Media Advisory: Peter Diamandis, XPRIZE founder, to speak as part of UB Distinguished Speakers Series

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Peter Diamandis, an international pioneer in the fields of innovation, incentive competition and commercial space, will speak at the University at Buffalo at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 14 in the Center for the Arts, North Campus, as part of UB’s Distinguished Speakers Series.

Named one of “The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” by Fortune magazine in 2014, Diamandis’ XPRIZE Foundation hold incentivized prize competitions to push the limits of what’s possible, such as the $10 million Ansari XPRIZE for private spaceflight.

He is also co-founder and vice chairman of Human Longevity Inc., a company focused on extending the healthy human lifespan, as well as executive co-founder of Singularity University, co-founder and co-chairman of Planetary Resources, and co-founder of Space Adventures and Zero-Gravity Corporation. Diamandis’ mission is to open the space frontier for humanity.

Liesl Folks, dean of the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, will introduce Diamandis, and Tom Ulbrich, executive director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership in the UB School of Management, will moderate the Q&A.

Diamandis’ lecture is sponsored by TIAA, which provides financial products and services to employees of nonprofits, including those in the academic, research, medical, government and cultural fields. The event is part of TIAA’s 100th anniversary, which is celebrating difference makers like Peter Diamandis.

During the program, audio and/or video photography, as well as still photography, will be limited to the first five minutes of his lecture.

Working media may reserve tickets by contacting Christine Vidal in the UB Office of Communications at vidal@buffalo.edu or 716-697-2935 no later than noon on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Reserved tickets may be picked up at the will-call window in the Center for the Arts prior to the program. Media may need to show press credentials in order to be admitted to the program.