What is the future of Textiles in RI and how does your company fit in? Find out at the inauguration of an annual “Future Textiles Forum” at URI!

Made possible with the participation of URI students and faculty from Textiles, Engineering and Business, RITIN members and other textile industry partners, and representatives from RI government.

DESCRIPTION

At this event we will inaugurate an annual “Future Textiles Forum” at URI, to guide future curriculum development, research, and grantwriting, with the participation of URI students, faculty from Textiles, Engineering, and Business, RITIN members and other textile industry partners, and representatives from RI government.

PANEL DISCUSSION

A panel involved in textile research and future development will offer insights into their work and the implications for future production and capabilities in Rhode Island:

• Dr. Izabela Ciesielska-Wrobel, Assist. Professor Textile Science, Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design, College of Business, URI
• Dr. Kunal Mankodiya, Director-Wearable Biosensing Lab, Co-Founder-EchoWear, Director-URI Biomedical Engineering Program
• Rob Torgerson, VP and owner Kestrel Innovative Fibers LLC
• Jim Owens, Principal, Nautilus Defense
• Moderator: Dr. Karl Aspelund, Associate Director, Honors Program; Associate Professor Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design, College of Business, URI

PRESENTATIONS

• Student research teams in the Honors “Circular Economies” seminar (HPR412,) will present “lighting rounds” of their investigations into circular economies of textiles and other products.

FORMATION OF A “FUTURE TEXTILES COUNCIL”

• Finally, we will present and inaugurate the Rhode Island Future Textile Council to be made up of representatives from the above-mentioned groups.

NOTED ATTENDEES

The President of the University of Rhode Island, Dr. Marc Parlange, will join us for the start of the event.

Nisa Pistacchio, Projects Director for U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, will attend on the Senator’s behalf.

REFRESHMENTS

Coffee, tea, fruit, and pastries will be served.