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SESSION 1 // 9:15–10AM

Nuclear Energy: Now and Onward

Seungjin Kim, Capt. James F. McCarthy Jr. and Cheryl E. McCarthy Head and Professor of Nuclear Engineering // College of Engineering
Kim will provide an overview of how nuclear power reactors have evolved from the late 1950s to the present, highlighting key technological milestones and the unique attributes of advanced reactor (AR) technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs). He will introduce Purdue’s leadership in this field and share how they are focusing on efforts to address the technical and educational needs for SMR and AR deployment, including nuclear workforce development.

From Microbes to Medicines

Betsy Parkinson, Associate Professor // Colleges of Science and Pharmacy
The soil-dwelling bacterium Streptomyces produces many natural products that humans use as medicines. Analysis of their DNA suggests these bacteria have the potential to produce more products, but they do not make them under standard laboratory conditions. Parkinson will share how to computationally predict these natural products from their genomes and develop methods to access products, especially those with interesting bioactivities.

One Health: Bringing AI and Machine Learning to Cancer Research

Nadia Lanman, Research Associate Professor for the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research and the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Manager of Collaborative Core for Cancer Bioinformatics, and Director of Computational Genomics Shared Resource // College of Veterinary Medicine

Andrew Mesecar, Robert W. Miller Director of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry, Walther Professor of Cancer Structural Biology, and Assistant Vice President of Research // Colleges of Agriculture and Science

Deborah Knapp, Dolores L. McCall Professor and Distinguished Professor of Comparative Oncology, Director of the Evan and Sue Ann Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center // College of Veterinary Medicine
For more than three decades, research on the striking similarities between invasive bladder cancer in dogs and humans has focused on separate aspects of the disease, such as risk factors, early detection, symptoms, treatment, and gene expression. Mesecar, Lanman, and Knapp are involved in a new project at Purdue that combines many types of data into a “digital twin” model of bladder cancer—one that may prove powerful enough to predict patient outcomes, starting with the probability of metastasis in both dogs and humans. By building two comprehensive models—one focused on canine data and one on human data—both will help inform each other, leading to discovery and innovation in cancer treatment. Methods employed by our Computational Genomics and Collaborative Core for Cancer Bioinformatics are bringing AI and machine learning techniques to cancer research in a uniquely Purdue way.

SESSION 2 // 10:15–11AM

Virtual Reality Meets Health-Care Education

Ann Loomis, Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Undergraduate Evaluation and Strategic Innovations // College of Health and Human Sciences

Amy Nagle, Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Simulation // College of Health and Human Sciences
Nagle and Loomis will showcase how the Purdue School of Nursing is using immersive virtual reality (VR) to revolutionize health-care education. In this session, they will explore a three-dimensional interactive heart model that helps students visualize cardiac anatomy and acute MI treatment, and an immersive VR experience that can foster prioritization and delegation in senior nursing students. This innovative approach is part of a broader initiative to develop collaborative VR experiences for nursing, speech-language pathology, and dietetics students, promoting interprofessional education and teamwork. Learn how this cutting-edge technology aligns with Purdue’s One Health initiative, and discover its potential to shape the future of health-care training. The School of Nursing is pioneering immersive learning through innovation and collaboration to empower the next generation of health-care heroes.

New Leadership, Endless Opportunities

Bret D. Marsh, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Chief Executive Officer of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, and Clinical Professor of Veterinary Medicine // College of Veterinary Medicine
Marsh will share reflections from his first year leading the College of Veterinary Medicine. He will review the college’s priorities for advancing education, research, and clinical services, while highlighting its role in the One Health initiative. As the college continues its vital mission of educating the next generation of veterinarians, Marsh will also share opportunities for collaboration and growth.

A Time Machine to the Early Solar System

Michelle Thompson, Associate Professor of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences // College of Science
OSIRIS-REx was NASA’s first mission to return samples from an asteroid. Having formed in our solar system 4.5 billion years ago, asteroids can serve as time capsules. Studying these samples allows us to ask: What are the organic building blocks of life that were delivered to an early Earth? How much water was available in the early solar system? How have solar system bodies evolved over billions of years? Journey with us to return samples from asteroid Bennu and reveal the history of Earth and the solar system.

SESSION 3 // 11:15AM–Noon

Targeting Epigenetics for Cancer Therapy

Emily Dykhuizen, Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology // College of Pharmacy
Epigenetic regulation occurs through chromatin—the term used to describe how DNA is packaged and organized within the cell. Hundreds of proteins that control chromatin structure play key roles in driving cancers toward more aggressive, therapy-resistant states. Dykhuizen will share how her work focuses on identifying chromatin regulators in both cancer cells and the immune microenvironment that promote cancer progression and on developing strategies to target them.

New Academic Programs in Indianapolis

David M. Umulis, Senior Vice Provost // Purdue University in Indianapolis
In this session, Umulis will share the mission and vision of Purdue University in Indianapolis and outcomes from the first year. He will also provide an exciting dive into the future of Purdue University in Indianapolis.

Your Next Smart Investment: Giving Real Estate

Chase V. Magnuson, President // Real Estate for Charities

Allen F. Thomas, President // Thomas Charitable Advisors

Marcus Knotts, Senior Vice President of Development // Purdue for Life Foundation
Discover how a gift of real estate can transform an underused or appreciated asset into lasting impact for future generations. Knotts, Magnuson, and Thomas will walk through the benefits of donating property—from tax advantages to creating a meaningful legacy—and why, for many donors, it’s a natural and practical choice. Learn how easy it can be to make a gift that not only simplifies your plan but also strengthens the university we all care about.

SESSION 1 // 9:15–10AM

Nuclear Energy: Now and Onward

Seungjin Kim, Capt. James F. McCarthy Jr. and Cheryl E. McCarthy Head and Professor of Nuclear Engineering // College of Engineering
Kim will provide an overview of how nuclear power reactors have evolved from the late 1950s to the present, highlighting key technological milestones and the unique attributes of advanced reactor (AR) technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs). He will introduce Purdue’s leadership in this field and share how they are focusing on efforts to address the technical and educational needs for SMR and AR deployment, including nuclear workforce development.

From Microbes to Medicines

Betsy Parkinson, Associate Professor // Colleges of Science and Pharmacy
The soil-dwelling bacterium Streptomyces produces many natural products that humans use as medicines. Analysis of their DNA suggests these bacteria have the potential to produce more products, but they do not make them under standard laboratory conditions. Parkinson will share how to computationally predict these natural products from their genomes and develop methods to access products, especially those with interesting bioactivities.

One Health: Bringing AI and Machine Learning to Cancer Research

Nadia Lanman, Research Associate Professor for the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research and the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Manager of Collaborative Core for Cancer Bioinformatics, and Director of Computational Genomics Shared Resource // College of Veterinary Medicine

Andrew Mesecar, Robert W. Miller Director of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry, Walther Professor of Cancer Structural Biology, and Assistant Vice President of Research // Colleges of Agriculture and Science

Deborah Knapp, Dolores L. McCall Professor and Distinguished Professor of Comparative Oncology, Director of the Evan and Sue Ann Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center // College of Veterinary Medicine
For more than three decades, research on the striking similarities between invasive bladder cancer in dogs and humans has focused on separate aspects of the disease, such as risk factors, early detection, symptoms, treatment, and gene expression. Mesecar, Lanman, and Knapp are involved in a new project at Purdue that combines many types of data into a “digital twin” model of bladder cancer—one that may prove powerful enough to predict patient outcomes, starting with the probability of metastasis in both dogs and humans. By building two comprehensive models—one focused on canine data and one on human data—both will help inform each other, leading to discovery and innovation in cancer treatment. Methods employed by our Computational Genomics and Collaborative Core for Cancer Bioinformatics are bringing AI and machine learning techniques to cancer research in a uniquely Purdue way.

SESSION 2 // 10:15–11AM

Virtual Reality Meets Health-Care Education

Ann Loomis, Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Undergraduate Evaluation and Strategic Innovations // College of Health and Human Sciences

Amy Nagle, Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Simulation // College of Health and Human Sciences
Nagle and Loomis will showcase how the Purdue School of Nursing is using immersive virtual reality (VR) to revolutionize health-care education. In this session, they will explore a three-dimensional interactive heart model that helps students visualize cardiac anatomy and acute MI treatment, and an immersive VR experience that can foster prioritization and delegation in senior nursing students. This innovative approach is part of a broader initiative to develop collaborative VR experiences for nursing, speech-language pathology, and dietetics students, promoting interprofessional education and teamwork. Learn how this cutting-edge technology aligns with Purdue’s One Health initiative, and discover its potential to shape the future of health-care training. The School of Nursing is pioneering immersive learning through innovation and collaboration to empower the next generation of health-care heroes.

New Leadership, Endless Opportunities

Bret D. Marsh, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Chief Executive Officer of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, and Clinical Professor of Veterinary Medicine // College of Veterinary Medicine
Marsh will share reflections from his first year leading the College of Veterinary Medicine. He will review the college’s priorities for advancing education, research, and clinical services, while highlighting its role in the One Health initiative. As the college continues its vital mission of educating the next generation of veterinarians, Marsh will also share opportunities for collaboration and growth.

A Time Machine to the Early Solar System

Michelle Thompson, Associate Professor of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences // College of Science
OSIRIS-REx was NASA’s first mission to return samples from an asteroid. Having formed in our solar system 4.5 billion years ago, asteroids can serve as time capsules. Studying these samples allows us to ask: What are the organic building blocks of life that were delivered to an early Earth? How much water was available in the early solar system? How have solar system bodies evolved over billions of years? Journey with us to return samples from asteroid Bennu and reveal the history of Earth and the solar system.

SESSION 3 // 11:15AM–Noon

Targeting Epigenetics for Cancer Therapy

Emily Dykhuizen, Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology // College of Pharmacy
Epigenetic regulation occurs through chromatin—the term used to describe how DNA is packaged and organized within the cell. Hundreds of proteins that control chromatin structure play key roles in driving cancers toward more aggressive, therapy-resistant states. Dykhuizen will share how her work focuses on identifying chromatin regulators in both cancer cells and the immune microenvironment that promote cancer progression and on developing strategies to target them.

New Academic Programs in Indianapolis

David M. Umulis, Senior Vice Provost // Purdue University in Indianapolis
In this session, Umulis will share the mission and vision of Purdue University in Indianapolis and outcomes from the first year. He will also provide an exciting dive into the future of Purdue University in Indianapolis.

Your Next Smart Investment: Giving Real Estate

Chase V. Magnuson, President // Real Estate for Charities

Allen F. Thomas, President // Thomas Charitable Advisors

Marcus Knotts, Senior Vice President of Development // Purdue for Life Foundation
Discover how a gift of real estate can transform an underused or appreciated asset into lasting impact for future generations. Knotts, Magnuson, and Thomas will walk through the benefits of donating property—from tax advantages to creating a meaningful legacy—and why, for many donors, it’s a natural and practical choice. Learn how easy it can be to make a gift that not only simplifies your plan but also strengthens the university we all care about.

All Back to Class sessions are free.

Session One // 9:15–10 am
Stephanie Stahl // Colead


Sleep Medicine Physician and Neurologist at Indiana University (IU) Health, Director of the Sleep Medicine Fellowship Program at IU, and Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology at IU

Shannon DaSilva

(T’03)

Commander // Space Delta 10 // Space Training and Readiness Command // Patrick Space Force

DaSilva leads the Space Force’s organization for doctrine, tactics, and concepts development as well as the service’s Lessons Learned Program and STARCOM wargaming series. Prior to this role, she was the deputy director of operations for Space Systems Command, where she led the Assured Access to Space enterprise team and was responsible for launch manifesting, integration, spaceflight worthiness, and current operations. DaSilva also previously served as the director for joint matters of the headquarters Space Force staff and deputy director of space strategy and plans for the assistant secretary of defense for space policy. DaSilva will speak during the panel discussion “Forged in Service: Leading in the Military with Strength and Purpose.”
Lee Ann De Reus

(MS HHS’92, PhD HHS’97)

Founder and President // Badass University

De Reus inspires and guides women to own their power through her signature “Wild Woman” workshops and transformational one-on-one coaching. With experience as a professor, nonprofit executive, and entrepreneur, she blends her expertise in family systems, gender justice, gender-based violence, and leadership to help women unlock their potential, live their truth, and take bold action to create meaningful change in their lives, communities, and the world. Along with 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Denis Mukwege, De Reus founded the Panzi Foundation, a nonprofit that assists survivors of gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. De Reus’s presentation is called “Waking the Wild Woman Within.”
Julie Dussliere

(LA’94)

President and CEO // Purdue for Life Foundation

Dussliere began at Purdue for Life in the fall of 2024, overseeing all aspects of alumni-facing organizations—including the Purdue Alumni Association, President’s Council, and the John Purdue Club—as well as development, alumni engagement, and more. Prior to this, she was an executive with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). She started working with the USOPC in 2003, rising to senior vice president, chief of Paralympic sport in 2018 and then senior vice president, chief of Paralympics and internally managed sports in 2022. In 2018, Dussliere was appointed president of the Americas Paralympic Committee, becoming the first woman and first U.S. representative to lead the organization. She coached swimming for more than a decade before moving into her successful career in sport administration. Dussliere will conduct the fireside chat with Kathleen Sarpy on Thursday.
Jillian Henry

(T’04)

Chief Engagement Officer // Purdue for Life Foundation

Henry is responsible for Purdue for Life’s alumni engagement efforts, including clubs and affinity networks, volunteerism, mentorship, lifelong learning, and travel programs. She previously was vice president of organizational development and strategic leadership for the Purdue Alumni Association and corporate secretary for the association’s board of directors. She still serves as governance counsel for the board as a nonvoting member. She has received extensive training in facilitation, grant writing, fundraising, creative problem-solving, accelerated learning, and appreciative inquiry. Henry will share the welcome and closing remarks.
Sarah Lerner-Mantel

Cofounder and Managing Partner // Roll Tack Ventures

Lerner-Mantel backs exceptional founders and high-growth startups with technologies their customers will enjoy. She previously built and sold a technology startup and led operational innovation in data strategy and platform technologies at Wayfair. Lerner-Mantel will conduct the fireside chat with Julie Wainwright on Friday.
Session Two // 10:15–11 am
Stephanie Stahl // Colead


Sleep Medicine Physician and Neurologist at Indiana University (IU) Health, Director of the Sleep Medicine Fellowship Program at IU, and Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology at IU

Shannon DaSilva

(T’03)

Commander // Space Delta 10 // Space Training and Readiness Command // Patrick Space Force

DaSilva leads the Space Force’s organization for doctrine, tactics, and concepts development as well as the service’s Lessons Learned Program and STARCOM wargaming series. Prior to this role, she was the deputy director of operations for Space Systems Command, where she led the Assured Access to Space enterprise team and was responsible for launch manifesting, integration, spaceflight worthiness, and current operations. DaSilva also previously served as the director for joint matters of the headquarters Space Force staff and deputy director of space strategy and plans for the assistant secretary of defense for space policy. DaSilva will speak during the panel discussion “Forged in Service: Leading in the Military with Strength and Purpose.”
Lee Ann De Reus

(MS HHS’92, PhD HHS’97)

Founder and President // Badass University

De Reus inspires and guides women to own their power through her signature “Wild Woman” workshops and transformational one-on-one coaching. With experience as a professor, nonprofit executive, and entrepreneur, she blends her expertise in family systems, gender justice, gender-based violence, and leadership to help women unlock their potential, live their truth, and take bold action to create meaningful change in their lives, communities, and the world. Along with 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Denis Mukwege, De Reus founded the Panzi Foundation, a nonprofit that assists survivors of gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. De Reus’s presentation is called “Waking the Wild Woman Within.”
Julie Dussliere

(LA’94)

President and CEO // Purdue for Life Foundation

Dussliere began at Purdue for Life in the fall of 2024, overseeing all aspects of alumni-facing organizations—including the Purdue Alumni Association, President’s Council, and the John Purdue Club—as well as development, alumni engagement, and more. Prior to this, she was an executive with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). She started working with the USOPC in 2003, rising to senior vice president, chief of Paralympic sport in 2018 and then senior vice president, chief of Paralympics and internally managed sports in 2022. In 2018, Dussliere was appointed president of the Americas Paralympic Committee, becoming the first woman and first U.S. representative to lead the organization. She coached swimming for more than a decade before moving into her successful career in sport administration. Dussliere will conduct the fireside chat with Kathleen Sarpy on Thursday.
Jillian Henry

(T’04)

Chief Engagement Officer // Purdue for Life Foundation

Henry is responsible for Purdue for Life’s alumni engagement efforts, including clubs and affinity networks, volunteerism, mentorship, lifelong learning, and travel programs. She previously was vice president of organizational development and strategic leadership for the Purdue Alumni Association and corporate secretary for the association’s board of directors. She still serves as governance counsel for the board as a nonvoting member. She has received extensive training in facilitation, grant writing, fundraising, creative problem-solving, accelerated learning, and appreciative inquiry. Henry will share the welcome and closing remarks.
Sarah Lerner-Mantel

Cofounder and Managing Partner // Roll Tack Ventures

Lerner-Mantel backs exceptional founders and high-growth startups with technologies their customers will enjoy. She previously built and sold a technology startup and led operational innovation in data strategy and platform technologies at Wayfair. Lerner-Mantel will conduct the fireside chat with Julie Wainwright on Friday.
Session Three // 11:15 am–Noon
Stephanie Stahl // Colead


Sleep Medicine Physician and Neurologist at Indiana University (IU) Health, Director of the Sleep Medicine Fellowship Program at IU, and Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology at IU

Shannon DaSilva

(T’03)

Commander // Space Delta 10 // Space Training and Readiness Command // Patrick Space Force

DaSilva leads the Space Force’s organization for doctrine, tactics, and concepts development as well as the service’s Lessons Learned Program and STARCOM wargaming series. Prior to this role, she was the deputy director of operations for Space Systems Command, where she led the Assured Access to Space enterprise team and was responsible for launch manifesting, integration, spaceflight worthiness, and current operations. DaSilva also previously served as the director for joint matters of the headquarters Space Force staff and deputy director of space strategy and plans for the assistant secretary of defense for space policy. DaSilva will speak during the panel discussion “Forged in Service: Leading in the Military with Strength and Purpose.”
Lee Ann De Reus

(MS HHS’92, PhD HHS’97)

Founder and President // Badass University

De Reus inspires and guides women to own their power through her signature “Wild Woman” workshops and transformational one-on-one coaching. With experience as a professor, nonprofit executive, and entrepreneur, she blends her expertise in family systems, gender justice, gender-based violence, and leadership to help women unlock their potential, live their truth, and take bold action to create meaningful change in their lives, communities, and the world. Along with 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Denis Mukwege, De Reus founded the Panzi Foundation, a nonprofit that assists survivors of gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. De Reus’s presentation is called “Waking the Wild Woman Within.”
Julie Dussliere

(LA’94)

President and CEO // Purdue for Life Foundation

Dussliere began at Purdue for Life in the fall of 2024, overseeing all aspects of alumni-facing organizations—including the Purdue Alumni Association, President’s Council, and the John Purdue Club—as well as development, alumni engagement, and more. Prior to this, she was an executive with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). She started working with the USOPC in 2003, rising to senior vice president, chief of Paralympic sport in 2018 and then senior vice president, chief of Paralympics and internally managed sports in 2022. In 2018, Dussliere was appointed president of the Americas Paralympic Committee, becoming the first woman and first U.S. representative to lead the organization. She coached swimming for more than a decade before moving into her successful career in sport administration. Dussliere will conduct the fireside chat with Kathleen Sarpy on Thursday.
Jillian Henry

(T’04)

Chief Engagement Officer // Purdue for Life Foundation

Henry is responsible for Purdue for Life’s alumni engagement efforts, including clubs and affinity networks, volunteerism, mentorship, lifelong learning, and travel programs. She previously was vice president of organizational development and strategic leadership for the Purdue Alumni Association and corporate secretary for the association’s board of directors. She still serves as governance counsel for the board as a nonvoting member. She has received extensive training in facilitation, grant writing, fundraising, creative problem-solving, accelerated learning, and appreciative inquiry. Henry will share the welcome and closing remarks.
Sarah Lerner-Mantel

Cofounder and Managing Partner // Roll Tack Ventures

Lerner-Mantel backs exceptional founders and high-growth startups with technologies their customers will enjoy. She previously built and sold a technology startup and led operational innovation in data strategy and platform technologies at Wayfair. Lerner-Mantel will conduct the fireside chat with Julie Wainwright on Friday.

Last modified: November 9, 2025

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