Sustainable Lab Showcase – Simpson Querrey – Tuesday, September 13
Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center – 303 E Superior, Chicago
Registration Fee – $45
Tuesday, September 13, 2022; 5:30 – 8:30 PM CDT – In Person
Join The Chicago Council on Science and Technology (C2ST) and The International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) Great Lakes Chapter for a night exploring sustainable design and the research occurring at the Northwestern University Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center (NU SQBRC) with a Pecha Kucha, building tours, and reception.
The Northwestern University Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center (NU SQBRC) promotes research collaboration that impacts the practice of medicine and improves human health by investigating nanomaterials, bionanotechnology, cancer biology, neurobiology, the origin of diseases, molecular genetics, immune deviation, and diseases, to name a few.
Phase one constructed nearly 600,000 square feet of research and support spaces, with future phases to add up to another 16 floors. This project brings together physicians and scientists from Northwestern University, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, The Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
NU SQBRC has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The facility is the largest biomedical academic research building in the United States. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a USGBC program that recognizes building designs that are resource efficient and cost effective while providing a healthier and greener lifestyle for building occupants.
Event Details:
Tuesday, September 13th from 5:30 – 8:30pm CT, in person at the Northwestern University Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center. Check in begins at 5:30pm, followed by Pecha Kucha style talks, and ending with a reception (Open Bar & light hors d’oeuvres) and various tours including tours of the laboratory & mechanical floors!
In-person address:
303 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611
This program will be hosted in person at the Northwestern University Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center. I2SL will work with our partners to ensure that COVID protocols put in place by the CDC, and the city at large, are followed and well-communicated. COVID protocols, and any other emergent information will be emailed to all registrants the week of the program.
Because this program is in-person, tickets will be limited, so please register early! If you are unable, or decide not to attend, we ask that you let us know so that we can provide the tickets to anyone else who is interested. Thank you for your understanding.
Notice 1: As a guest of the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) Great Lakes Chapter , you agree to be photographed, videotaped, or filmed and grant I2SL permission to put the finished footage/photography to any uses that it may deem proper including marketing, advertising (print, radio, and television) and PR-related activities.
Speakers:
Dr. Liam Palmer, SQI Faculty Member and Director of Research

Liam Palmer is interested in using molecular design to control the structure and function of soft materials. Directional intermolecular interactions, like peptide hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking, offer great opportunities to tune the symmetry, morphology, and cohesiveness of materials from the nano to the macroscopic scale. These materials can be applied to a wide range of biological and bio-inspired applications.
Dr. Anthony Banks, QSIB Director of Engineering Research

Anthony Banks has over 30 years of experience in academic research, with thirteen years as a member of the Rogers Research Group at University of Illinois and currently as a key member of the Center for Bio-Integrated Electronics. He has co-authored more than 20 publication during this time. Banks has managed large groups of postdoctoral fellows, research associates and graduate students in a range of multidisciplinary topics, from low temperature physics, to flexible electronics, photovoltaics, microfluidics and micro-electromechanical systems. He is skilled in direct, hand-on efforts in advanced technology and instrumentation development. His experience is distinguished not only by accomplishment in academic research but also, particularly in the past 12 years, in transfer of academic innovations to companies, both large (e.g. Loreal, Medtronic, Reebok and others) and small (MC10, Semprius, CoolEdge Lighting, NeuroLux, Wearifi, EpiCore and others) for scalable commercial product manufacturing. Banks served as Chief Technical Officer for AJA International, an international manufacturing company with a portfolio of products in the research and development sector. He also is co-inventor on several patents, and he is a private research consultant and co-founder of NeuroLux and Wearifi.
Representative from Perkins & Will and Design Team TBA!
More Speakers TBA!
This program brought to you in partnership with:

I2SL Great Lakes Chapter
I2SL Great Lakes Chapter specializes in training and education, research through international and industry collaboration, and technical assistance to help improve the energy and environmental sustainability of laboratories and related high-technology facilities.