The Nicholas School’s Board of Visitors (BOV) and Alumni Council came together on Thursday and Friday, April 3-4, to hear about the latest research being conducted by students and faculty.
After a welcome from Dean Lori Bennear and BOV Chair Kathryn Hoenig, MEM candidate Emily Siegel shared her research on how orphaned elephants respond to drones and how drones can be used more ethically in monitoring wildlife.
This was followed by a presentation by Duke’s Executive Vice President Daniel Ennis on the state of the university, and then an update from BOV member Dorry Kee on the Marine Lab Committee. Later faculty Bill Pan and David Johnston, as well as MEM candidate Maia Griffith, shared how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to study topics from controlling and eliminating malaria to monitoring climate change and shark behavior.
Board and Alumni Council members later heard from Jesko von Windheim on the latest updates in innovation and entrepreneurship, Kimberly Marion Suiseeya on environmental justice, and Brian McAdoo on community-engaged scholarship to reduce disaster risk. Finally, Board member Jim Fuechsel shared how the BOV is boosting engagement through the Duke Climate, Energy & Sustainability Alumni Network.
On Friday, April 5, Board and Alumni Council members enjoyed a panel discussion on climate change challenges at the federal level, and heard from Nicolas Cassar on the potential of oceans to combat climate change.
