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Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) Sustainability and Social Innovation Research Conference

Welcome to the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) Sustainability and Social Innovation Research Conference held at Northern Illinois University on September 25-26, 2025.

This gathering will provide a forum for university faculty, students, program managers and real-world innovators from across Illinois to discuss and learn about sustainability- and social innovation-related projects. This is a remarkable opportunity to develop connections with potential collaborators on issues that are important to Illinois.

The conference and workshop will be held at the Holmes Student Center (HSC) on the Northern Illinois University campus. Thursday afternoon will feature research-related discussions followed by a screening of the documentary What's Left Behind (created with support from an IIN Social Innovation and Impact Seed Grant).

Friday will feature a keynote address followed by speaker sessions and poster session on sustainability and social innovation research, along with a workshop focused on social innovation project development.

Conference Registration

Interested in attending? Conference registration is $20 (which includes hors d'oeuvres on Sept. 25 and breakfast and lunch on Sept. 26) and is waived for all students. All innovators and members of the public are welcome to attend.

conference registration

Tracks and Speakers

The Sustainability Research Conference and Social Innovation Workshop is currently accepting abstracts for posters and oral presentations. If you are interested in presenting your work, submit an abstract no later than Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.

Submit an abstract

Submission Details

Abstract submissions should be relevant to one of five tracks:

10:15-11:45 a.m., moderated by Matthew Deitch, Northern Illinois University

Communities across Illinois are facing rising temperatures, more intense storms, drought and shifting ecosystems. This track explores how rural, suburban and urban areas are building resilience—through social, technical, ecological and policy innovations. This track brings together climate scientists, engineers, social scientists and on-the-ground innovators who are engaging the intersection of risk, place and justice.

  • Going for The Green (Money that is): A Business Case for Environmental Protection, Jeff Anstine, North Central College
  • Tweeting to Sustain Communities: Using Machine Learning to Understand and Improve Social Media Outreach, Colin Kuehl, Northern Illinois University
  • Adaptations: Exploring Bottom-Up Resilience Planning, Mark Schuller, Northern Illinois University
  • Grass Roots to Resilience: Food as an Agent of Change, Dan Kenney, DeKalb County Community Gardens/Rooted For Good
  • Flood Modeling and Its Impacts on Communities in the Kishwaukee River Watershed, IL, Love Kumar, Illinois State Hydrologic Survey

2-3:30 p.m., moderated by Todd Rusk, EnergySense Resilience Center

Illinois’ future depends on infrastructure that is smart, clean, and resilient. This track features research on next-generation systems for energy, transportation, water, communications, and waste to solve real-world infrastructure problems, especially in ways that improve equity, resilience, and efficiency across Illinois' diverse regions.

  • Panel Introduction: Continuing Need for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Development to Support our Energy Infrastructure, Todd Rusk, EnergySense Resilience Center
  • Sustainable Infrastructure at the Illinois Department of Transportation, Elizabeth Irvin, Illinois Department of Transportation
  • Fitness for Purpose of Sensor Systems for Infrastructure Health, Kevin Martin, Northern Illinois University
  • Transitioning Public Water Infrastructure to Resiliency, John DeRosa, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Office of Energy
  • IGEN and Green Infrastructure at Community Colleges, David Husemoller, Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN)
  • Students in a GenEd course learn the complexity of sustainability by deeply examining the lifecycle of a charger cable, Theodore Hogan, Northern Illinois University
  • Biodegradable Circuit Boards From Crop Waste: Promoting Homegrown Solutions for the Global E-Waste Crisis, Ryan Mueller, Northern Illinois University

2-3:30 p.m., moderated by Emily McKee, Northern Illinois University

Food systems connect agricultural science, ecology, economics, nutrition, and culture. This track highlights interdisciplinary approaches to food production, land stewardship, distribution, and access. Researchers in agronomy, biology, engineering, public health, and planning will share insights that promote food systems that are both sustainable and equitable.

  • Smart Agriculture with IoT-Integrated Printed Electrochemical and OECT Sensors for Continuous Crop Stress Monitoring, Vinay Budhraja, Northern Illinois University
  • NIU Bioplastics Lab: Circular Biocomposites from Regional Residues, Mahdi Vaezi, Northern Illinois University
  • Implications of Management Style on Fecal Microbiome of Bison Herds , Ritesh Ray, Northern Illinois University
  • A One Health Approach to Combating Antimicrobial Resistance in Food and Water Systems, Pallavi Singh, Northern Illinois University
  • Leveraging Strengths for Food and Environmental Justice: The Benefits and Challenges of Building Communiversity Gardens from the Ground Up, Kris Borre, Northern Illinois University

2-3:30 p.m., moderated by Holly Jones, Northern Illinois University

Healthy ecosystems support biodiversity, clean water, and human well-being. This track features research on ecological restoration, conservation science, and nature-based solutions through perspectives of biology, geospatial analysis, environmental chemistry, policy studies, and public health.

  • Blanding's Turtles as Umbrella Species for Ecosystem Health, Callie Klatt Golba, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences
  • Who is buzzing inside and outside mosquitoes? Shicheng Chen, Northern Illinois University
  • Restoration in contaminated landscapes: Are we helping or hurting bee conservation efforts?, Alexandra Harmon-Threatt, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
  • Mobile Robotic Platform for Sustainability Innovation: A Continuously Learning and Living Lab Approach (Ecobot), Peter Lin, Northern Illinois University

10:15-11:45 a.m., moderated by Molly Lamb, University of Illinois Springfield

Social innovation translates research into activities that directly affect lives, address complex social problems, build trusted partnerships in the community, demonstrate longer-term engagement or depth of engagement, and are scalable or replicable. This session highlights interdisciplinary approaches, community-based participatory methods and the co-creation of solutions with stakeholders.

  • Teaching Design-Thinking for Social Innovation: A Model to Promote Student-Centered Community Engagement, Alastair Merrett, Design for America, and Chris Merrett, Western Illinois University
  • Teaching Design-Thinking for Social Innovation: Beloit College's Human-centered approach to collaborative community innovation, Brian Morello and Brett Gabrielatos, Beloit College
  • Design Thinking for Social Impact: Community-engaged learning for college students, Sue Lafferty, North Central College
  • Designing Wellness: Translating Research into Systemic Change through the District 87 Wellness Collaborative, Emily Jones, Illinois State University

10:15-11:45 a.m., moderated by Pallavi Singh, Northern Illinois University

Public health is foundational to thriving communities, equitable development, and environmental sustainability. This panel features research and dialogue on health promotion, disease prevention, and the social determinants of health—from urban planning and ecological exposures to mental health, healthcare access, and beyond. Through individual research presentations and collaborative discussion, this panel will highlight innovative strategies, cross-sector partnerships, and community-driven solutions that link public health with sustainability and social innovation.

  • Role of Plant bioactives in gut health, Lavanya Reddivari, Purdue University
  • Engaging Technology, Empowering Caregivers, and Sustaining Aging Communities, Naoko Muramatsu, University of Illinois, Chicago
  • ReviveXR: A Mixed Reality-Based Naloxone Training to Enhance Overdose Response Skills in Diverse Community Settings, Wasantha Jayawardene, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
  • SDoH-Informed, AI-Driven STI Prediction and Youth-Centered Interventions Across Illinois, Hyoil Han, Illinois State University
  • Advancing Digital Health Equity Through Community-Engaged Innovation: STEHL, BRIDGE, and DigiHEART-Link, Anitha Sarvanan, Northern Illinois University
  • Low-cost paper-based diagnostics for sustainable healthcare practices in resource-poor locations, Venumadhav Korampally, Northern Illinois University

Notifications and Printing

Notifications for abstracts that are submitted by the deadline will be sent by Monday, Sept. 15. Poster notifications may arrive within a few days of submission.

Poster easels accommodate up to 36 x 48 inches. IIN and NIU cannot pay for poster printing, but your university library or professional development program often provides competitive options.

Conference Schedule

Thursday, Sept. 25
Holmes Student Center, Capitol Room
Time Event
3-3:25 p.m. Check-in
3:25-3:30 p.m. Welcome
3:30-4:20 p.m. Illinois Soybean Association Springboard 2025 Seed Funding Awards Ceremony and 2026 Program Announcement
4:20-4:30 p.m. Break
4:30-5:50 p.m. Social Innovation Documentary: What's Left Behind
5:50-6 p.m. Break
6-6:40 p.m.

Panel Discussion on Documentary

Ruby Mendenhall, Ph.D., University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Gina Grant, M.Ed., CoreKind Founder and CEO
Tracie Pape, LCSW, Compass Health Center, Associate Director
6:40-7 p.m. Networking Reception or Dinner on your own

Friday, Sept. 26
Holmes Student Center, Duke Ellington Ballroom
Time Event
8-9 a.m. Breakfast, Check-in
9-9:05 a.m. Welcome, Conference Greeting (Organizers)
  • Pallavi Singh, Ph.D.
  • Mathew Deitch, Ph.D.
  • IIN Associate Vice President and Executive Director, Esq. Jeannette Tamayo
9:05-9:10 a.m. NIU Vice President for Research and Innovation Partnerships Richard Mocarski, Ph.D.
9:10-9:15 a.m. NIU President Dr. Lisa Freeman
9:15-10 a.m. Morning Keynote
  • U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, Illinois 17th District
  • Rachel Poretsky, Ph.D., University of Illinois Chicago
  • Kristen Malecki, Ph.D., University of Illinois Chicago
  • Ashish Sharma, Ph.D., Discovery Partners Institute
10-10:15 a.m. Coffee Break
10:15-11:45 a.m.

Concurrent Panels: Sustainability and Social Innovation Research Panels

10:15 a.m.
Lavanya Reddivari, Ph.D., Purdue University
Role of Plant bioactives in gut health

10:27 a.m.
Naoko Muramatsu, Ph.D., University of Illinois, Chicago
Engaging Technology, Empowering Caregivers, and Sustaining Aging Communities

10:39 a.m.
Wasantha Jayawardene, Ph.D., Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
ReviveXR: A Mixed Reality-Based Naloxone Training to Enhance Overdose Response Skills in Diverse Community Settings

10:51 a.m.
Hyoil Han, Ph.D., Illinois State University
SDoH-Informed, AI-Driven STI Prediction and Youth-Centered Interventions Across Illinois

11:01 a.m.
Anitha Sarvanan, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
Advancing Digital Health Equity Through Community-Engaged Innovation: STEHL, BRIDGE and DigiHEART-Link

11:11 a.m.
Venumadhav Korampally, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
Low-cost paper-based diagnostics for sustainable healthcare practices in resource-poor locations

11:21 a.m.
Panel Discussion

10:15 a.m.
Jeff Anstine, Ph.D., North Central College
Going for The Green (Money that is): A Business Case for Environmental Protection

10:28 a.m.
Colin Kuehl, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
Tweeting to Sustain Communities: Using Machine Learning to Understand and Improve Social Media Outreach

10:41 a.m.
Mark Schuller, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
Adaptations: Exploring Bottom-Up Resilience Planning

10:54 a.m.
Dan Kenney, DeKalb County Community Gardens/Rooted For Good
Grass Roots to Resilience: Food as an Agent of Change

11:07 a.m.
Love Kumar, Ph.D., Illinois State Hydrologic Survey
Flood Modeling and its Impacts on Communities in the Kishwaukee River Watershed, IL

11:20 a.m.
Panel Discussion

10:15 a.m.
Alastair Merrett and Chris Merrett, Ph.D.
Design for America and Western Illinois University
Teaching Design-Thinking for Social Innovation: A Model to Promote Student-Centered Community Engagement

10:35 a.m.
Brian Morello and Brett Gabrielatos, Beloit College
Teaching Design-Thinking for Social Innovation: Beloit College's Human-centered approach to collaborative community innovation.

10:55 a.m.
Sue Lafferty, Ph.D., North Central College
Design Thinking for Social Impact: Community-engaged learning for college students

11:15 a.m.
Emily Jones, Ph.D., Illinois State University
Designing Wellness: Translating Research into Systemic Change through the District 87 Wellness Collaborative

11:35 a.m.
Panel Discussion
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Lunch and Networking
Room: Duke Ellington Ballroom

Themes and Moderator(s)

  • Social Impact and Innovation Seed Grant, Molly Lamb, Ph.D.
  • Economic Development, Harriett Steinbach, Ph.D.
  • Federal Grants, Donna Martin and Sadie Schaus
  • Study Sustainability Abroad Programs, Tom Skuzinski, Ph.D.
  • ISA Springboard Challenge, Peter Creticos, Ph.D.
  • Student Research Opportunities, Emily Reilly
  • Student Involvement/Career Services, Andrea Radasanu, Ph.D.
  • Student Career Opportunities, Matt Deitch, Ph.D., and Love Kumar, Ph.D.
  • Innovative Energy Systems, Todd Rusk
  • Foundation Relations, Erin Smith and Sam Guerrero
  • Startups and Technology Transfer, Mark Hankins and Tao Xu, Ph.D.
  • Industry Partnerships, Kellie Dyslin and Karinne Bredberg
12:45-1:45 p.m.

Student Poster Session
Poster Abstracts (DOCX)
Room: Duke Ellington Ballroom
1:45-2 p.m. Break
2-3:30 p.m. Concurrent Panels: Sustainability Research Panels and Design Thinking Workshop

2 p.m.
Todd Rusk, EnergySense Resilience Center
Panel Introduction: Continuing Need for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Development to Support our Energy Infrastructure

2:05 p.m.
Elizabeth Irvin, Illinois Department of Transportation
Sustainable Infrastructure at the Illinois Department of Transportation

2:17 p.m.
Kevin Martin, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
Fitness for Purpose of Sensor Systems for Infrastructure Health

2:27 p.m.
John DeRosa, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Office of Energy
Transitioning Public Water Infrastructure to Resiliency

2:37 p.m.
David Husemoller, Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN)
IGEN and Green Infrastructure at Community Colleges

2:47 p.m.
Theodore Hogan, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
Students in a GenEd course learn the complexity of sustainability by deeply examining the lifecycle of a charger cable

2:57 p.m.
Ryan Mueller, Northern Illinois University
Biodegradable Circuit Boards From Crop Waste: Promoting Homegrown Solutions for the Global E-Waste Crisis

3:07 p.m.
Panel Discussion

2 p.m.
Callie Klatt Golba, Ph.D., Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences
Blanding’s Turtles as Umbrella Species for Ecosystem Health

2:15 p.m.
Shicheng Chen, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
Who is buzzing inside and outside mosquitoes?

2:30 p.m.
Alexandra Harmon-Threatt, Ph.D., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Restoration in contaminated landscapes: Are we helping or hurting bee conservation efforts?

2:45 p.m.
Peter Lin, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
Mobile Robotic Platform for Sustainability Innovation: A Continuously Learning and Living Lab Approach (Ecobot)

3 p.m.
Panel Discussion

2 p.m.
Vinay Budhraja, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
Smart Agriculture with IoT-Integrated Printed Electrochemical and OECT Sensors for Continuous Crop Stress Monitoring

2:14 p.m.
Mahdi Vaezi, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
NIU Bioplastics Lab: Circular Biocomposites from Regional Residues

2:28 p.m.
Ritesh Ray, Northern Illinois University
Implications of Management Style on Fecal Microbiome of Bison Herds

2:42 p.m.
Pallavi Singh, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
A One Health Approach to Combating Antimicrobial Resistance in Food and Water Systems

2:56 p.m.
Kris Borre, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
Leveraging Strengths for Food and Environmental Justice: The Benefits and Challenges of Building Communiversity Gardens from the Ground Up

3:10 p.m.
Panel Discussion

Design Thinking Workshop-Benefits of Human-Centered Design
Room: Heritage Room
Moderator: Nicholas Puddicombe, Siebel Center for Design
2 p.m.
Workshop
3:30-3:45 p.m. Break
3:45-4:15 p.m. Closing Remarks, Student Poster and Presentation Awards Ceremony
Room: Duke Ellington Ballroom
4:15 p.m. Conclusion and Dispersal

Parking and Hotel Accommodations

A block of rooms has been reserved at the HSC Hotel for Thursday, Sept. 25 (group number 5206). Reserve your room online by Sept. 11 to ensure availability. There are several other hotels within a mile of campus.

Parking will be complimentary for all attendees. When registering for the conference, please indicate if you need parking. You will be contacted separately for vehicle information and with specific details about where to park (visitor parking is limited to specific lots).

Travel Support

IIN and NIU do not currently offer travel grants. We recommend contacting your university for possible support. If funding becomes available, registrants will be notified.

Design Thinking Workshop: The Benefits of Human-centered Design

2-3:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26

This interactive workshop introduces the spaces and mindsets of human-centered design (HCD), highlighting the value it brings to solving complex challenges and developing your own problem-solving skills. Participants will learn and apply HCD processes through collaborative activities and experience the benefits of using this approach firsthand. Attendees will leave with strategies for bringing HCD back to their own teams and projects, and ideas for extending the process with richer data and deeper insights. 

All students and faculty are encouraged to attend. No prior knowledge is required to participate in this workshop.

Contact Us

Matthew Deitch, Ph.D.
Director, Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability
mdeitch@niu.edu