U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz Visits UT Austin
Academic institutions such as The University of Texas at Austin serve an essential role in furthering scientific research that can help drive the commercialization of transformative products and services, said U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz during a visit to Austin on Thursday.
Photo by Marsha Miller, The University of Texas at Austin
Throughout his visit, Moniz touted an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, specifically efforts to promote investment in innovation and advanced manufacturing in the United States. He characterized The University of Texas at Austin as a leader in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.
“UT Austin has grown into a research and teaching powerhouse, both educating the next generation of scientists and engineers and helping to drive cutting-edge research and innovation,” Moniz said during a speech on campus. “The Department of Energy is proud to partner with the university on more than $20 million of research each year.”
Moniz met privately with graduate students involved in a variety of energy-related research projects, including 22 Cockrell School of Engineering students, and he toured the university’s Visualization Laboratory (Vislab), operated by the Texas Advanced Computing Center. The Vislab features a large cluster of 30-inch monitors that are among the highest-resolution tiled displays in the world. The Vislab also serves as a research hub for human-computer interaction, tiled display software development and visualization consulting.
Thomas F. Edgar, a chemical engineering professor and director of the university’s Energy Institute, cited the importance of public-private collaborations in fostering the commercialization of scientific research.
“The DOE has been a strong supporter of energy research at this university, as well as of the private-public partnerships that further innovation and advanced manufacturing and clean energy initiatives,” Edgar said.
Watch the video of Sec. Moniz’s speech below.
U.S. Secretary of Energy to Speak to UT Austin Community
The Energy Institute at The University of Texas at Austin presents
U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz
Thursday, Feb. 6
10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
AVAYA Auditorium, ACES Building
201 E. 24th Street
Austin, TX 78712
Free event. No RSVP required.
Students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the public, are invited to attend a speech by U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, and to learn more about how innovation and entrepreneurship are driving President Obama’s energy strategy.
Following introductions from University Provost Gregory Fenves and Cockrell School Professor and Energy Institute Deputy Director Michael Webber, Sec. Moniz will deliver his remarks before opening it up to questions from the audience.
Join the conversation! #MonizatUT