Speaker Series: Dr. Dustin Shipp

Name: Speaker Series: Dr. Dustin Shipp
Start: 2025-11-13T13:00:00-07:00
End: 2025-11-13T14:00:00-07:00
Location: Roots of Knowledge

Schedule

Thu Nov 13 2025 at 01:00 pm to 02:00 pm

UTC-07:00

Location

Roots of Knowledge | Orem, UT

Where Are the Modern da Vincis? How Making an Impact Requires Collaboration
Dr. Dustin Shipp; Associate Professor, Physics
Leonardo da Vinci was a historically great artist, engineer, anatomist, architect, and scientist—he could do it all. He and other polymaths are found throughout the Roots of Knowledge images. But in the last centuries, these “experts on everything” have become less common. Modern prominent figures are becoming more specialized. At the same time, many fields—the sciences, in particular—are becoming more interdisciplinary. Instead of a singular Renaissance Man, today’s world gets changed by teams of individuals working together across specialties. How do these teams operate in this ever-evolving interdisciplinary world? How does one get involved? If we can’t become an expert in every subject, what should we learn? This talk explores how, even though we might not become da Vinci, we can create a community with the same world-changing impact.

Dustin Shipp has been teaching physics at Utah Valley University since 2018. His expertise is in optical spectroscopy and applying physics tools to understand biological systems. He and his research students have explored cancer diagnoses, graphene quality control, microplastic classification, bacteria identification, food safety, and fossil composition. Dustin received his BS in Physics and Mathematics from Brigham Young University and Ph.D. in Optics from the University of Rochester. Prior to coming to UVU, he worked at the University of Nottingham researching novel medical devices. Dustin has also developed modest expertise in board games, baseball statistics, and Star Wars trivia. He also has a wife and three daughters, all of whom are even cooler than he is.