2025 Science Knight Out with Jim Hutchison

About the Speaker:

Since beginning his independent research and teaching career at the University of Oregon in 1994, Jim Hutchison has harnessed the power of chemistry to produce new materials and useful products. He led a productive and well-funded research program for more than 25 years and co-founded his own company (Dune Sciences, that spun up the Defunkify brand) based on his cutting-edge green chemistry research. Hutchison has pioneered numerous innovative education programs, including the first environmentally friendly organic chemistry laboratory curriculum. He is a champion of experiential and immersive graduate education programs, and helped develop what has become the UO’s Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program, an accelerated master's degree program that combines lab and lecture content with a 9-month paid internship, the development of the Knight Campus’ innovative Bioengineering PhD program and the Campus’ Bioengineering minor. Most recently, he launched the Knight Campus Brewing Innovation Lab which leverages science and engineering, history, innovation, and storytelling to teach the craft and science of brewing.

About the Event:

Our 2025 Science Knight Out community lecture with Jim Hutchison will take place on Wednesday, May 1 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm in downtown Eugene in the Jaqua Concert Hall at The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts. Arrive early between 5:30 – 6:30 pm for an informal community mingle with cookies and beverages for purchase. Doors to the main lecture hall will open at 6:10 pm.

Robert Guldberg, Knight Campus Vice President and Robert and Leona DeArmond Executive Director, will provide opening remarks leading up to Hutchison’s lecture, followed by a moderated Q&A opportunity with audience members.

As the featured speaker at this year’s community science lecture, Jim Hutchison will describe breakthroughs in molecular design and share how his University of Oregon lab helped change the way chemistry is taught and applied and explore some of the ways he’s continued to help develop innovative research and educational programs at the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact — from designing more sustainable products to using brewing as a framework for training the next generation of innovators.

Hutchison’s lecture, “Tapping the Power of Chemistry: From Green Products to Brewing Innovation,” will highlight the science behind green chemistry and its real-world applications. As the Knight Campus Senior Associate Vice President and The Lorry Lokey Chair in Chemistry, Hutchison is at the forefront of chemical design for sustainable products. He is the ninth speaker in the Science Knight Out series, following past presenters such as Department of Bioengineering Chair Danielle Benoit and Knight Campus Director Robert Guldberg.

Science Knight Out is a free community science lecture that is open to the public and is sponsored by the University of Oregon Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. The annual event supports the mission of the Knight Campus of science advancing society and the goal of engaging the public in the excitement and creativity of scientific research.

Ticketing:

Your RSVP confirmation email will contain your event ticket. On the event date, have your printed or electronic ticket(s) available upon arrival at the venue. Event staff will be posted by both main entrances at The Shedd to scan your ticket QR code and provide you entrance to the venue. If you forget your ticket or need to RSVP on site, event staff will be there to support.

Event Venue and Parking:

The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts is located on the corner of East Broadway & High Street in downtown Eugene. During their North Entrance remodel, the entrance into The Shedd from their parking lot is via a covered walkway in the alley immediately west of the building. Patrons may also enter The Shedd from Broadway through the black iron gates. Look for directional signage!

Thanks to a special rental agreement between The Shedd and Lane County, Shedd patrons, students, staff and performers can now park free Monday-Friday after 5pm and all-day Saturday and Sunday in the Pearl Street Parking Lot directly north of The Shedd across 8th Ave. Enter the lot on either 7th or Pearl Street.

For more information on the event, visit our Science Knight Out website.