Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQatar) has announced the participation of Bowman Heiden, Natalie Jeremijenko and Michael Mauer as speakers for the Tasmeem Doha 2011 “Synapse: Designer as Link” conference.

Tasmeem Doha 2011 will take place at VCUQatar from March 21 to 24.

A business guru, Bowman Heiden is responsible for developing a diverse, effectual knowledge community by knitting together disparate interests through unifying vision.

Heiden is a dynamic linker of people, mediums, companies and research agendas.

As the Innovation Director for the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) he is responsible for driving innovation strategy and intellectual property policy.

Heiden holds degrees in engineering and technology management and his PhD work is in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship with a focus on intellectual property valuation and finance in knowledge-based sectors.

Jeremijenko is an artist and engineer whose background includes studies in biochemistry, physics, neuroscience and precision engineering.

She is currently an associate professor at NYU in the Visual Art Department, and has affiliated faculty appointments in Computer Science and Environmental Studies.

Jeremijenko is also a visiting professor at Royal College of Art, in London and an artist not-in-residence at the Institute for the Future in Palo Alto.

Previously, Jeremijenko was a member of the faculty in the Visual Arts at UCSD and in Engineering at Yale.

Mauer is the chief designer for Porsche AG. Mauer studied automobile design at Pforzheim University, and started his career at Mercedes-Benz.

In 1989, he was appointed design project leader for the Mercedes V Class models, and was in charge of design work for the first SLK model generation.

In 1995 he was appointed head of department and given design responsibility for the A-Class, SLK and SL models.

In 1998, Mauer moved to the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio in Tokyoas general manager.

In 1999, he was appointed as head of Design at Smart, where he was responsible for the initial development of the Roadster Coupe.

Afterwards he moved to head Saab Design and in March 2003 became responsible for GM Europe’s Advanced Design studio in Gothenburg, Sweden.

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