NE Seminar: “A Global View of Innovation”

Details

Lawrence Tinker, Ph.D.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ENGINEERING INNOVATION INSTITUTE
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Dr. Lawrence Tinker is an Instructional Associate Professor and the Assistant Director of the Engineering Innovation Institute at the University of Florida Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering.  Dr. Tinker came to UF in 2018 after a 39-year career in private and public industry in large and small organizations with various roles from bench research to Engineering Management, to President of two companies. In the immediate five years prior to joining the UF faculty, Dr. Tinker worked with numerous startup companies in Florida helping them build their business models, business plans and find investors. Throughout his career, Dr. Tinker had the opportunity to be involved in business management and operations and was able to learn through hands-on experience the importance of understanding how businesses operate.  Dr. Tinker holds a Ph.D. degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and B.S. and M.S. degrees from Georgia State University.

Abstract

While innovation has played a significant role in recent history, it is beneficial to understand how innovation has helped shape the world as we know it today.  Starting from early history all the way through today, innovation has accelerated the growth of new economies, new industries, and new products.  Innovation has led to the industrial revolution, the digital revolution, the age of the internet, and now the age of artificial intelligence and more.  This rapid acceleration of innovation requires a new focus on engineering talent and skills in order for our nation to continue to be a leader in innovation.