LAB-IREEN Information

LAB-IREEN (LABoratory for Innovative and REsponsible ENgineering workforce) is a research group at Virginia Tech led by Dr. Dayoung Kim. The mission of LAB-IREEN is to conduct transformative research that guides and informs the development of an innovative and responsible engineering workforce, through collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders of engineering practice, including industry, government, and higher education. The group's work spans a diverse set of interconnected topics aligned with this mission, including technology entrepreneurship, industry–academia partnerships, educational/training/ethical implications of emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and advanced manufacturing), and lifelong learning and career pathways of engineering practitioners across organizational contexts. LAB-IREEN takes inspiration from Irene, the Greek goddess of peace and prosperity, symbolizing our commitment to fostering an innovative and responsible engineering workforce that advances both technology and society.