Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Professional Development — Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Innovation Takes Center Stage at Upcoming Founders Night

Georgia Tech’s Institute for Matter and Systems is hosting Founders Night on October 22, 2026, an evening dedicated to celebrating entrepreneurship and bridging the gap between research and real-world impact. This premier networking event will bring together startup founders, Georgia Tech faculty and researchers, venture investors, and industry partners in a collaborative environment designed to spark innovation.

The evening features lightning talks from accomplished entrepreneurs and researchers, including Regents’ Professor Mark Prausnitz (Co-Founder, Micron Biomedical), Harry Watkins (Founder and CEO, Stellar Scale Nano Fabrication), and other visionary leaders in the innovation ecosystem. Attendees will tour state-of-the-art IMS research facilities, including the Marcus Nanotechnology Building, and enjoy networking opportunities with fellow innovators. This event is an excellent opportunity for students, alumni, and industry professionals to explore pathways from cutting-edge research to transformative commercial applications.

Comprehensive Support for Graduate & Teaching Aspirants

Georgia Tech’s Academic Success and Advising team continues to provide robust support for students considering graduate school or teaching careers through regular virtual drop-in advising hours. These sessions, held both Mondays (8:30–9:30 a.m.) and Thursdays (2:00–3:00 p.m.), offer quick guidance on graduate school preparation, fellowship opportunities, and teaching pathways.

Current undergraduate students can access the meeting link through the Navigate360 kiosk, while graduate students and alumni should contact Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu for personalized guidance. Additionally, students are encouraged to join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site, which aggregates resources, events, and fellowships to help prospective applicants prepare for and succeed in graduate programs.

Professional Development & Research Excellence Workshops

Georgia Tech Library is offering several specialized workshops this fall to enhance research and professional skills. The EndNote Workshop on September 24 teaches powerful bibliographic management techniques for organizing research and creating citations seamlessly in Microsoft Word. For those interested in measuring research impact, the Research Impact Tools & Metrics workshop on September 28 covers journal selection, citation tracking, and scholarly identity management.

Beyond traditional research tools, the Institute of Information Technology (OIT) is hosting multiple sessions on M365 Copilot Premium throughout September, designed to help faculty, staff, and students leverage AI-powered productivity tools while maintaining data security. These sessions include hands-on demonstrations and guidance on responsible AI use.

Advanced Computing & Data Science Training

Georgia Tech’s high-performance computing initiative, PACE, is offering the Python 101: Intro to Data Analysis with NumPy workshop on September 30 and November 12. This hands-on course introduces participants to scientific computing with Python, NumPy, and Matplotlib through practical data analysis examples. Participants will work with Jupyter Notebooks on the PACE cluster and gain foundational skills with no prior Python experience required.

Join the Conversation

Whether you’re exploring entrepreneurial ventures, planning your graduate school journey, or advancing your research skills, Georgia Tech’s robust calendar of events and advising services provides pathways to success. Follow Academic Success and Advising on Instagram at @gtsuccess for updates, and don’t hesitate to reach out to any of these outstanding programs. What aspects of professional development are you most interested in pursuing? Share your thoughts in the comments below or connect with us on social media!