Innovate Indy: Purdue Engineering Graduate & Postdoc Research Symposium
Innovate Indy is Purdue Engineering’s annual graduate and postdoctoral research symposium hosted in Indianapolis. The event brings together graduate students from West Lafayette and Indianapolis to showcase cutting-edge research, professional projects, and industry collaborations in a dynamic, high-impact setting.
Innovate Indy provides a platform for students to present their work, engage with faculty and industry partners, and celebrate the future of engineering research.
2026 Innovate Indy Research Symposium – Friday April 24, 2026 - Skyline Club at OneAmerica Tower, 200 N Illinois St 36th Floor, Indianapolis
The 2026 Innovate Indy Research Symposium will take place on April 24, 2026 from 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM at the Skyline Club at OneAmerica Tower in Indianapolis. The symposium will feature graduate research posters, lightning research talks, professional project presentations, faculty and industry judges, networking opportunities, and presentation awards.
| 8:55 AM/10:55 AM | WL students depart PMU/STEW |
| 10:15 AM/12:15 PM | WL students arrive to Indianapolis campus and take the shuttle to Skyline |
| 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM | Check-In |
| 12:30 PM - 1:20 PM |
Presenters: Lunch and poster set-up (The View) Judges: Lunch and Judges Debrief (Lew Wallace) |
| 1:30 PM | Welcome (The View) |
| 1:40 - 3:30 PM | Poster Presentations (The View) |
| 1:40 - 2:30 PM | Oral Presentations - Professional Project Presentations (Lew Wallace) |
| 2:40 - 3:30 PM | Oral Presentations - Lightning Research Presentations (Lew Wallace) |
| 3:30 PM | Networking |
| 4:00 PM | Awards and Wrap-up |
| 5:00 PM | WL students depart Indianapolis on Campus Connect Shuttle |
Abstract Submission
Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are invited to apply to present their work:
Presentation Formats:
- Poster Presentation
- Lightning Research Presentation (5 min + 3 min Q&A)
- Professional Project Presentation (5 min + 3 min Q&A)
Abstract Submission Deadline: Monday, March 23, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Interested in Serving as a Judge?
Faculty members and industry professionals are invited to serve as judges for poster and oral presentations.
General Attendees
Undergraduate students, faculty, staff, industry professionals, and community members are welcome to attend. Space is limited and registration is required.
The attendee registration link will be shared closer to the event date. Please check back for updates.
Important Dates for Innovate Indy 2026
February 23 – Abstract Submission Opens
March 23 (8:00 AM) – Abstract Submission Deadline
March 16 – April 10 – Judge Registration Window
March 16 – April 10 – Attendee Registration Window
By April 6 – Presenters Notified of Acceptance
April 9 – Poster Files Due for Printing
April 24 – Innovate Indy Research Symposium
No need to drive and hassle with parking! Just take the Purdue Campus Connect Shuttle Service. It is free and convenient. Download the R2U Connect app through Google Play or the Apple Store. The R2U Connect app allows shuttle riders to view the shuttle schedule and reserve a seat. Create an account using your Purdue email to ensure shuttle rides are free.
Questions?
Contact Jackie McDermott at jem@purdue.edu.
2025
Thank you to everyone who made the first Purdue Engineering Research Symposium in Indianapolis a success. Read more about the 2025 event.
Congratulations to the 2025 Poster Winners:
Outstanding Poster Award:
- Abin Mathew, PhD Electrical and Computer Engineering (Indianapolis) student with the poster titled “RampCast Phase II: Connected Vehicles Traffic Management Application on Indiana Highways”.
- Teal Dowd, PhD Materials Engineering (West Lafayette) student and Co-presenter Patrick Cavanaugh, Research Engineer and Director of Ray Ewry Sports Engineering Center, PWL. Their poster was titled, “Device for Smart Trainer Homologation”.
People's Choice Award:
- Nafisi Rafiq, PhD Biomedical Engineering (West Lafayette) student with the poster entitled, “Antimicrobial Resistance: A Global Threat and Its Diagnostics with Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay”.