University of Wisconsin System and University of Wisconsin-Platteville innovators from broad disciplines and backgrounds have once again teamed up to host the WiSys Innovation Mixer in an effort to provide students with a unique networking opportunity and to collaborate on an absurd design challenge. The event will take place on Monday, Feb. 11, from 5-7 p.m., in Nohr Gallery in Ullsvik Hall. Check-in is at 4:45 p.m. The event is free to attend, and a pizza dinner will be provided.
The event will kick off with a special keynote presentation from Snap-on Tools’ InnovationWorks General Manager Patrick Donohue, who has been building teams and working on innovations with Snap-on for 11 years. In his role, Donohue participates in a variety of user-centered design projects and manages Snap-on’s global innovation center in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
“The idea behind the innovation mixer is to foster and help promote a culture of innovation through collaboration,” said Dr. Gokul Gopalakrishnan, assistant professor of physics. “In past years, we’ve connected students from technical majors with marketing and business students to work together on a design challenge with a component involving business plan development.”
The event was planned by Gopalakrishnan, along with Dr. Marcia Harr Bailey, assistant professor in the School of Business; Dr. Mark Levenstein, assistant professor of biology; and Tony Hanson WiSys regional associate.