2025 Science Knight Out with Jim Hutchison

About the Speaker:

Jim Hutchison is the Knight Campus' Senior Associate Vice President and Lorry Lokey Chair in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. His research focuses on the synthesis of new materials made from nanoparticles for use in electronics, chemical and biological sensing systems, biomedicine and renewable energy applications. His lab aims to harness and fine-tune the properties of nanoparticles, which are thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair, using techniques that enhance their functionality while reducing waste during production and ensuring their safety in the environment and human health. Hutchison was a pioneer in green chemistry and green nanoscience. With UO colleagues, he produced the nation’s first curriculum on green chemistry for use in undergraduate organic chemistry laboratories and the first textbook for green organic chemistry. He has championed experiential graduate education in 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.

Hutchison founded the first center for green nanoscience, the Safer Nanomaterials and Nanomanufacturing Initiative of the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute, a state signature research organization. He launched the Knight Campus Brewing Innovation Lab and was instrumental in the development of Knight Campus academic programs, including the Bioengineering PhD program, the Bioengineering minor and the Brewing Innovation minor, which leverages science and engineering, history, innovation, and storytelling to teach the craft and science of brewing. He has co-authored several reports of the National Academy of Sciences on nanotechnology and green chemistry, has published more than 130 scientific papers and won numerous national awards.

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.

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 .

Info: Starting at 5:30 pm, early arrivals are welcome to join us in The Shedd's Cole Gallery prior to the lecture for an informal community networking opportunity. Beverages and cookies will be available for purchase. Doors to the lecture hall will open at 6:10 pm. ID is required for alcoholic beverages.

Info: Lecture hall doors 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 Jim Hutchison’s lecture, followed by a moderated Q&A opportunity with the audience.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Shedd Institute, 285 East Broadway, Eugene, United States