Today we welcomed Dr. Harriet Kung, leader of the Office of Science in the Department of Energy (DOE), for our second annual President’s Distinguished Lecture. Dr. Kung’s wide-ranging talk covered the organization’s history, the critical energy challenges facing our nation (including uses of AI) as well as new opportunities for partnerships that support innovation and discovery.

Dr. Kung also discussed how our community – especially through MizzouForward – can contribute to DOE’s important work by translating scientific advances into solutions that benefit industry and communities. Following her presentation, Dr. Kung answered questions from the audience about important energy topics and ways student researchers can get involved and make a difference.

Mizzou has strong connections to the Department of Energy. During her visit, Dr. Kung met with many leading Mizzou researchers with DOE-funded projects in numerous fields, such as plant sciences, physics and engineering. She also toured the University of Missouri Research Reactor, where our team contributes to vital radiopharmaceutical development as part of DOE’s Isotope Program. We were also thrilled to preview future Mizzou initiatives that can contribute to DOE goals, including our twice-as-powerful research reactor, NextGen MURR, and the Center for Energy Innovation.

We are proud to partner with the DOE and the Office of Science to address the most significant energy challenges facing our nation and to educate the workforce of the future. It was an honor to host Dr. Kung and to learn from her experience and leadership.

— Mun