Kelvin Drogemeier

Kelvin Droegemeier is Regents’ Professor of Meteorology, Weathernews Chair Emeritus, and Teigen Presidential Professor at the University of Oklahoma, where he served for nearly a decade as Vice President for Research. He has been at OU for 36 years and co-founded and directed one of NSF’s first Science and Technology Centers. He served two 6-year terms on the National Science Board, the last four years as Vice Chairman, nominated first by President George W. Bush and then by Barack Obama and confirmed both times by the U.S. Senate. He also served for two years as Oklahoma Cabinet Secretary of Science and Technology. Most recently, Dr. Droegemeier served for two years as Director of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Science Advisor to the President. For two and a half months during this time, he also served as Acting Director of the National Science Foundation. His research involves numerical simulation and prediction of high-impact local weather, and the assimilation of data into storm-resolving models. He is a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and has published more than 80 referred journal articles and over 200 conference publications.

Presentation title:  Shaking the Etch-a-Sketch of America’s Innovation Ecosystem

Abstract:  The shapes, colors, and possible uses of glass have been a constant source of inspiration for creativity and innovation throughout history—and still are today. Glass inspires innovation because of its ability to transform something ordinary into something extraordinary—you may remember how a simple glass bottle helped create unique memories during a special occasion? Over time, the innovative inspiration and transformational power of glass has increased not only its applications and uses, but also the technology and engineering used to produce it.