OPENING GENERAL SESSION: Monday, June 1, 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Challenges, Progress, Innovation: Predicting the Future by Creating It

Peter H. Diamandis, MD
Chairman and CEO
The X PRIZE Foundation
San Francisco, CA

Dr. Peter Diamandis knows that innovation is created by challenging conventional ways of thinking. Discoveries and radical breakthroughs are achieved through constructive competition. We can’t wait for the government to fund the right things properly or quickly enough.

As chairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation, Diamandis is changing the way the world thinks about its problems and their solutions. He believes that challenge, properly framed, can inspire and unleash progress toward eradicating the seemingly intractable grand obstacles of our time.

His first prize, the Ansari X PRIZE was a $10M private space flight competition that changed the way the world thinks about space. His current goal is to use this proactive, competitive prize model to energize individuals to innovate technological breakthroughs in other areas including energy, genomics, nanotechnology, medicine, and the social arena. Diamandis’ inspiring message will challenge you and your organization to push beyond the boundaries of creative thinking toward new discoveries of your own.

New! Breakthrough Thinking Track

Monday – Wednesday after each General Session

How can industrial hygienists begin to use some of the energy, inspiration, and creative thinking described in the Opening Session and apply it to long standing challenges faced by the industrial hygiene profession? The Breakthrough Thinking Track focuses on several OEHS challenges and works through possible scenarios that can lead to progress and positive change.

These are not your typical AIHce sessions! Bring an open mind, positive energy, your ideas, and solution-oriented thinking. You and/or your team may be the winner of the AIHce X PRIZE! Visit Breakthrough Thinking for more details.

GENERAL SESSION: Tuesday, June 2, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Sustainable Development Beyond Borders:
Taking an Active and Meaningful Role in Advancing Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility in Your Organization

Edward L. Quevedo, JD
Special Counsel, Chair Sustainability Group
Farella Braun + Martel, San Francisco, CA
Faculty, Green MBA Program in Sustainable Enterprise, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA

At this time of great change and challenge in the world, health and safety professionals have the opportunity to be “sustainability ambassadors” of their organizations – internally as “intrapreneurs” building consensus across stove-piped organizational boundaries, and externally as relationship builders and advocates for the precautionary principle.

Gain clarity around the often misunderstood, yet inter-related and mission-critical concepts of sustainability, sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, green-house gas reduction, carbon-neutrality, and many other sundry topics that are bandied about these days.

Learn through a fascinating array of case studies presented by Mr. Quevedo (some of which have risen to the level of urban legend) how you, as a health and safety professional, can play a key and catalyzing role in either launching sustainability initiatives, or in helping your organization navigate a strategy for maximum risk management benefit, reputational advantage, and old-fashioned return on investment.

Listen to an interview with Edward L. Quevedo, JD, speaking about his keynote address.

GENERAL SESSION: Wednesday, June 3, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Taking Science Beyond Borders: Global EHS Issues of Nanotechnology

Kristen Kulinowski, PhD
Faculty Fellow, Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX; Director,
External Affairs, Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN);
Director, International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON)

Dr. Kulinowski has been actively engaged in developing and promoting the ICON, which provides a neutral forum in which experts from academia, government, industry and nonprofit organizations can explore questions of nanotechnology’s impact on the environment, health and safety. She directed an effort that resulted in the web production of the first publicly available database of citations to peer-reviewed papers on nano EHS. Other ICON activities include a survey of best practices for nanomaterial handling in the workplace and a public portal of information on nanotechnology EHS.

Kulinowski has extensive experience in science education, particularly in developing innovative curricula at the undergraduate level and she developed Rice’s first introductory undergraduate course on nanotechnology. As Executive Director for Education at CBEN, she developed and managed an educational outreach portfolio of programs for audiences ranging from middle school children to adults. During this time, the center established itself as a national leader in nanotechnology educational outreach.

A highly sought after speaker on issues of nanotechnology, environmental health and safety, and science policy throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East, Dr. Kulinowski will share her extensive knowledge and expertise with AIHce registrants.