NEWS

Louisiana Tech University has been chosen to hold the prestigious Albany Conversations beginning in 2021. The Albany Conversations is an international conference developed by Dr. Ramaswamy H. Sarma of the State University of New York at Albany (SUNY – Albany).

Sarma created the conference over 40 years ago to bring experts in the field of biomolecular structure and dynamics together to discuss their latest, most innovative research. The selection of Louisiana Tech marks the first time that the conversations will be held outside of SUNY – Albany.

Dr. Tom Bishop, associate professor of physics, chemistry, molecular science and nanotechnology, and nanosystems engineering at Louisiana Tech, is a long-time participant in the Conversations and will be the host for the 2021 conference at the Integrated Engineering and Science Building on the University’s Ruston campus.

The past 20 “Conversations” have been relatively small scientific meetings with approximately 200 participants from around the globe. The experience level of participants ranges from novice graduate students to recognized world leaders. Bishop is working with a scientific advisory team to continue the tradition of having a Nobel laureate provide the key note address and to keep the Conversations a truly international event that fosters fruitful collaborations across various real and perceived physical and intellectual boundaries.

“I’m excited to have Louisiana Tech University host the Conversations,” Bishop said. “Participation in the Conversations has been an extremely important part of my career development. It’s an honor for me and for Tech to now host these meetings. More importantly hosting the Albany Conversations at Tech offers a number of potentially transformativeopportunities for our region.”

“Dr. Bishop has done a great deal of work to get the Albany Conversations to Louisiana Tech,” said Dr. Hisham Hegab, dean of the Louisiana Tech College of Engineering and Science, “and, I am sure that with his leadership, the 2021 Conversations will be a success. I look forward to meeting with the attendees from around the world and hope that many of our students and faculty will register to take advantage of the unique opportunities that this conference will offer.”