Building a Sustainable and Prosperous Future: UCR Leads the 2025 Inland SoCal OASIS™ Climate Action Conference
RIVERSIDE, CA – [January 15, 2025] – The University of California, Riverside’s Office of Technology Partnerships (OTP) proudly hosted the second annual Inland SoCal OASIS™ Climate Action Conference, reaffirming its leadership in advancing climate resilience, sustainability-driven entrepreneurship, and economic growth in the Inland Southern California region.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event (full details here), the 2025 conference, held on January 15, 2025, convened top researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry leaders to tackle pressing climate challenges through collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
A Powerhouse of Climate Innovation and Regional Growth
The day began with opening remarks by Dr. Rodolfo H. Torres, Vice Chancellor for Research & Economic Development at UCR, followed by an address from Patricia Lock Dawson, Mayor of Riverside, emphasizing the city’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
A key session was the UCR OASIS™ Entrepreneurship & Climate Action Programs panel, featuring Dr. Rosibel Ochoa, Associate Vice Chancellor for Technology Partnerships, and regional business leaders. They discussed the region’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Exploring the Region’s Entrepreneurial Landscape
The panel discussed their role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Nicholas Adcock, President and CEO of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, highlighted the impact of its 800+ members. Representatives from Riverside and Imperial County emphasized their offices' roles in economic development, innovation, and entrepreneur support, while also stressing the importance of policy and regulation in climate action.
Moderated by Dr. Martin Kleckner, Director of UCR’s EPIC SBDC, the panel provided a deep dive into the current state of the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, offering insights on how public-private partnerships are fostering innovation and sustainable economic growth.
Showcasing Climate-Focused Research and Entrepreneurship
A major highlight of the event was the SoCal OASIS™ Entrepreneurial Fellows Program, which showcased the innovative work of early-career faculty and climate researchers. Moderated by Dr. Francisca Reyes, Campus Director of UCR Blackstone LaunchPad, the session featured a diverse group of scholars at the forefront of sustainability and technological advancements.
Dr. Guler introduced Informed, a free AI-powered app designed to provide accessible, multilingual guidance on emergency response, helping vulnerable populations receive critical information during crises.
Dr. Xi Chen presented his research on Phase Change Materials for Free Cooling, which can reduce household energy consumption by 20-40%, leading to significant savings on energy bills. Additionally, these materials lower construction costs by allowing for thinner walls.
Dr. Sam Ying and Dr. William Grover showcased Ottersampler, a device that makes water sampling more affordable. They highlighted the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration and emphasized the importance of water sampling in shaping water policies and ensuring access to clean drinking water.
Dr. George and Dr. Fili discussed their research on climate-resilient crops, focusing on drought-resistant alfalfa and flood-resistant rice. Their genetic modifications have the potential to be applied to other crops, enhancing agricultural sustainability.
Together, these scholars exemplify UCR’s commitment to climate entrepreneurship, demonstrating how scientific research can be transformed into practical solutions that promote sustainability and innovation.
Advancing Climate Research and Business Innovation
The lunch keynote session, led by Dr. Matthew Barth, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education at UCR, provided an in-depth look at CE-CERT’s pioneering efforts in climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. Discussions spanned air quality, sustainable transportation, and renewable energy, showcasing how interdisciplinary collaboration is driving impactful solutions for the region’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Additionally, the 2024 SoCal OASIS™ Sustainability Challenge Winners—Zef Neemuchwala (Super Foam), Dr. Mark Hatch (4th State Energies), and Cooper Proulx (HexHomes)—shared their entrepreneurial journeys.
Zef discussed Super Foam, its progress, and future plans to produce sustainable foam on-site to streamline supply chains. Dr. Mark Hatch shared his experience as a serial entrepreneur, emphasizing failure as a learning opportunity. Cooper (Hex Homes) reflected on starting as a UCR student with little entrepreneurial knowledge but valuing mentorship and support.
They also shared their experiences in the SoCal OASIS Sustainability Challenge, highlighting how they improved their pitching skills and benefited from OTP programs.
Expanding the Dialogue on Global Sustainability
The event featured engaging sessions on sustainability and innovation. "Bridging Horizons: Collaboration for a Resilient Inland Future" brought together Tabetha Johnson and Dr. Jennifer Helbley from La Sierra University’s Sustainability Studies Program, along with Heather Zappia from Uplift San Bernardino, to discuss regional sustainability strategies.
In "Chain Link: How Blockchain Technology Enables Circular Supply Chains," Brett Blalock, Founder of Infinfty, explored how blockchain enhances transparency and traceability in sustainable supply chains.
The "Entrepreneurship & Climate Resilience: International Perspectives" session featured Dr. Taghreed Hikmet from Auckland University of Technology, who shared global climate-driven business solutions. She highlighted New Zealand’s partnership with HMI, leading to the creation of OHMIO, which expanded to the U.S. in 2023. With support from UCR RED and Riverside County, OHMIO is now launching operations and manufacturing in Riverside.
Reflecting on the transformative discussions and collaborations from this event, it’s clear that momentum for climate action and entrepreneurial innovation is stronger than ever. OTP is excited to announce plans for the next Inland SoCal OASIS™ Climate Action Conference in 2026, where we will continue to inspire, connect, and drive change. To be the first to know when the date is confirmed, subscribe to our newsletter and join us in shaping a sustainable future.
About UC Riverside’s Office of Technology Partnerships
As the Inland Empire emerges as a leader in sustainability-driven economic development, UC Riverside’s Office of Technology Partnerships plays a pivotal role in fostering public-private collaborations, supporting startups, and accelerating innovation that benefits the region. The Office catalyzes the translation of UCR’s world-class research into real-world solutions, while UCR EPIC SBDC mentors provide commercialization assistance to startups and emerging businesses. Through collaboration with the private sector and campus-wide entrepreneurial initiatives, the Office is committed to building a thriving innovation ecosystem for students, faculty, and the community. To learn more about The Office of Tech Partnerships and the EPIC SBDC program, please visit here.
Contact Information
Aileen Luib
Assistant Director of Special Programs and Outreach
Office of Technology Partnerships, University of California, Riverside
Phone: 951-827-8516
Email: aileenl@ucr.edu