LESC: Twenty Years of Energy, Impact & Joy
About this Event
The Laboratory for Energy Storage and Conversion (LESC) at UC San Diego celebrates Twenty Years of Energy, Impact & Joy at this special occassion honoring Professor Y. Shirley Meng.
- Date: October 14-15, 2026
- Location: Scripps Seaside Forum, La Jolla
Plese join us to celebrate our shared journey and the progress we have made together in advancing the field of energy storage over the past two decades.
Sponsored by the Electrochemical Society (ECS) Student Chapter at UC San Diego
Parking at the Scripps Seaside Forum is very limited. Guests are encouraged to use rideshare or other mode of transportation.
For questions, contact Shen Wang at [email protected].
DAY 1 AGENDA
DAY 1 | RECONNECT & REDISCOVER: The LESC Family Reunion
Morning
🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:45 AM
Welcome Hub Open
🕑: 08:45 AM - 09:00 AM
Opener: "The LESC Story in 5 Minutes"
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Welcome
Host: Dr. Shirley Meng
🕑: 09:15 AM - 09:45 AM
Battery Slam - Round 1
Host: Multiple
Info: In this two-part session, alumni are invited to tell their story: an expected career moment, crazy experiment, or the one thing LESC taught you that no textbook could.
🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:05 AM
Break
Info: Coffee with an ocean view.
🕑: 10:05 AM - 10:35 AM
Battery Slam - Round 2
Info: In this two-part session, alumni are invited to tell their story: an expected career moment, crazy experiment, or the one thing LESC taught you that no textbook could.
🕑: 10:35 AM - 11:00 AM
LESC Trivia Battle
Info: A rapid-fire quiz about all things LESC.
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:20 AM
Fireside Chat: "What Will Batteries Look Like in 50 Years?"
Host: TBD
🕑: 11:20 AM - 11:30 AM
Group Photo #1: “The LESC Family”
🕑: 11:30 AM - 01:30 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:10 PM
"Mentorship Moments"
Info: An opportunity for guests to recount their stories in honor of Dr. Shirley Meng and LESC.
🕑: 02:10 PM - 02:50 PM
Blindfold Coin Cell Assembly Race
Info: The ultimate LESC flex. Who can assemble a CR2032 coin cell blindfolded, fastest and most correctly? A head-to-head tournament on stage with live camera feed projected on the big screen
🕑: 02:50 PM - 03:20 PM
“The Periodic Playlist” — Theme Song Premiere & AI Songs
Info: The centerpiece: a live premiere of “People Always Say It’s Being Tough in LESC,” originally a poem by LESC alumna, Dr. Yixuan Li.
🕑: 03:20 PM - 04:30 PM
Afternoon Break
Info: Snacks and refreshments with an ocean view.
🕑: 04:30 PM - 05:50 PM
The LESC Talent Show
Info: You've seen us do science. Now watch what happens after-hours.
🕑: 05:50 PM - 06:15 PM
Golden Hour Break
Info: Enjoy the sunset, take photos, and refresh for dinner.
🕑: 06:15 PM - 06:45 PM
Welcome Reception
Info: Welcome drinks on the terrace as the sun sets over the Pacific. Curated wine selection and champagne—elegant, relaxed, and perfectly paired with the ocean view.
🕑: 06:45 PM - 08:30 PM
Gala Dinner: “Elements of Excellence”
Info: Dinner on the lawn with an ocean view.
🕑: 08:30 PM - 09:30 PM
Dance Party
Info: An optional activity, but sure to be fun.
DAY 2 AGENDA
DAY 2 | LOOKING FORWARD: Big Ideas, New Paths & the Road Ahead
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Breakfast
Info: Coffee, pastries and a light breakfast on the terrace.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:10 AM
Day 2 Opening Remarks
Info: Quick energy recap of Day 1 highlights, and what's in store for Day 2.
🕑: 09:10 AM - 09:25 AM
"Where It All Started"
Host: UC San Diego ECS Student Chapter
Info: A brief history of the UC San Diego ECS Student Chapter and a tribute to the culture of student leadership that Dr. Shirley Meng has fostered from day one.
🕑: 09:25 AM - 10:15 AM
Distinguished Keynote Address
Host: TBD
🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:35 AM
Morning Break
🕑: 10:35 AM - 11:10 AM
Fireside Chat: "From Lab Bench to Launch Pad"
Info: A candid, moderated conversation with four LESC alumni who left academia to build companies. No pitch decks. Just real talk.
🕑: 11:10 AM - 11:35 AM
"Narrowing the Gap: From Paper to Product"
Host: Dr. Sunny Hy
Info: Dr. Sunny Hy, LESC alumnus and now Sr. Manager of Cell Design and Materials Engineering at Tesla, will speak on the ten-year road from a UC San Diego postdoc bench to leading the team behind Tesla's cell materials roadmap.
🕑: 11:35 AM - 12:00 PM
“Building a Lab from Scratch”
Host: Dr. Chengcheng Fang
Info: Dr. Chengcheng Fang, LESC alumna and now Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, will speak on the realities of starting a research group from zero, offering honest, practical, and inspiring advice for every grad student in the room.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:15 PM
Networking Lunch
Info: At this catered lunch, attendees will connect and network with current LESC students and postdocs as they prepare for careers after LESC.
🕑: 01:15 PM - 01:55 PM
Guest of Honor Keynote: “The Next Frontier”
Host: TBD
Info: A forward-looking keynote from batteries thought leader on their vision for accelerating next-generation batteries, AI and automation.
🕑: 01:55 PM - 02:35 PM
External Industry Panel - Metrology and Scaling
Host: TBD
🕑: 02:35 PM - 02:50 PM
Afternoon Break
🕑: 02:50 PM - 03:30 PM
Closing Fireside Chat: “The Next Chapter for Battery Field”
Info: Joined by colleagues, Dr. Shirley Meng will discuss the future of batteries, the evolving energy landscape, and what drives her, in this relaxed, reflective and inspiring talk.
🕑: 03:30 PM - 03:45 PM
Closing Ceremony & Group Photo
Info: Brief remarks and a final group photo will close out the formal portion of the program.
🕑: 03:45 PM - 05:30 PM
Sunset Happy Hour
Info: At this off-site happy hour, guests will continue to connect with the LESC family.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
