The College of Engineering is excited to announce a new lecture series, titled “Compelling Conversations”, which explores the personal journeys of accomplished professionals from diverse backgrounds.  It is intended to remind us of our shared humanity and vulnerability, while offering a platform to gain a deeper understanding of the diverse paths that can lead to success – both personally and professionally.

We are honored to kick off this series with our inaugural speaker, URI alumnus, Lisa Pruitt, Ph.D., Professor of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Medical Polymer Group at UC Berkeley.  While she is widely recognized as a leader in the field of failure analysis, biomaterials and medical devices, her most consequential achievements have been in her personal life which she details in her latest memoir, Soul of a Professor: Memoir of an Un-engineered Life.

In the world of academia, Prof. Pruitt had it all, being recognized with numerous awards for research, teaching, and mentoring. As her career rose, Lisa painstakingly created an academic façade to lock away what lie within. Hitting rock bottom, Pruitt had to face what she’d kept hidden for nearly three decades: an eating disorder and alcohol addiction.  Deeply ashamed by her inner struggles, Pruitt refused to ask for help within her academic circles, yet traditional recovery paths failed to work. Instead, Lisa’s beloved thoroughbred stepped up and served as her light in the midst of her darkest moments.

We cordially invite you to join us for this compelling discussion, where Lisa will share her powerful journey of self-discovery, finding worthiness within herself that had been there all along.   This event is open to the public and we encourage you to extend the invitation to your family and friends, as we believe this talk will be both enlightening and inspiring.