Afternoon Keynote Speaker: Dr. Zoubeida Ounaies

Zoubeida Ounaies is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. After earning her Ph.D. in Engineering Science and Mechanics from Penn State, Dr. Ounaies spent six years in the Advanced Materials Branch at NASA Langley Research Center. Her research focuses on designing and developing ‘smart’ materials, which are materials that can change their properties and behavior in response to external stimuli such as mechanical, electrical, magnetic, or thermal. As director of the Convergence Center for Living Multifunctional Material Systems (LiMC2) and associate director of the Materials Research Institute, Dr. Ounaies is at the forefront of innovative materials research that prioritizes sustainable solutions and environmentally friendly technologies. Her work aims to create smart materials and systems that not only respond to their surroundings but also contribute to a more sustainable future. Her contributions have been recognized through multiple awards and she is a fellow of ASME and SPIE. Dr. Ounaies is passionate about mentoring young researchers in her Electroactive Materials Characterization Laboratory (EMCLab), where students explore applications of responsive materials in energy storage, conversion, and harvesting.