In Pictures: EARTH's October 2025 Industry Forum

What does a forum look like? When it gathers researchers from six universities and professionals representing more than 20 companies, it looks happy and productive. For the digital experience, click on each photo to enlarge it and read the caption.
A group of people standing on a footbal field for a photo
<em>Touchdown, Team EARTH!</em> Faculty, staff, students, and industry consortium members pose for a group photo on the field at David Booth Memorial Stadium, University of Kansas.
A man in a jakcet and tie pointing to something off screen
<em>Watch this!</em> EARTH Center Director Mark Shiflett points to the jumbotron at KU’s football field while EARTH’s “year one impact” video plays. Dennis Knight, former president of industry association ASHRAE, and KU Professor Aaron Scurto, are in the foreground as other guests look on.
A jumbotron viewed from the far end of a football field
<em>Guess who’s on the jumbotron.</em> Lehigh University Graduate Research Assistant Cherry Mae Ravidas gets a few seconds of fame by appearing in EARTH’s “year one impact” video playing on KU’s jumbotron.
A woman sitting in a chair talking with two men on the sidelines of a football field
<em>Having a field day.</em> Lori Shiflett, Nurse Practitioner at the University of Kansas Health System, shares a laugh with KU Professor Aaron Scurto and University of Notre Dame Professor Ed Maginn. EARTH Education Director Jennifer Sprague is standing behind Ms. Shiflett.
A man and woman smile and pose for a photo in the middle of a football field
<em>Looking forward.</em> EARTH Center Director Mark Shiflett and Engineering Workforce Development Lead Susan Williams pose on the field at David Booth Memorial Stadium, University of Kansas.
A man with glasses speaking to a room of people
<em>Stellar speaker.</em> Industry forum guests said they felt energized and optimistic after listening to a keynote speech by Dennis Knight, former president of ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers).
3 people posing with a person in a Jayhawk suit
<em>Coming full circle.</em> University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod poses with Icorium Engineering Company Founder/CEO Dr. Kalin Baca, Head of Research & Development Dr. Abby Harders, and University of Kansas mascot Big Jay during the EARTH Research Poster Session. Baca and Harders developed the idea for their company while studying at KU.
Two men in jackets and ties talking
<em>Common ground.</em> University of Notre Dame Professor Ed Maginn speaks with Chuck Allgood, technology fellow at Chemours and chair of EARTH’s Industrial Advertising Board, while viewing posters highlighting EARTH research.
A group of four people playing stringed instruments
<em>Hitting every note.</em> KU School of Music students Sofia Lefort, Macy Garey, Oscar Ohly, and Melanie Lysaught entertain industry forum guests with their wonderful violin and cello performance.
A woman talking about the information on a poster to a man
<em>The only constant is change.</em> University of Hawai’i Professor Christina Karamperidou engages in a lively conservation about atmospheric change with University of Notre Dame doctoral student Kathan Desi.
a group of people seated at a table listening to a speaker
<em>Engaged minds and shared insights.</em> Sara Kampfe and Mike Saunders (to her left) represented industry partner Copeland at the forum. Seated with them are, from front to back: Johnson County Community College Professors Mike Steinmetz and Jhonatan Vallejo, and University of Kansas graduate student Kevin Turner.
3 men on a stage wearing baseball caps
<em>Merch moment!</em> Center Director Mark Shiflett and EARTH Industrial Liaison Officer Casey Williams sport some killer swag courtesy of Chiller Services CEO Steve Harrill, who is co-chair of EARTH’s Industrial Advisory Board. A video recapping the day’s events plays behind them.