For the past four years, around 3:55 p.m. on a Wednesday, a curious group of people have filed into the Joe Crowley Student Union Great Room. Coffees in hand (provided to attendees), they have heard leading innovators, researchers and business leaders present on technologies that will play a pivotal role in the fight against climate change. Following the presentation and a short Q&A, a lively discussion takes place during a hosted reception. Ideas percolate in the back of the minds of students, faculty and community members, and science is shared among food and conversation.

That tradition continues this semester, as the Energy Solutions Forum enters its fifth year. Kicking off the season on Sept. 16 is a presentation from Comstock Inc.’s Corrado De Gasperis. De Gasperis will discuss the future of energy, resources and carbonization from the perspective of the CEO and Chief Executive Chairman of a local company based on critical minerals recovery.

Next in the lineup is a presentation from Sabbie Miller. Manufacturing industrial materials is a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions. A professor at UC Davis and faculty scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Miller studies life cycle assessment and supply chain resilience. Her lecture will be on Oct. 7.

To close out the semester, Taylor Wilson will present on the future of nuclear energy technologies. At 14, Wilson became the youngest person to produce nuclear fusion, and hasn’t slowed his pursuit of the sciences. His presentation will be on Nov. 18.

The Energy Solutions Forum began when Mick Hitchcock, a biochemist who developed pioneering therapeutics and processes at several pharmaceutical companies, realized there wasn’t a great venue for scientists and the community to discuss energy opportunities. Hitchcock, whose passion for science communication and innovation shines through his founding of the Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology and the Hitchcock Project for Visualizing Science, decided to sponsor a series dedicated to bringing leading experts in these technologies to the University. It’s been a hit.

Professor Chris Barile, a chemist who is developing his own energy-saving technologies, has helped curate the Energy Solutions Forum for several years.

“It has been a delight participating in the Energy Solutions Forum over the years, and witnessing how the event has connected students, faculty, industry partners and community members in an engaging format that combines thought-provoking presentations with conversation, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas over free food and drinks,” Barile said. “We hope to see you there!"

The Energy Solutions Forum is free and open to the public. Registration is available online, along with information about parking.