q & A
Sossina M.  Haile, Northwestern University, Moderator