Innovation & Impact

About Innovation & Impact

Innovation & Impact centers relevant, thought-provoking topics that highlight innovation, with the opportunity to focus on and discuss impact. Each episode of this podcast series features a Penn Engineering faculty member as the moderator, and three School faculty members that serve as thought leaders and panelists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Penn Engineering

Category

education · science · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 May 2023

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Innovation & Impact Podcast Episode 13: The Future of Reasoning with Byron Cook

   Penn Engineering’s Innovation & Impact podcast features Byron Cook (https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/security/aws-security-profile-byron-cook-director-aws-automated-reasoning-group/), Vice President and Distinguished Scientist of the Automated Reasoning Group (https://www.amazon.science/research-areas/automated-reasoning) at Amazon Web Services and Professor at University College London. Cook is a computer scientist and pioneer in automated reasoning whose work sits at the intersection of theory, software and artificial intelligence. In this episode, host Vijay Kumar (https://directory.seas.upenn.edu/vijay-kumar/), Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering and Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, sits down with Cook to explore how advances in AI are reshaping the way we build, verify and interact with computational systems. The conversation examines the evolving relationship between people and intelligent machines, from the challenges of ensuring that increasingly autonomous systems behave as intended to the ways AI is changing software development and problem-solving. Cook also reflects on how research evolves alongside technology and why connecting fundamental ideas with real-world problems can lead to unexpected discoveries. Listen to a wide-ranging conversation about automated reasoning, AI and the changing landscape of computer science, as Cook considers both the possibilities and questions that emerge as these technologies become increasingly capable. Subscribe to Penn Engineering’s Innovation & Impact podcast on Apple Music (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/responsible-innovation/id1710434666?i=1000672366469), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5CbLMERH3ELb8ji7bnJlCk) or your favorite listening platforms, or find all the episodes on our Penn Engineering YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbZb2TRlTXcIyd6R1Wg5Ty55SnNR8Y18N). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   26 May 2026

   Innovation & Impact Podcast Episode 12: Driving the Future with Benedetto Vigna

   Episode 12 of the Innovation & Impact podcast features Benedetto Vigna (https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/corporate/board-directors), CEO of Ferrari, whose career spans from engaging in cutting-edge semiconductor research to leading one of the world’s most iconic brands. In this episode, host Vijay Kumar (https://directory.seas.upenn.edu/vijay-kumar/), Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering and Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM), sits down with Vigna, who reflects on his journey from physicist and innovator to industry leader, sharing how early breakthroughs in sensor technology, now embedded in everyday devices like smartphones, helped shape his approach to innovation. The conversation explores how Vigna is guiding Ferrari through a new era of electrification and digital transformation while staying true to the company’s legacy of performance and design. From pioneering microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to advancing next-generation vehicles, he emphasizes the importance of combining deep technical expertise with a clear vision for the future. Listen to Episode 12 for insights into how the technologies are shaping high-performance sports cars today, with the company’s focus on the impact of people and the planet. Subscribe to Penn Engineering’s Innovation & Impact podcast on Apple Music (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/responsible-innovation/id1710434666?i=1000672366469), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5CbLMERH3ELb8ji7bnJlCk) or your favorite listening platforms, or find all the episodes on our Penn Engineering YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbZb2TRlTXcIyd6R1Wg5Ty55SnNR8Y18N). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   22 Apr 2026

   Innovation & Impact Podcast: Designing the Future of AI and the Next Era of Computing

   Hosted by Vijay Kumar (https://directory.seas.upenn.edu/vijay-kumar/), Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering and Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, episode 11 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5T6xwg2X-Y) of Penn Engineering’s Innovation & Impact podcast features Jason Cong (https://samueli.ucla.edu/people/jason-jingsheng-cong/), Distinguished Professor in Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering at UCLA’s Samueli’s School of Engineering. A pioneer in customizable computing whose work has helped redefine how modern computing systems are designed and optimized, Cong reflects on the technological shifts that have reshaped the field over the past two decades, from the end of Dennard scaling to the growing importance of energy efficiency in an AI-driven world. As artificial intelligence models grow larger and more complex, the traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach to computing is no longer sustainable. Instead, Cong highlights the rise of specialized hardware architectures tailored to specific workloads, enabling dramatic improvements in performance and efficiency. His insights shed light on how customizable computing has become foundational to advances in deep learning and large-scale AI systems. The conversation also explores the evolution of tools like FPGAs and high-level synthesis, which are transforming how engineers design and deploy hardware. For everyday users, this shift matters because it directly impacts how fast, affordable and energy-efficient the technologies we rely on — like smartphones, voice assistants and AI-powered tools — can become. The innovations discussed in this episode are helping shape a future where AI is not only more powerful, but also more accessible and sustainable in daily life. Listen to Episode 11 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5T6xwg2X-Y) of Penn Engineering’s Innovation & Impact podcast on Apple Music (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/responsible-innovation/id1710434666?i=1000672366469), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5CbLMERH3ELb8ji7bnJlCk) or your favorite listening platforms, or find all the episodes on our Penn Engineering YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbZb2TRlTXcIyd6R1Wg5Ty55SnNR8Y18N). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

4. 

   24 Mar 2026

   Inventing for the Real World with Penn’s National Academy of Inventors Fellows

   In this episode of Penn Engineering’s Innovation & Impact podcast, host Vanessa Chan (https://directory.seas.upenn.edu/vanessa-z-chan/), Vice Dean of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Jonathan and Linda Brassington Practice Professor in Materials Science and Engineering, sits down with three faculty members who were recently named Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), one of the highest distinctions for academic inventors whose work has made a measurable impact on society. Chan is joined by Boon Thau Loo (https://directory.seas.upenn.edu/boon-thau-loo/), RCA Professor in Computer and Information Science and Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Global Initiatives, André DeHon (https://directory.seas.upenn.edu/andre-dehon/), Boileau Professor of Electrical Engineering in Electrical and Systems Engineering, and Haim Bau (https://directory.seas.upenn.edu/haim-h-bau/), the Richard H. and S.L. Gabel Professor of Mechanical Engineering in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics. Together, they share the stories behind the inventions that have shaped their fields, from cloud infrastructure and AI hardware to point-of-care diagnostics, and discuss the mindset that drives transformative innovation. Beyond the technologies themselves, the conversation explores the habits and perspectives that shape great inventors. The guests discuss questioning the status quo, embracing interdisciplinary thinking and learning from failure, lessons that echo Benjamin Franklin’s spirit of invention at the founding of the University of Pennsylvania. From childhood curiosity and unconventional research paths to the realities of turning ideas into real-world impact, this episode offers an inside look at how Penn Engineering innovators translate research into technologies that improve lives around the world. Listen to Episode 10 of Penn Engineering’s Innovation & Impact podcast to hear how these NAI Fellows approach invention and what their experiences can teach the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs. Subscribe to Penn Engineering’s Innovation & Impact podcast on Apple Music (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/responsible-innovation/id1710434666?i=1000672366469), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5CbLMERH3ELb8ji7bnJlCk) or your favorite listening platforms, or find all the episodes on our Penn Engineering YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbZb2TRlTXcIyd6R1Wg5Ty55SnNR8Y18N). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

5. 

   24 Feb 2026

   Engineering Forward with Tsu-Jae Liu

   In the latest episode of Penn Engineering’s Innovation & Impact podcast, Vijay Kumar (https://directory.seas.upenn.edu/vijay-kumar/), Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering and Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, sits down with Tsu-Jae Liu (https://www.nae.edu/338873/NAE-Welcomes-TsuJae-Liu-as-President), President of the National Academy of Engineering and a pioneering force in semiconductor technology. From co-developing the FinFET transistor that powers today’s most advanced chips and smartphones to leading one of the nation’s most influential engineering bodies, Liu brings a rare perspective shaped by decades in academia, industry and innovation leadership. This wide-ranging conversation explores the critical challenges and extraordinary opportunities facing engineering today. As the United States navigates a rapidly evolving technological landscape shaped by AI, microelectronics and a renewed global space race, Liu outlines her vision for strengthening the nation’s engineering talent pipeline and safeguarding long-term prosperity and national security. In the near term, she emphasizes closing the growing engineering talent gap; in the long term, she underscores the essential role engineers play in ensuring a secure, prosperous and peaceful future. The discussion also examines engineering’s responsibility to serve the public good. Liu reflects on how institutions can cultivate “inclusive excellence,” broadening participation in engineering while upholding rigorous standards, and why empathy, adaptability and communication are as vital to future engineers as technical mastery. In this episode, Liu reminds listeners that engineers are, by nature, problem solvers equipped to shape a better world. Subscribe to Penn Engineering’s Innovation & Impact podcast on Apple Music (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/responsible-innovation/id1710434666?i=1000672366469), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5CbLMERH3ELb8ji7bnJlCk) or your favorite listening platforms, or find all the episodes on the Penn Engineering YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbZb2TRlTXcIyd6R1Wg5Ty55SnNR8Y18N). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

6. 

   23 May 2025

   Microelectronics and Entrepreneurship with Kurt Petersen

   Vijay Kumar interviews Kurt Petersen, the father of MEMS, about his journey from IBM research to founding startups, highlighting the importance of bridging academia and industry for aspiring engineering entrepreneurs.

7. 

   29 Apr 2025

   The Future of AI with Yann LeCun

   AI is at the forefront of technological advances and is also reshaping creativity, ownership and societal interactions. In episode 7 of Penn Engineering’s Innovation & Impact podcast, host Vijay Kumar (https://directory.seas.upenn.edu/vijay-kumar/), Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering and Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, speaks with Meta’s Chief AI Scientist and Turing Award winner, Yann LeCun (https://ai.meta.com/people/396469589677838/yann-lecun/), about the journey of AI, how we define intelligence and the possibilities and challenges it presents. With a bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Computer Science, LeCun’s academic background brought him to the AT&T Bell Laboratories after his first postdoctoral position in 1988, right at the cusp of the Internet Age. The work he began in his doctorate and later expanded on at Bell Labs would eventually become the foundational work for what we now know as AI. As testament to this work, LeCun was awarded the 2018 ACM Turing Award (with Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio) for "conceptual and engineering breakthroughs that have made deep neural networks a critical component of computing," a lifetime accomplishment in the field of computer science. Listen to the full episode to hear more on everything from the intelligence of the neural nets that inspired LeCun’s original AI research to computers learning to play chess and how much longer we will have to wait to see machines reach a human level of intelligence. Subscribe to Penn Engineering’s Innovation & Impact podcast on Apple Music (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/responsible-innovation/id1710434666?i=1000672366469), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5CbLMERH3ELb8ji7bnJlCk) or your favorite listening platforms, or find all the episodes on our Penn Engineering YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbZb2TRlTXcIyd6R1Wg5Ty55SnNR8Y18N). Follow Penn Engineering: https://www.youtube.com/@pennengineering (https://www.youtube.com/@pennengineering) https://www.instagram.com/pennengineering (https://www.instagram.com/pennengineering) https://www.linkedin.com/school/penn-engineering (https://www.linkedin.com/school/penn-engineering) https://twitter.com/PennEngineers (https://twitter.com/PennEngineers) https://bsky.app/profile/pennengineering.bsky.social (https://bsky.app/profile/pennengineering.bsky.social) https://www.facebook.com/PennEngineering (https://www.facebook.com/PennEngineering) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

8. 

   10 Feb 2025

   How Engineering and AI are Transforming Human Health

   Episode 6 of the Penn Engineering Innovation & Impact podcast explores how chemical engineering, AI, and biochemistry converge at Penn to power the NSF Artificial Intelligence-driven RNA Foundry (NSF AIRFoundry). Hosted by Vijay Kumar (https://directory.seas.upenn.edu/vijay-kumar/), Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering and Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics. Guests include: Daeyeon Lee (https://directory.seas.upenn.edu/daeyeon-lee/), Russel Pierce and Elizabeth Crimian Heuer Professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, whose work examines the interactions of soft materials at or near interfaces to guide the assembly of macroscopic structures for applications in healthcare and sustainability; Zachary Ives (https://directory.seas.upenn.edu/zachary-ives/), Adani President’s Distinguished Professor and Chair of Computer and Information Science, who works on data integration and sharing, data provenance and trustworthiness, and machine learning systems; and Kathy Liu (https://www.med.upenn.edu/apps/faculty/index.php/g275/p9023995), Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics in Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine, who brings her integral expertise in enzymology, biochemistry, spectroscopy, structural biology and RNA biology to this collaboration. Each episode of Penn Engineering’s Innovation & Impact podcast shares insight from leading experts at Penn and Penn Engineering on science, technology and medicine. Subscribe to the Innovation & Impact podcast on Apple Music (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rna-past-present-and-future/id1710434666?i=1000630216744&itsct=podcast_box&itscg=30200&ls=1__;!!IBzWLUs!XrpKSGO1AbP-77zcBhYEwUmRAOy7rulYirhqBnjisM1mVKxHgfTbSzQ1cDnUGjFXcE64fD3rLFDBDWgoLCNP1MPkreY$), Spotify (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://open.spotify.com/show/5CbLMERH3ELb8ji7bnJlCk__;!!IBzWLUs!XrpKSGO1AbP-77zcBhYEwUmRAOy7rulYirhqBnjisM1mVKxHgfTbSzQ1cDnUGjFXcE64fD3rLFDBDWgoLCNPdYZbb4I$) or your favorite listening platforms or find all the episodes on our Penn Engineering YouTube channel (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbZb2TRlTXcIyd6R1Wg5Ty55SnNR8Y18N__;!!IBzWLUs!XrpKSGO1AbP-77zcBhYEwUmRAOy7rulYirhqBnjisM1mVKxHgfTbSzQ1cDnUGjFXcE64fD3rLFDBDWgoLCNPRfpM8vQ$). Follow Penn Engineering: https://www.youtube.com/@pennengineering (https://www.youtube.com/@pennengineering) https://www.instagram.com/pennengineering (https://www.instagram.com/pennengineering) https://www.linkedin.com/school/penn-engineering (https://www.linkedin.com/school/penn-engineering) https://twitter.com/PennEngineers (https://twitter.com/PennEngineers) https://bsky.app/profile/pennengineering.bsky.social (https://bsky.app/profile/pennengineering.bsky.social) https://www.facebook.com/PennEngineering (https://www.facebook.com/PennEngineering) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

9. 

   9 Oct 2024

   Responsible Innovation

   Today’s world of technology is more complicated than ever before. The ability to rapidly innovate paired with the unpredictability of society can make it difficult for researchers to anticipate all the implications that come with their new innovations. In this current climate, how should those researchers approach innovation with social responsibility at the forefront? In the latest episode of Penn Engineering’s Innovation & Impact podcast, host Susan Davidson (https://directory.seas.upenn.edu/susan-b-davidson/), Weiss Professor in Computer and Information Science (CIS), dives into the topic of “Responsible Innovation” with fellow Penn Engineers at the forefront of revolutionary technological innovations. Panelists include: Michael Kearns (https://directory.seas.upenn.edu/michael-kearns/), National Center Professor of Management & Technology in CIS, who speaks on the topic from a machine learning and AI perspective, touching on the importance of unbiased models, prioritizing privacy and pushing for transparent data sharing; Mark Yim (https://directory.seas.upenn.edu/mark-yim/), Asa Whitney Professor of Mechanical Engineering in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM), who shares insight in the collaboration process that combines his expertise in robotics with disciplines across nursing and psychology; and Daniel Koditscheck (https://directory.seas.upenn.edu/daniel-e-koditschek/), Alfred Fitler Moore Professor in Electrical and Systems Engineering (ESE), who works on applying dynamical systems theory to design machines that can run, jump and climb. His work on autonomous robots also intersects with biologists and other disciplines through the lens of ethical and responsible innovation. Each episode of Penn Engineering’s Innovation & Impact podcast shares insight from leading experts at Penn and Penn Engineering on science, technology and medicine. Subscribe to the Innovation & Impact podcast on Apple Music (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rna-past-present-and-future/id1710434666?i=1000630216744&itsct=podcast_box&itscg=30200&ls=1__;!!IBzWLUs!XrpKSGO1AbP-77zcBhYEwUmRAOy7rulYirhqBnjisM1mVKxHgfTbSzQ1cDnUGjFXcE64fD3rLFDBDWgoLCNP1MPkreY$), Spotify (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://open.spotify.com/show/5CbLMERH3ELb8ji7bnJlCk__;!!IBzWLUs!XrpKSGO1AbP-77zcBhYEwUmRAOy7rulYirhqBnjisM1mVKxHgfTbSzQ1cDnUGjFXcE64fD3rLFDBDWgoLCNPdYZbb4I$) or your favorite listening platforms or find all the episodes on our Penn Engineering YouTube channel (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbZb2TRlTXcIyd6R1Wg5Ty55SnNR8Y18N__;!!IBzWLUs!XrpKSGO1AbP-77zcBhYEwUmRAOy7rulYirhqBnjisM1mVKxHgfTbSzQ1cDnUGjFXcE64fD3rLFDBDWgoLCNPRfpM8vQ$). Follow Penn Engineering: https://www.youtube.com/@pennengineering https://www.instagram.com/pennengineering https://www.linkedin.com/school/penn-engineering https://twitter.com/PennEngineers https://www.facebook.com/PennEngineering Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

10. 

    23 Apr 2024

    Exploring AI in Engineering

    This episode of Innovation & Impact celebrates AI Month at Penn. Susan Davidson, Weiss Professor, Computer and Information Science (CIS) returns as host to discuss how AI is accelerating discovery in fields such as Bioengineering and Computing while also bringing unexpected new challenges in areas such as security. Guests this month are Cesar De La Fuente, Presidential Assistant Professor, Bioengineering; Surbhi Goel, Magerman, Term Assistant Professor, CIS; and Chris Callison-Burch, Associate Professor, CIS. Follow Penn Engineering: https://www.youtube.com/@pennengineering https://www.instagram.com/pennengineering https://www.linkedin.com/school/penn-engineering https://twitter.com/PennEngineers https://www.facebook.com/PennEngineering Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

11. 

    15 Feb 2024

    Energy and Sustainability

    In the most recent episode of Innovation & Impact, Penn Professors Cherie Kagan, Ben Lee, Lei Gu, and Chris Murray discuss how AI, tech, population growth, and other factors will impact the future of energy and sustainability, while also exploring how educational institutions like Penn can lead the way. Follow Penn Engineering: https://www.youtube.com/@pennengineering https://www.instagram.com/pennengineering https://www.linkedin.com/school/penn-engineering https://twitter.com/PennEngineers https://www.facebook.com/PennEngineering Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

12. 

    4 Oct 2023

    RNA: Past, Present and Future

    In the most recent episode of Innovation & Impact, titled “RNA: Past, Present and Future,” David F. Meaney, Solomon R. Pollack Professor in Bioengineering, is joined by Mike Mitchell, Associate Professor in Bioengineering, and Noor Momin, who will be joining Penn Engineering as an Assistant Professor in Bioengineering early next year, to discuss the impact that RNA has had on health care and biomedical engineering technologies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

13. 

    26 May 2023

    The Growth and Impact of Generative AI

    On the the premiere episode of "Innovation & Impact," Michael Kearns, National Center Professor of Management & Technology in Computer and Information Science (CIS), Chris Callison-Burch, Associate Professor in CIS, and Robert Ghrist, Andrea Mitchell University Professor in Electrical and Systems Engineering discuss the growth and impact of generative AI. Susan Davidson, Weiss Professor in Computer and Information Science, serves as panel moderator. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 13 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

16

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

27

Contact Innovation & Impact

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.