April 4 

[Evening Reception] A.K. Hinds University Center - Illusions

6:30  Reception
7:00  Welcome: Paul Evans
7:05  Introduction: Provost Kyle Carter
7:30  The Intersection of Policy and Science:  “Katrina”
Rob Young, Dept of Geosciences and NRM, WCU

April 5 

[Registration] A.K. Hinds University Center - Theater

7:30   Coffee and Registration
7:55   Welcome: Paul Evans
8:00   Introduction: Chancellor John Bardo
8:20   Perspectives on Molecular Ecology in the Southern Appalachians
Jim Costa, Highlands Biological Station, Department of Biology, WCU

[Session I:  Hardwoods in Western North Carolina]

8:40  Use of Products and Resources of a Hardwood Tree Improvement Program for Basic Research
Scott Schlarbaum, Department of Forestry, UT-Knoxville
9:00  Using Biotechnology to Improve Productivity of Northern Red Oak:  Converting Ideas into Action
Laura DeWald, Department of Geosciences & NRM, WCU
9:20  Biodiversity of Applachian Trees
Ron Lance, Horticulture Department., Chimney Rock State Park
9:40  Hardwood Silviculture Research in Western North Carolina: Focusing on the Landowner
Pete Bates, Department of Geosciences & NRM, WCU
10:00  Progress in Northern Red Oak Genomics
Wes Bonds, Department of Chemistry & Physics, WCU
Moderator: Russ Lea, UNC General Administration

[Session II:  Forensic Sciences]

10:30  Forensic Anthropology at WCU
John Williams, Department of Anthropology & Sociology, WCU
10:45  Forensic Chemistry Research: Nondestructive Measurements, Biosensors, and More
Scott Huffman, Department of Chemistry & Physics, WCU
11:00  Forensic Psychology: A Brief Introduction
Alvin Malesky, Department of Psychology, WCU
11:15  Electronic Crime, Digital Evidence, and Computer Forensics:  Subjugating the 21st Century Criminal
Larry Myers, Department of Applied Criminology, WCU
Moderator: David Butcher, College of Arts & Sciences, WCU

[Chancellor’s Forum]

11:30  R&D Investments in Higher Education: Considering Pasteur’s Quadrant
John Bardo, Chancellor, WCU

[12:15-1:45   Luncheon and Keynote Speaker] Sponsored by AdvantageWest

Welcome: Dale Carroll, President and CEO , AdvantageWest   
Keynote: Science and Technology Policy and Human Capital Development
Bob McMahan, Senior Advisor to the Governor for Science and Technolgy
Moderator: Alan Thornburg, Institute for the Economy and the Future, WCU

[Session III:  Biodiversity in Western North Carolina]

1:55  The All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) at Great Smoky Mtns. National Park
Keith Langdon, Inventory and Monitoring Coordinator, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
2:15  The Role of Natural History Collections in Plant Biodiversity Studies
Kathy Mathews, Department of Biology, WCU
2:35  ‘Astronomical’ Diversity of Bacteria in Soils from Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Sean O’Connell, Department of Biology, WCU
2:55  The Distribution of Heritage Brook Trout in Western North Carolina
Tom Martin, Department of Biology, WCU
Moderator: Mack Powell, Department of Biology, WCU

[Session IV:  Academic Business Interface]   

3:25  The Use of Insect Pheromones for Pest Management as an Alternative to Pesticides
Cynthia Atterholt, Department of Chemistry & Physics, WCU
3:45  Forest Fodder: History and Recent Studies of the Natural Products Laboratory at Research Triangle Institute
Nicholas Oberlies, Research Triangle Institute
4:05  Moving US Technology Forward: The Impact of Research by Small Companies
Peter Newsome, PharmAgra Labs Inc., Brevard
Moderator: Jonathan Snover, Department of Chemistry & Physics, WCU

[Closing Remarks]

4:25  Applications of Conference Topics to Regional Development
Alphonse Buccino, Institute for the Economy and the Future, WCU
William “Tilt” Thompkins, Institute for the Economy and the Future, WCU
Alan Thornburg, Institute for the Economy and the Future, WCU
Moderator: Paul Evans, Institute for the Economy and the Future, WCU