This year’s Issue Day is Friday, April 26. The theme is “Sustainability: Striving to Thrive” and focuses on aspects of sustainability and society.
Students have invited speakers with expertise ranging from bioengineering and financial sustainability to mental and physical wellness.
This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Jeremy D. Semrau, the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Michigan. Professor Semrau received his B.S. in Civil Engineering with highest honors from the University of Texas at Austin, and an M.S.E. and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering Science from the California Institute of Technology. Following his Ph.D., he was a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Warwick (UK).
The day also incorporates a student-designed simulation. It’s being organized by the Issue Day Committee of the Global Leadership Program. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend the morning sessions of this powerful day, starting at 8:15 a.m. in the Millennium Theatre.
More about Dr. Jeremy D. Semrau:
His research is in the general area of environmental microbiology, with a particular interest on elucidating and manipulating methanotrophy for a variety of environmental, industrial and medical applications. Recent work includes efforts to utilize methanotrophy for the in situ removal of persistent halogenated organic pollutants, control and removal of greenhouse gasses (i.e., methane and nitrous oxide) as well as production of novel biogenic chelating agents for the treatment of metal-related human pathologies (e.g., Wilson Disease).
He has received many awards during his academic career, including recognition as a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology. He has served on the editorial boards of Microbiology, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, and Frontiers of Microbiology and is active in many professional societies, most notably the American Society for Microbiology and American Geophysical Union.