WVU Statler College Industry Day:
Bridging the gap between academia and industry
November 14, 2025
Evansdale Crossing 414, and Statler College Labs
8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The WVU Statler College Industry Day 2025 brings together faculty, researchers and professionals to explore industry challenges with WVU capabilities and conduct critical discussions to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Strengthen your professional connections and explore what industry pathways and collaborations are right for you! The event includes networking with faculty and industry professionals, creating opportunities for faculty-industry collaborations, partnering in strategic initiatives and lab tours of research facilities.
Registration is full. For questions on registration, please contact Xingbo.Liu@mail.wvu.edu
Lodging and Travel Information
Objectives
- Highlight college strengths in research, facilities, and talent.
- Promote existing collaborations with industry.
- Create matchmaking opportunities for faculty-industry partnerships.
- Explore pathways for industrial-sponsored research, internships, and advisory roles.
Agenda
-
8:30 – 9:00 AM
Registration and Coffee: Attendees check in, receive materials, and informal networking -
9:00 – 9:15 AM
Michael T. Benson - President, West Virginia University
Pedro Mago - Dean, Statler College of Engineering & Mineral Resources
Sheena Murphy - Associate Vice President of Research Development, West Virginia University
Xingbo Liu - Associate Dean for Research, Statler College of Engineering & Mineral Resources -
9:15 – 9:45 AM
Keynote:
Vision for Industry Collaboration: Senior academic and invited industry leader outlines strategic direction Senior academic and invited industry leader outlines strategic direction
Yemi Akinkugbe - Statler Visiting Committee Chair, Founder & Managing Partner, SevenFiveTwo and Statler Visiting Committee Chair
Xingbo Liu - Statler Associate Dean for Research -
9:45 – 11:15 AM
Matched one-on-one and Lab tour and discussion:
Focused conversations on industry problems and WVU capabilities - visits to research labs, maker spaces, or testing facilities -
11:15 – 1 PM
Poster Session: Poster presentations grouped by theme (e.g., energy, AI, robotics, etc.) -
12:00 – 1 PM
Networking Lunch: Reserved tables by interest/topic for facilitated discussion -
1:00 – 1:30 PM
WVU’s IP and Tech Transfer policies
Presenters:
Erienne Olesh - Executive Director of WVU Office of Innovation and Commercialization
Ryan Watson - Executive Director of WVU Intellectual Property and Licensing / Senior Associate General Counsel for WVU
Chris Menchini - Director of Intellectual Property and Commercialization -
1:30 – 2:00 PM
Office of Sponsored Programs: Ways to work with industry
Lana Yoho, Director, Office of Sponsored Programs
Cathy Tarabrella, Associate Director, Pre-Award
Darcy Kisko, Assistant Director, Award Initiation and Management
Kimberly Yoney, Award Administrator, Award Initiation and Management
Laken Dillon, Award Negotiator, Negotiations -
2:15 – 3:00 PM
Panel: Success Spotlight on Industry-Funded Projects - Presentations
and Discussion on successful collaborations, outcomes, and impact.
Moderator: Kirk Gerdes, Deputy Director, NETL RIC
Panelists:
John Hu, Professor, Statler College of Engineering & Mineral Resources,
Rakesh Gupta, Professor, Statler College of Engineering & Mineral Resources
Gregory Hoyer, Senior Vice President, Hope Gas -
3:00 – 3:30 PM
West Virginia and WVU are open for business:Jack Thompson, Director, WVU Corporate Relations
Kelsey Staggers, Business Development Manager, WV Development Office)
Bob Waggoner, Director of Investor Relations and Partnerships, LG Nova -
3:45 – 4:00 PM
Closing Remarks and Next Steps Recap: Share follow-up plans, and thank participants