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Edison Lecture

Doubling the Capacity of the Panama Canal: How this colossal global engineering project was achieved—and how it is changing the world

Image promoting the Romero Edison Lecture with Romero's headshot over a photograph of the Panama Canal.

Please join us for this Edison Lecture featuring Raul Romero, ND ’75, ’77 (Civil Engineering).

April 18, 2024 at 4 p.m.

Jordan Auditorium, Mendoza College of Business
University of Notre Dame

All are welcome.

Please join us to hear the fascinating story of the expansion of the Panama Canal, from the vantage point of one of the leaders of this enormous global project. The multi-year expansion, which culminated in 2016, added new sets of locks in the Pacific and Atlantic entrances, doubling the size and capacity of the canal to meet the growing demands of maritime trade.

Raul Romero, a native of Panama, graduated from Notre Dame in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He earned his master’s degree in civil engineering from Notre Dame in 1977. In 2020, Romero retired as Executive Chairman for North America of Sacyr Group, a multinational engineering and construction firm based in Madrid, Spain. At Sacyr he led, as Capture Manager, the successful pursuit of the expansion of the Panama Canal.

The Edison Lecture Series was established in 1989 by the Charles Edison Fund to stimulate interest in and encourage participation in science and technology. Notre Dame Engineering’s Edison Lectures are designed to bring new ideas and innovative perspectives on engineering to our community and beyond.

Raul Romero stands with Dean Patricia Culligan at a lectern.
Raul Romero presents during his Edison Lecture on the Panama Canal expansion.
Raul Romero presents during his Edison Lecture on the Panama Canal expansion.
Raul Romero presents during his Edison Lecture on the Panama Canal expansion.
Dean Patricia Culligan presents Raul Romero with an award following his presentation.
Raul Romero presents Dean Patricia Culligan with a gift following his lecture.
Raul Romero takes a question from an audience member following the formal presentation portion of his lecture.
Raul Romero takes a question from an audience member following the formal presentation during his lecture.
Raul Romero talks with students at his lecture.
Raul Romero and Dean Patricia Culligan talk with guests following the Edison Lecture.
Raul Romero talks with a guest at the reception following his lecture.
Raul Romero talks with a guest at the reception following his lecture.

Photos from the Edison Lecture with Raul Romero on April 18