Session 2: Networking for Engineers: Identify - Engage - Nurture
Most opportunities in industry come through relationships—not job boards. This session teaches a simple, repeatable networking system tailored for engineers, complete with scripts and habits you can use immediately. If you would like to attend via Zoom, please join us on March 18 from 6-7 pm.

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Event is open to all engineering students, faculty, and staff.

You must RSVP using this form by March 13 if you plan to attend.

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Title: AI for Synthetic Biology

Abstract:

Synthetic biology aims to design novel or improved biological systems using engineering principles, which has broad applications in medical, chemical, food, and agricultural industries. However, due to the complexity of biological systems, performing synthetic biology in a quantitative and predictive manner remains a challenge. In recent years, thanks to advances in data science, artificial intelligence (AI) that allows computers to learn from experience has emerged as a potentially powerful tool to address this challenge. In this talk, I will highlight our recent work on the development of AI tools and an AI-powered self-driving biofoundry to accelerate the design-build-test-learn cycle in synthetic biology. Examples include but are not limited to: (a) ECNet: a deep learning model for protein engineering (Luo et al. Nature Communications 2021); (b) CLEAN: an AI tool for enzyme function prediction (Yu et al. Science 2023); (c) EZSpecificity: an AI tool for enzyme substrate specificity prediction (Cui et al. Nature 2025); (d) design of novel mitochondrial targeting sequences using generative AI (Boob et al. Nature Communications 2025), and (e) BioAutomata: an AI-powered self-driving biofoundry for protein engineering, pathway engineering, and metabolic engineering (Hamedi et al. Nature Communications 2019; Singh et al. Nature Communications 2025).

Bio:

Dr. Huimin Zhao is the Steven L. Miller Chair of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He is the director of the NSF AI Institute for Molecule Synthesis, NSF iBioFoundry, and the NSF Global Center for Biofoundry Applications, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of ACS Synthetic Biology. Dr. Zhao received his B.S. in Biology from the University of Science and Technology of China and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology under Nobel Laureate Frances Arnold. Before joining UIUC in 2000, he was a project leader at Dow Chemical Company. He has authored over 480 publications, delivered more than 550 invited lectures, and mentored many trainees who have gone on to become faculty and principal investigators worldwide. His research focuses on synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, and laboratory automation for addressing challenges in health, energy, and sustainability.

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Session 3: Communicating Like an Industry Engineer
Industry moves fast. Engineers who communicate clearly become trusted faster. This workshop shows you how to explain your work in a way that resonates with technical and non-technical stakeholders. If you would like to attend via Zoom, please join us on April 8 from 6-7 pm.

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Session 4: Productivity & Performance in Industry- How to Deliver Results as an Early-Career Engineer
Industry expects engineers to manage competing priorities, communicate progress proactively, and execute consistently. This session provides a practical toolkit to help you operate with confidence from day one. If you would like to attend via Zoom, please join us on April 22 from 6-7 pm.

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About the Showcase:

Engineering students are given a problem to solve by an external client. They spend two semesters researching, ideating, designing, and —in some cases—building cutting-edge solutions to these challenges.

This showcase is their opportunity to present their work and creativity in a professional setting. It’s also an ideal opportunity for you to discover how talented and dedicated our Engineering Vols are and talk to the faculty advisors and leadership team behind the initiative.

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