As a new Administration arrives in Washington, D.C., few things are certain except that 2021 is sure to be an eventful year, especially as the Democrats gain a majority in the House and what appears to be narrow control of the Senate. While underlying partisan jockeying and prospects for bipartisan cooperation will affect greatly what may happen in the more limited context of chemical regulation, the Biden Administration has already laid out priorities on the environment that will surely influence the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) positions on climate change, the role of science, and regulation in general.
Expected domestic and global climate policies, including a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and the new Administration’s stated goal to re-join the Paris Accord on “day one” – and what that may mean for other environmental priorities at EPA;
Revisions to Trump-era decisions on implementation of the 2016 Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Lautenberg) amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (Lautenberg Amendments) and decisions on various specific pesticides (most notably, or most notoriously, chlorpyrifos); and
The emergence of environmental justice as a core component of the Biden Administration’s environmental agenda and, in particular, the role chemical exposures play in disproportionately affecting vulnerable subpopulations and marginalized communities. The nominations of Michael Regan as EPA Administrator and Brenda Mallory to head the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) demonstrate the seriousness of the Biden Administration’s commitment to environmental justice as each has a clear record of accomplishment as a champion of the topic.
VIRTUAL EVENT January 11-13, 2021 Daily runtime: 11AM – 3PM ET
Over the past 20 years, the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) has supported nanotechnology discovery, development, and deployment, and has nurtured the strong ecosystem that exists today. Building on this foundation, nanoscience will underpin a wide range of advanced technologies and enable solutions to challenges into the future. Conversations at this workshop will identify effective mechanisms to advance research and development, strategies for communication, and priority topics to shape future directions.
Panel – World-Class R&D Pedro Alvarez, Rice University Carmen Gomes, Iowa State University Cherie Kagan, University of Pennsylvania Kurt Kolasinski, West Chester University
12:45 p.m.
Break
1:15 p.m.
Panel – The Nanotechnology Development Pathway Baratunde Cola, Carbice Corporation Michael Goergen, P3Nano Heike E. Riel, IBM Research Joe Sprengard, Jr., Veelo Technologies
2:50 p.m.
Day 1 Wrap-Up
3:00 p.m.
Day 1 Concludes
DAY 2
Laying the Groundwork
Time (ET)
Agenda
11:00 a.m.
Welcome
11:05 a.m.
Keynote Presentation Sangeeta Bhatia, MIT
11:30 a.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Research & Development Moderator: Kristin Perssen, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Commercialization Moderator: Landon Mertz, Cerion Nanomaterials Physical & Cyber Infrastructure Moderator: Jennifer Dionne, Stanford University Education & Workforce Development Moderator: Jared Ashcroft, Pasadena City College Responsible Development Moderator: Gretchen Mahler, Binghamton University
1:00 p.m.
Break
1:30 p.m.
Panel – Synthesizing Breakout Discussions
3:00 p.m.
Day 2 Concludes
DAY 3
Ensuring Success
Time (ET)
Agenda
11:00 a.m.
Welcome
11:05 a.m.
Panel – Measuring Impact Christopher Ober, Cornell University Julia Phillips, National Science Board John Joannopoulos, Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies Michael Russo, SEMI Paul Weiss, University of California, Los Angeles
1:05 p.m.
Break
1:35 p.m.
Keynote Presentation Chad Mirkin, Northwestern University
2:30-2:50 United States Foreign Policy 2021 Ambassador Christopher Dell (Retired) Ambassador Dell is a retired career United States Foreign Service officer. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo from May 2009 through August of 2012. In addition, Mr. Dell served as Ambassador to Angola and Zimbabwe.
The Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization (SNO) and the Nanotechnology, Occupational and Environmental Health (NanOEH) Committee have partnered to present the 9th NANO Conference. This conference combines the interests of SNO and NanOEH by offering a program containing sessions that are of interest to both groups.
SNO is a permanent non-profit corporation that provides the infrastructure to carry out its mission of research, education, and responsibility related to both sustainability and nanotechnology. The NanOEH committee focuses on a conference that serves the occupational and environmental health communities involved with nanotechnology. The 9th Nano Conference provides a synergy between SNO and the Committee to provide high quality professional presentations of interest to scientists and engineers focusing on the interaction between technical advances and societal, occupational and environmental impacts as well as sustainability in the field of nanotechnology research.
2:30-2:45 China in Africa – How to Box Clever and Win Ambassador Christopher Dell (Retired) Ambassador Dell is a retired career United States Foreign Service officer. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo from May 2009 through August of 2012. In addition, Mr. Dell served as Ambassador to Angola and Zimbabwe.
