Leaders in the Global Biomimicry Movement
We have partnered with the City of San Diego and local universities to become the world’s first biomimicry hub.
Biomimicry in Action
Read all about innovations that have been inspired by nature.
Student Posters
This year, San Diego Zoo Global partnered with Design Institute of San Diego, NewSchool of Architecture and Design, and Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in an entirely student-based, bio-inspired poster project. These members of the design community show that it is not necessary to be a scientist or engineer to practice biological inspiration. Thank you to the students and faculty for their participation in this project and their help in bringing the 2011 Biomimicry Conference to life.
DESIGN INSTITUTE OF SAN DIEGO
Posters from DISD feature innovations inspired by three unique Zoo animals—the elephant, the weaver finch, and the tailless whip scorpion—displayed in a “movie poster” format.
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS
Posters from the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University feature notable innovations from leaders in biomimicry and sustainability.
NEWSCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
Posters from NewSchool feature case studies of bio-inspired architecture and are displayed in a special order following the “evolution” of bioinspiration in architecture from simple mimicking of form to complex implementation of natural function.
EASELS
The easels displaying these posters were designed and built by NewSchool of Architecture and Design. Each easel is made of environmentally conscious plywood and is comprised of multiple interlocking parts, negating the use of unsustainable glues or fasteners. The design uses minimal material while maximizing strength and stability.
Randy Ataide
Executive Director, Fermanian Business and Economic Institute, Point Loma Nazarene University
Shaun Abrahamson
Founder and Chaos Pilot at Colaboratorie mutopo
Paula Brock
Chief Financial Officer, San Diego Zoo Global
James Burke
Science Historian
Author
TV Host/Writer/Producer, Connections
George Chamberlin
Executive Director
The Daily Transcript
Jennifer Fogarty
Portfolio Manager, NASA Human Health and Performance Center
Pete Foley
Associate Director, Cognitive Science Group, Procter and Gamble
Robert Full
Chencellor’s Professor and CiBER Director, University of California Berkeley
Jane Fulton Suri
Managing Partner and Creative Director, IDEO
Jennifer Gille
Staff Engineer, Qualcomm QMT
Todd Gloria
San Diego City Councilmember, District 3
Cheryl Goodman
Director of Marketing, Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
Christian Haeuselmann
Co-founder, swisscleantech
Matt Mason
Best-selling author, The Pirate’s Dilemma
Tom McKeag
Founder and President, BioDreamMachine
Adjunct Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies, California College of the Arts
Lecturer, University of California Berkeley
Graham Milner
Executive Vice President of Global Innovation, WD-40 Company
Lynn Reaser
Chief Economist, Fermanian Business and Economic Institute, Point Loma Nazarene University
Sunni Robertson
Lead Educator Guide, San Diego Zoo Global
Anders Sahl Hansen
Project Manager, Innovation Lab BioMeme at Innovation Lab
David Schenone
Inovation Director for Advanced Concepts, Nike
Ruprecht von Buttlar
Director, Business Creation and Development, CONNECT
Bill Walton
Executive Chairman, San Diego Sports Innovators
The 2011 Biomimicry Conference has been developed with the generous donation of time and effort from the following individuals.
Randy Ataide
Executive Director, Fermanian Business and Economic Institute
Point Loma Nazarene University
Rennie Block
Assistant Director, Continuing Education
University of San Diego
Bill Browning
Partner
Terrapin Bright Green
Jacques Chirazi
Program Manager, CleanTech
City of San Diego
Heather Corcoran
Principal
Plum Studios
Jeffrey Davis
Director, Space Life Sciences
NASA
Pete Foley
Associate Director, Cognitive Science Group
Procter and Gamble
Cheryl Goodman
Director of Marketing
Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
Lindsay James
Director of Strategic Sustainability
InterfaceFLOR
Douglas Kot
Executive Director
United States Green Building Council San Diego
Heather Mason
President
A Caspian Production
Graham Milner
Executive Vice President, Global Innovation
WD-40 Company
Joseph Panetta
President and CEO
BIOCOM
Michael Rondelli
Director of Technology Transfer
San Diego State University Research Foundation
Lisa Shaffer
Lecturer, Rady School of Management
University of California San Diego
Aaron Sklar
Designer for Humanity
IDEO
Patti Streeper
Vice President, Corp. Innovation Group
Hallmark
Robert Suarez
Senior Portfolio Lead
IDEO
Ruprecht von Buttlar
Director, Business Creation and Development
CONNECT
Patrick Wade
Vice President, Global Innovation Sourcing
WD-40 Company
San Diego Zoo Global is committed to sharing innovative ideas and promoting conservation. With the ongoing biomimicry reception series, which is open to the public, we invite visitors to mingle with representatives from multiple disciplines and hear the latest news from leading biomimicry implementers.
San Diego Zoo Global and its collaborating partners are pleased to present these receptions highlighting business and research in the emerging field of biomimicry. Events are held at the San Diego Zoo and feature wine and cheese, networking opportunities, leading business and academic speakers, and special biomimicry-themed encounters with animals.
Reception Details
5 p.m. – Registration opens
5:15 p.m. – Wine, appetizers, and networking
6 p.m. – Speaker presentation begins
Registration cost: $30 Adult; $20 Student
Past Events
Biomimicry in Medicine
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Richard Lieber, Ph.D., Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego
Can studying nature lead to improvements in athletic performance? Hear one orthopedic surgeon’s story of discovery linking bioinspiration and healthcare.
Unveiling the Da Vinci Index
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Lynn Reaser, Ph.D., Chief Economist, Point Loma Nazarene University Fermanian Business and Economic Institute
This reception was the official unveiling of the Da Vinci Index. Featuring Dr. Lynn Reaser, the evening offered a unique look at the first economic index measuring progress in the field of biomimicry. To read a blog summary of the event, click here. To see the initial results of the Da Vinci Index, click here.
Biomaterials and Biomimetics
Presented by the City of Murrieta
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
David Kisailus, Ph.D., University of California, Riverside
Shrimp-inspired body armor. Nano-scale energy generation. Dr. Kisailus and his students look to nature in designing the next generation of engineering products and materials.
Thank you to everyone involved for making the 2011 Biomimicry Conference a fantastic event!
The third annual San Diego Zoo Biomimicry Conference was held on April 14 and 15, 2011, with great success. There were over 250 attendees from throughout the nation and around the world, including Denmark, Switzerland, Canada, and Brazil. This conference received significant media coverage, including three front-page articles on The Daily Transcript. The Conference focused on the economic impact of bio-inspired innovation: how companies have begun to apply nature’s solutions.
Highlights included: keynote speakers from Nike, IDEO, BBC, and University of California, Berkeley, an interactive design workshop, biomimicry-themed bus tours of the Zoo, and panels discussing local, national, and international progress in the emerging field. Participants left feeling that biomimicry can have a profound impact on the economy and conservation and that the San Diego Zoo has positioned itself at the center of this movement. To see a video summary of the Conference, please visit our homepage.
Feedback
“I am honored to have been able to participate in this event. It has renewed my love and respect for the Zoo.” - TEDx San Diego
“Excellent Conference” - WD-40 Company
“Impressive group of speakers and attendees.” - National Institute of Health
“Great presentations. Superb conference. Great opportunity to connect and help foster interdisciplinary teams.” - University of California, Irvine
“The conference exceeded my expectations…inspired me to learn more about nature and what we can learn from the plants and animals around us.” - InnoCentive
“It was truly an exciting meeting—both the topic and the outstanding lineup of speakers! I enjoyed every one of the talks, and each animal as well!” - San Diego Supercomputer Center, University of California, San Diego
“I think the whole conference shows that you have the foundation to give TED and POPTECH a run for their money. That’s impressive.” - Proctor & Gamble
“I learned about the incredible variety of applications for biomimicry. Best conference ever!” - CONNECT
“Amazing line-up of experts from broad range of fields.” - For Benefit
Click here to see a list of 2011 Conference Advisory Board members.
Conference Photos
Sponsorship
Participants of San Diego Zoo Global’s Biomimicry Conference will have the unique opportunity to be exposed to revolutionary thoughts and products in the emerging discipline of biomimicry. Applying nature’s solutions to human design challenges results in game-changing technologies with the ability to achieve economic as well as environmental goals. This annual conference has consistently been a sold-out event and received rave reviews from past attendees. The San Diego Zoo welcomes sponsors to become part of this unique and life-changing experience to usher in the new economy.
All sponsors have the opportunity for exhibit at the conference.
Thank you to our current sponsors:
Contact Helen Cheng at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (619) 557-3927
The San Diego Zoo is pleased to present a series of Biomimicry receptions highlighting business and research in the emerging field of biomimicry. Events will feature wine and cheese, networking opportunities, speakers from the business and academic community, and special encounters with animals.
Click here to register online.
Biomimicry, Innovation and Sustainability
Wednesday September 22, 2010
5:30pm-7:30pm
San Diego Zoo
Pete Foley - Associate Director, Cognitive Science Group, Procter & Gamble
“Innovating for Sustainability: How we can leverage scale and bio-inspiration to create innovative AND sustainable products, services and business practices”
Biomimicry and the Efficiency Revolution
Wednesday October 27, 2010
5:30pm-7:30pm
San Diego Zoo
Cheryl Goodman - Director of Marketing, Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
“Mirasol Case Study: How the humble butterfly may spark an industry revolution”
Biomimicry and the New Economy
Thursday November 18, 2010
5:30pm-7:30pm
San Diego Zoo
Dr. Lynn Reaser - Chief Economist, PLNU Fermanian Business and Economic Institute
“The Economic Impact of Biomimicry: A regional, national and international perspective.”
Registration
Cost: $25 per event
$15 for students
For more information contact Helen Cheng at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (619) 557-3927.