Illinois Innovators

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The Rise of Data Science Discovery at Illinois Aug 23, 2025

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Co-taught by Prof. Wade Fagen-Ulmschneider (Grainger Engineering) and Prof. Karle Flanagan (Statistics), their CS/STAT 107 Data Science Discovery class is transforming the way students from 90+ majors approach data science. What’s the secret to its wild success? - Real-world datasets - Hands-on, project-driven learning - Discovering how every major—from History to Finance—can be empowered by data! - And a wave of new X + DS degree programs putting Illinois students years ahead in the job market. Want to see where the future of education is headed? Hit play and dive into the one of the most exciting courses at Illinois— Data Science Discovery. 🔗 Explore more at: datasciencediscovery.org #DataScience #UIUC #IllinoisEngineering #Statistics #EducationInnovation #XplusDS #CSSTAT107 #CollegeMajors #CareerReady #DigitalFuture #StudentSuccess #BigTenChampions #STEM #HigherEd #MicroCredentials #pythonprogramming

Can we create food from air, water and electricity? Nov 01, 2023

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Illinois researchers believe they are getting close to producing food anywhere on the planet — using only air, water and electricity. Join Lauren Laws as she sits down with principal investigator Ting Lu, and co-PIs Mohan Sankaran, Keith Cadwallader to learn more about this DARPA-funded project.

Physics for the masses, one song at a time Sep 27, 2022

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A shared love of physics, music and education outreach has been sparking a creative partnership between Maggie and Fahad Mahmood for the last 14 years. The couple is continuing their musical journey in the Physics Department at The Grainger College of Engineering by writing song parodies, which celebrate and teach all things physics.

Cancer and Engineering with Rohit Bhargava Jan 25, 2022

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On this episode of Illinois Innovators we're joined by Founder Professor of Bioengineering Rohit Bhargava. In March 2005, Professor Rohit Bhargava was the first external hire to join the Department of Bioengineering as it launched. Now he is an established researcher in chemical imaging and digital pathology techniques and has led the Cancer Center at Illinois since it was formed in 2011. As the Cancer Center at Illinois enters its second decade, he reflects on its unusual approach to cancer research and its impact on people’s health and well-being.

Tackling Hypersonics with Marco Panesi Oct 13, 2021

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On this episode of the Illinois Innovators Podcast, we explore hypersonics. When a vehicle travels faster than the speed of sound, its exterior surface becomes extremely hot — risking the safety of the people and cargo inside. Molecules in the flow around the vehicle collide and change, creating a shockwave. This hypersonic environment is difficult to understand and even more difficult to study. We asked Marco Panesi to clarify some of the mysteries of hypersonics and tell us what he and his colleagues are working on to better understand the phenomenon. He is a professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, a Caterpillar Faculty Scholar, and director of the Center for Hypersonics and Entry Systems Studies.

Engineering for Good with Vilas Dhar Aug 10, 2021

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Vilas Dhar is President of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a $1.5 billion global philanthropy advancing artificial intelligence and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all. He earned bioengineering and computer science degrees from The Grainger College of Engineering in 2004, followed by a JD from New York University School of Law and a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He spoke to us in June, sharing his vision for empowering nonprofits and change-makers with technology, encouraging technologists and engineers to pursue careers in public interest technology, and building a better future with people from all backgrounds doing the work. Transcript: https://grainger.illinois.edu/40773

AI Agricultural Robotics with Girish Chowdhary & EarthSense Dec 09, 2020

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Conversation with Prof. Girish Chowdhary from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and his team at EarthSense. They share about their work in AI robotics, sustainable agriculture, and how to address labor shortages in ag.

Mapping the Nation's Food Supply Chain with Megan Konar Nov 20, 2019

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Ever wondered where the food on your plate came from? While it is much easier at Farmer’s Markets or Farm-to-table restaurants for the consumer to know its origination, supermarkets and restaurants are a little more complicated. A group led by Megan Konar, an assistant professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has created the first comprehensive map detailing the food chain within the United States. The team cites 132 Freight analysis framework locations to the 3,142 counties in the US. Those combine form 9.5 million links. Professor Konar joins the program to talk about the enormous project and more of her work. Her research focuses on the intersection of water, food, and trade.

Ann-Perry Witmer on the importance of environmental and cultural factors in humanitarian engineering Nov 15, 2019

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As the world assesses how they can support projects in non-industrialized countries, a new study brought to light just how important cultural and environmental factors are when providing humanitarian engineering aid in these regions. Ann Perry Witmer, a lecturer of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, joins the program to discuss her study on how contextual engineering improves the success of projects in non-industrial societies. It takes an in-depth look at some of the perspectives that may determine its effectiveness. She has created and supported a number of organizations that have provided engineering assistance to communities in Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and Africa and was a past faculty advisor for Illinois’ chapter of Engineers Without Borders.

Nenad Miljkovic on discovery, which can de-ice surfaces in seconds Oct 24, 2019

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Nenad Miljkovic's research group, collaborating with colleagues at Kyushu University of in Japan, discovered a method to de-ice surfaces in a matter of seconds. The method does so by using 1% of the energy and point 0.01 percent of the time. Professor Miljkovic talks about the discovery and how it could impact a number of industries. His is the principal investigator of the Energy Transport Research Laboratory, the associate director of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Center and an associate professor of mechanical science and engineering at at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Among the emphases of the lab is the interaction between liquids and a solid surface.

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