Dr. Julia Nepper, who at age 23 is one of the youngest Ph.D. recipients in the country, was announced today as a keynote speaker at the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual IceBreaker luncheon taking place Thursday, April 12, at the Kohl Center. Gen. Marcia Anderson, the first African-American woman major general in the history of the U.S. Army, and Syovata Edari, veteran trial lawyer turned chocolatier, have also been announced as IceBreaker keynote speakers.
“In her relentless drive to seek the greater, Dr. Nepper has embarked on a remarkable academic journey that brought her to Greater Madison and, ultimately, the IceBreaker stage,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon in a statement. “IceBreaker is defined by those who are accelerating Greater Madison into the future, and welcoming one of the nation’s youngest Ph.D.’s is an ideal way to help us tell that story.”
Dr. Nepper received her Ph.D. in biophysics from UW-Madison in December. A native of North Carolina, she began attending community college at age 11, received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington at 16 and enrolled in UW-Madison’s graduate program at 18. She is interested in pursuing a career in science outreach, communication and education.
Presented by CUNA Mutual Group, the Chamber’s fourth annual IceBreaker will bring together 1,000 current and future business leaders at the only business event on the floor of the Kohl Center.
