The Maryland Space Business Roundtable (MSBR) was thrilled to kick off the new year with our January Luncheon, held at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, MD. This event marked the beginning of a new tradition—luncheons on Wednesdays!

Themed “Unlocking Cosmic Potential: Harnessing University Partnerships as Force Multipliers in Our Space Mission,” the luncheon featured an inspiring panel from academia to discuss how Maryland’s universities are collaborating with industry and government to expand opportunities for the aerospace sector.

Key highlights of the discussion included:
– University-Industry Partnerships: Strengthening ties through internships, scholarships, and collaborative events.
– Innovation Ecosystems: How academic initiatives are creating bridges to drive research and technology from the classroom to the cosmos.
– Workforce Development: Addressing the growing need for STEM-educated graduates to meet the demands of the space industry.

We were honored to host a distinguished panel of speakers:
– Dr. Aminta Breaux – President, Bowie State University
– Dr. Jelena Srebric – Director, Center for Sustainability in the Built Environment, University of Maryland
– Dr. Ruey-Hung Chen – Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County

Their insights reinforced the critical role of Maryland’s academic institutions as innovation powerhouses and key partners in our shared mission to advance the aerospace industry.