The R&D Showcase, scheduled for the Alerus Center in Grand Forks on Sept. 28-29, will put the spotlight on North Dakota’s most exciting research initiatives, scientific advances and commercial applications by university faculty, students and businesses in the region. Featured keynote speakers include:

Kathie Olsen, vice president for international affairs, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. She is the former deputy director, National Science Foundation; former associate director for science, Office of Science and Technology Policy; and former chief scientist, NASA. Olsen is a neuroscientist with a prolific 24-year federal government science career.

Phil Singerman, senior vice president, B&D Consulting. He is the former under secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce; former CEO of Maryland TEDCO and Pennsylvania’s Ben Franklin Program. Singerman is a recognized national innovator in public/private partnerships to promote local economic development.