Navigating Futures: Building Synergies for Academia and Innovation
June 26-27, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Dear scholars,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to “Navigating Futures: Building Synergies for Academia and Innovation” annual Forum of ANA, a much-anticipated event that unites scholars from diverse fields for meaningful conversations, collaboration, and exchange. This year’s conference provides a dynamic platform for academic leaders, researchers, and practitioners to come together to explore emerging research topics, share practical tools, and engage in thoughtful dialogue on how theoretical frameworks can be effectively translated into real-world impact.
Our overarching goal is to provide a dedicated venue for extensive scholarly discussions and to strengthen collaboration through the network of academics. We believe that by fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, we can advance knowledge, generate new insights, and contribute to shaping the future of academia and innovation.
Thank you for being part of this important gathering. We look forward to insightful conversations and the opportunity to build lasting academic partnerships.
Warm regards,
Dr. Sevinj Mammadova
President of the US-Azerbaijan Network of Academics
Navigating Future: Building Synergies for Academia and Innovation aims to serve as a dynamic collaborative platform where academics, practitioners, and policymakers engage in meaningful dialogue to generate contextually practical recommendations and actionable solutions in the field of academia and innovation.
What to expect?
KEYNOTE SPEECHES
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS
Speakers
-
Dr. Marguerite Gong Hancock
Computer History Museum
-
Dr. Michael Feuer
The George Washington University
-
Anar Ahmedov
University of Minnesota
-
Dr. Masood Parvania
The University of Utah
-
Sevinj Mammadova
The George Washington University
-
Aykhan Yusifov
University of California San Francisco
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Dr. Ryan Watkins
The George Washington University
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Dr. Jamila Javadova-Spitzberg
The University of Texas
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Dr. Nicole DelMastro-Jeffery
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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Mammad Karim
Caucasus Venture
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Dr. Natalie Milman
The George Washington University
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Anar Mammadov
EtaVista
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Adnan Akhundov
Meta
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Dr. Durdana Balakishiyeva
Southern Methodist University
-
Dr. Sevda Pouraghaei
Amgen
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Ayaz Bayramov
Blue Origin
Areas of Focus:
Academia and Innovation in a Changing World
Bridging Academia and Innovation: Exploring the intersection of research and technological advancement.
Enhancing Research Infrastructure & High-Impact Publishing: Best practices for securing research funding and increasing visibility.
Academia-Industry Collaboration for Innovation: Successful models, challenges, and opportunities.
Policy Reforms & Success Stories: Examining global case studies and policy shifts driving innovation.
Industry-Led Transformation of Academia & Innovation: How market demands are shaping research priorities and academic programs.
Start-up Ecosystem: From A to Z
Building a Robust Start-up Infrastructure: Policies, regulations, and funding opportunities.
Crafting Effective Start-up Narratives & Securing Investments: Accessing corporate, venture capital, and private funding.
Industry Expectations & Investment Criteria: What investors and stakeholders look for in start-ups.
Cross-Ecosystem Collaboration & Strategic Growth: How to leverage multi-sector networks for start-up success.
Case Studies of Funding Success: Learning from real-world start-up journeys and funding breakthroughs.
Going Beyond Imagination
Quantum Computing: The Next Frontier: Opportunities and challenges in academia and industry.
Space Exploration & Emerging Technologies: How advancements in space research are reshaping industries.
Artificial Intelligence & Future Possibilities: Envisioning AI’s role in scientific discovery, business, and society.
Strategic Networking & Career Building
Mastering Academic & Industry Networking: Practical strategies for building meaningful professional connections.
Speed Networking & Peer Exchanges: Structured sessions for fostering collaborations and knowledge sharing.
Personal Branding for Researchers & Professionals: Enhancing visibility in the academic and corporate world.
Host Organizations
California Azerbaijan Friendship Association
Azerbaijan Network of Academics
Azerbaijanis @ Berkeley
Supporting Organization
Azerbaijan Culural Society
of Northern California
Caucasus Venture
Forum Agenda
Agenda subject to change based on speaker availability and program updates.
June 26
Opening ceremony
Keynote address
9:00-9:45
9:45-10:30
Registration
Dr. Marguerite Gong Hancock
Keynote speakers:
Dr. Michael Feuer
Plenary Session 1:
10:30-11:45
The role of Academia in a Changing World
Focus: Transforming academia and educational systems to align with 21st-century demands through technological integration, inclusive education, and lifelong learning.
Speakers:
Dr. Sevinj Mammadova
Dr. Anar Ahmedov
Dr. Natalie B. Milman
Dr. Nicole DelMastro-Jeffery
Coffee break
11:45-12:00
Focus: Strengthening academia and innovation nexus in developing countries and leveraging public-private partnerships for sustainable research and technological advancement. Experience of biotech giants.
Moderator:
Bridging Academia and Innovation: Exploring the intersection of research and technological advancement
12:00-13:15
Plenary Session 2:
Dr. Aykhan Yusifov
Speakers:
Dr. Ryan Watkins
Dr. Masood Parvania
Dr. Teymur Sadikhov
Workshops – Thematic Breakouts
13:15-14:15
14:15-16:15
Lunch break
Education /
Research Track
Start-up/
Big Tech Track
June 27
Cultural program and networking dinner
18:00-20:00
Panel discussion:
Empowering Connections in Academia and Innovation
10:00-11:30
Focus: Academic and Professional Community can amplify Innovation and Research Ecosystem Development in Azerbaijan
Speakers:
Dr. Jamila Javadova-Spitzberg
Dr. Anar Ahmedov
Dr. Sevinj Mammadova
Dr. Aykhan Yusifov
Dr. Durdana Balakishiyeva
Coffee break
11:30-11:45
11:45-13:00
Continuation of the Panel discussion
Lunch time discussion:
Strengthening and modalities of networking
13:00-14:00