African American Scientist Spotlight

Alice Augusta Ball was an African American chemist who made significant contributions to the development of a treatment for leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, in the early 20th century. She was born on July 24, 1892, in Seattle, Washington, and was the daughter of James P. Ball, Jr., the first Black person to graduate from the University of Washington.

Ball pursued her education at the University of Washington, where she earned a bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical chemistry in 1912 and a master's degree in chemistry in 1914. She was the first woman and first African American to graduate with a master's degree from the University of Hawaii, where she conducted groundbreaking research on the treatment of leprosy.

Ball's most notable achievement was the development of a more effective treatment for leprosy. She discovered a method to isolate the ethyl ester of chaulmoogra oil, which was used traditionally in treating the disease but was not easily absorbed by the body. Ball's method involved creating a water-soluble form of the oil by modifying its chemical structure. This innovation made the treatment more accessible and effective for patients suffering from leprosy.

Unfortunately, Alice Augusta Ball's promising career was cut short when she died at the young age of 24 on December 31, 1916, due to unknown causes. Despite her untimely death, her research laid the groundwork for improved treatments for leprosy and paved the way for advancements in the field of pharmaceutical chemistry.

Today, Alice Augusta Ball is recognized for her pioneering work in chemistry and her significant contribution to the treatment of leprosy. In 2020, the University of Hawaii unveiled a bronze statue of Ball on its campus to honor her legacy and contributions to science and medicine.

References:

1. "Alice Ball." National Institutes of Health: U.S. National Library of Medicine - Changing the Face of Medicine. https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_19.html

2. "Alice Augusta Ball: The Woman Who Cured Leprosy." Chemical Heritage Foundation. https://www.sciencehistory.org/historical-profile/alice-augusta-ball 

Applications are open for the 2024 Graduate Student Research Awards from the Department of Energy! Perform Graduate Theses Research at U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories!

From The Department of Energy Office of Science's webpage:

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science is pleased to announce that the Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program is now accepting applications for the 2024 solicitation 1 cycle. Applications are due on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

SCGSR application assistance workshops will be held on March 7, 2024, 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. ET and April 18, 2024, 2:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. ET. The first workshop will provide a general overview of the program and the application requirements. It will also include a time for attendees to discuss their potential research topics and their alignment with the SCGSR priority areas with managers of each participating program office; register here. The second workshop will guide attendees through the application process, answer general questions, provide guidance on proposal writing, and feature discussions with scientists and former awardees; register here.

The SCGSR program provides supplemental awards to outstanding U.S. graduate students to conduct part of their graduate thesis research at a DOE national laboratory or facility in collaboration with a DOE laboratory scientist. The goal of the program is to prepare graduate students for scientific and technical careers critically important to the mission of DOE’s Office of Science. The research opportunity is expected to advance the graduate students’ overall graduate theses while providing access to the expertise, resources, and capabilities available at the host DOE laboratories.

SCGSR is open to U.S. Ph.D. students in qualified graduate programs at accredited U.S. academic institutions, who are conducting their graduate thesis research in targeted areas relevant to DOE’s Office of Science. Since its inception in 2014, the SCGSR program has provided support to over 1,066 graduate awardees from 161 U.S. universities to conduct thesis research at all 17 DOE national laboratories across the nation.

The SCGSR program is sponsored and managed by the Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists, in collaboration with the Office of Science’s six research programs offices and two research and development and production offices, and with DOE national laboratories/facilities. Program administration support is provided by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

More information on the SCGSR program can be found by visiting the SCGSR program website, attending the program’s virtual office hours which are held every Tuesday between 4:00–5:00 p.m. ET via this Zoom link, or by emailing the SCGSR team.

Summer 2024 research opportunity for high school students interested in microbiology!

SCIENTIFIC ADVENTURES FOR GIRLS

Check out Scientific Adventures for Girls (SAfG) to find exciting science-based activities or opportunities for your little ones! 

SAfG offers after school programs, summer camps and more in Oakland, Emeryville, San Leandro, Richmond and Berkeley, CA! 

Visit the SAfG website for additional information.

Welcome to 20-1-4: the year of opportunities Galore!

I wish you all a Happy, Happy New Year! 

Summer Research
I want to remind all of you that this is the time of year to begin thinking about your plans for Summer 2014. Many research programs will begin soliciting applications now with deadlines occurring between the end of January 2014 thru March 2014. This blog has some summer research programs listed for you to browse through. The most recent addition is the summer research experience for undergraduates (REU) that is available at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. 

FAFSA
Also remember if you are applying for college, that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) is now available for the 2014-2015 school year. When I applied for college, my parents could not support me financially so I filled out a FAFSA.  Thankfully, my college tuition, housing and other fees were primarily paid using grants, loans and work study that I received in my financial aid package. Do not let the cost of attending college deter you! 

Conferences
Scientific conferences occur throughout the year. Remember to determine whether the conference you would like to attend offers travel grants/stipends. Many do, but it may be contingent on submitting an abstract to present your research (orally or as a poster). So check out 1) conference dates, 2) abstract submission deadlines, and 3) travel grant/stipend deadlines. Check out conferences here.

I am sure that there are many other things to consider and remember at this time of the year, but these three topics were immediately on my mind. If you would like to share others, send me an email. Best, Minority.Scientist

LearnLab Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program Description

LearnLab at Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh has an exciting summer research opportunity available to undergraduate students. This research program encourages applications from students who would like to conduct research in the fields of psychology, education, computer science, human-computer interfaces and language technologies.  This program seeks broad participation, including members of underrepresented groups as defined by the National Science Foundation (African American, Hispanic, Native American) who may be considering pursuing further graduate study in the learning sciences.

LearnLab's REU program allows talented undergraduates to spend 8 weeks during the summer in a research laboratory at Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, or one of our research partners. The REU program aims to make LearnLab's programs more visible to students not traditionally exposed to our fields. The REU program supports LearnLab's commitment to training a diverse set of science, technology, education, and psychology leaders.

Applications are encouraged from students who wish to learn to conduct research in a modern academic research laboratory under the guidance of experienced scientists and engineers and experiment in real classroom environments. The REU program will expose students to the excitement and opportunities of a research career. This experience will provide excellent preparation for students interested in subsequently pursuing a Masters or Ph.D. degree. Although students from other years may apply, this opportunity is most fitting for a student at the end of the junior year of undergraduate studies.

Each student will receive a fellowship stipend of $4000 for the eight-week REU program. Food, housing and travel will also be provided. Students will conduct research in an area matched to the interests expressed in the student's application. Guidance and supervision of the research project will be provided by the faculty member as well as, in some cases, a postdoctoral fellow and/or advanced graduate student.

Seminars specific to those participating in the REU program will be held weekly including seminars on graduate admissions and career opportunities in science, education, computer science and engineering. In addition, LearnLab seminars and those held by Carnegie Mellon's Human Computer Interaction Institute and Language Technologies Institute and seminars at Pitt's Language Research and Development Center will be open to the students, giving them exposure to a wide range of research in learning sciences.

REU Program Benefits

There are several benefits that the participating students may receive.

• If the student’s research in the summer is of high quality and has added value to an ongoing research project, past students have been asked to be a coauthor on the research team's publication on that subject. Addition of publications to the resume of a graduate school applicant always greatly improves the application.
• If the quality of the research is high, the faculty member who advised the student would likely be willing to write a letter of recommendation for the student which could be included in a graduate school application.
• Research experience in one of the National Science Foundation's premier research centers will be viewed attractively.
• Scholarships may be available for graduate research on projects in LearnLab. The student should inquire about these possibilities during the summer.

REU Program Dates: Students will begin their research experience on Sunday, June 1, 2014 with a welcoming reception and information session.  The REU program will end on Friday July 25, 2014 with a poster session in the afternoon.. Submission of an application indicates that the applicant agrees to be present from June 1 to 4pm, July 25, 2014 inclusive.

Application Deadline: Deadline for applications is February 17, 2014. Students will be informed of our decision by March 3, 2014.

Minimum Requirements: Applicants must be current undergraduates who are U.S. Citizens or have current F1 visas.  Applicants should have a minimum of 3.5 GPA out of 4.0 although we will consider students who show by other measures that they are exceptional and who have GPAs over 3.2. Class standing and grades in specific subjects that are close to the field of research will also be considered, as are recommendations.

Number of slots/ positions available: LearnLab can accommodate as many as 10 positions, although in any given year, we may decide to fund less than 10 applicants

Funding Source: National Science Foundation

Partner Institutions: Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Learning

Send completed applications to:
LearnLab - Summer Internship Program
c/o Jo Bodnar
3501B Newell-Simon Hall - HCII
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

STEM program at NYU-Poly and Northrop Grumman

NYU-POLY PARTNERS WITH HEAF TO OFFER “STEM” EDUCATION TO MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Science of Smart Cities Program Helps Students Prepare for the “Jobs of Tomorrow” by Exposing Them to Hands-On, Project-Based Curriculum and Leading Energy and Aerospace Experts

NEW YORK – April 18, 2013 – Continuing its tradition of offering the most advanced coursework to its middle and high school students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and other areas, nonprofit Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF) has partnered with the Polytechnic Institute of New York University (NYU-Poly) to expand NYU-Poly’s prestigious Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) program to HEAF’s seventh and eighth graders. SoSC offers New York City public school students the opportunity to learn and apply advanced STEM knowledge and skills through hands-on instruction, innovative curriculum and field trips with the hope to prepare students to pursue STEM careers.  

NYU Poly’s Center for K12 STEM Education builds on an existing academic relationship with HEAF, the leading supplemental education nonprofit in New York City that turns underserved New York City middle and high school students into high-achieving college graduates. Taught by the university’s undergrad students, NYU-Poly’s SoSC offers HEAF’s middle school students the opportunity to learn and understand how various urban systems, including water, waste management, energy and communications, function and how advances in technology and engineering can improve the world’s cities. 

Applying what they have learned in these specialized classes, the students visited the downtown Brooklyn offices of Northrop Grumman, a leading American aerospace and defense technology company as well as an avid supporter of STEM education among K-12 students. HEAF students received instruction from Northrop Grumman engineers who covered a range of contemporary urban topics, such as traffic engineering and sustainability. In May, the program culminates in final projects for which students will construct their own model “smart city” using real-world materials and technologies.

Programs such as NYU-Poly’s SoSC that expose students to STEM fields early in their academic careers are more important than ever. The demand for STEM education is increasing both at the federal and local levels, as the U.S. competes to reassert its position as a global leader in the science and technology fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 2.1 million new jobs in STEM areas will exist by 2020. However, only 23 percent of college freshmen are entering STEM majors, and only a fraction of these students are African American and Latino.  Both HEAF and NYU-Poly are recognized leaders in educating underserved communities.

“As President Obama recently stated in his State of the Union address and has reinforced through his Administration’s Educate to Innovate campaign, we need to better equip students for the demands of a high-tech economy,” said Ruth Rathblott, president and CEO of HEAF. “In order to do that, we must increase STEM literacy among students, especially those from underrepresented groups, and provide hands-on, real-world experiences that pique their intellectual curiosity and build their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Through our great partnership with NYU-Poly and our own curriculum, we are arming our students with highly advanced coursework and exposing them to a higher education experience early on, which will prepare them for college, career and a lifetime of learning.”

“We are delighted to partner with HEAF to provide our STEM curriculum to their students and introduce the field of engineering in the context of urban systems and sustainability,” said Ben Esner, director of the Center for K12 STEM Education at NYU-Poly. “NYU-Poly’s Science of Smart Cities program starts with something young people relate to—their immediate environment—and demonstrates how the tools of science and technology can shape the future they’d like to make happen.”

HEAF’s participation in NYU-Poly’s SoSC is just one example of how HEAF is exposing its students to college-level work and direct experience with higher education institutions. Last year, an NYU-Poly graduate student mentored HEAF’s high school students through the FIRST Tech Challenge robotics competition, during which HEAF students designed, built and programmed robots to compete against other high school teams. HEAF frequently partners with a number of other prestigious universities – such as Barnard College, where students have studied humanities including women’s history, and Touro College, where students have studied health education – to expose them to college-level work that is often not available to inner-city students. For more than 20 years, HEAF has an unmatched track record of success with 100 percent of students graduating high school and 98 percent pursing higher education. This compares to 65 percent of all New York City students graduating high school and only 37 percent of African-American and Hispanic male youth completing high school in four years. For more information about HEAF or the Smart Cities program, visit www.heaf.org. For more information on NYU-Poly’s K12 Center for STEM Education, visitwww.poly.edu/k12stem.

EDITOR’S NOTE: On May 18, 2013 at 12 p.m. ET, HEAF students will present their Science of Smart Cities projects at HEAF (2090 Adam Clayton Powell Junior Boulevard, New York, N.Y. 10027). Media are invited to attend.

About Polytechnic Institute of New York UniversityThe Polytechnic Institute of New York University (formerly the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute and the Polytechnic University, now widely known as NYU-Poly) is an affiliated institute of New York University, soon to be its School of Engineering. NYU-Poly, founded in 1854, is the nation's second-oldest private engineering school. It is presently a comprehensive school of education and research in engineering and applied sciences, rooted in a 159-year tradition of invention, innovation and entrepreneurship. It remains on the cutting edge of technology, innovatively extending the benefits of science, engineering, management and liberal studies to critical real-world opportunities and challenges, especially those linked to urban systems, health and wellness, and the global information economy. In addition to its programs on the main campus in New York City at MetroTech Center in downtown Brooklyn, it offers programs around the globe remotely through NYU-Poly. NYU-Poly is closely connected to engineering in NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai and to the NYU Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP) also at MetroTech, while operating two incubators in downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn. For more information, visit www.poly.edu.

About HEAF

The Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF) is a high-impact supplemental education and youth leadership nonprofit that turns high-potential but underserved New York City public school students into high-achieving college graduates. HEAF enrolls qualifying students in middle school and supports them until they are successfully admitted to ― and graduate from ― four-year colleges. HEAF offers a variety of after-school, Saturday and summer educational and youth development programs that enable students to develop the intellectual curiosity, academic ability, social values and personal resiliency they need to ensure success in school, career and life. HEAF’s track record of success is unmatched in the industry: 100 percent of HEAF students graduate college, 100 percent go on to higher education and 35 percent obtain advanced degrees. For more information about HEAF or to get involved, visit www.heaf.org.

Dory Yochum Scholarship, $5000

MentorNet to award $5000 to an outstanding woman protege in STEM   

DEADLINE MAY 15, 2013  

MentorNet announced today that it will award $5000 to an outstanding woman protege in honor of its long time champion and Chair of the Board of Directors, Dory S. Yochum. 

On December 5, 2010, MentorNet was profoundly saddened to lose Dory. She worked for 32 years at AT&T Labs, rising to the position of Vice-President and Chief Operations Officer. She also served on the Board of Fraser Research and as Chief Administrative Officer of PalmSource. Dory was a leader in research and technology and an exemplar for our protégés and mentors. To honor and promote her legacy, MentorNet has launched this first annual Dory S. Yochum Scholarship.
To be eligible, a  candidate must be a woman currently pursuing any postsecondary degree in any field of science, technology, engineering or math at a partnering campus or society and a current or former protege of MentorNet. 

Apply by May 15, 2013 by sending an email to DoryPrize@mentornet.net with the following:

• A description of your experience as a MentorNet protégé, your current status and pursuits as a student, and your career ambitions. Your entry can be in any medium:
   video or animation (no more than 2 minutes),
  audio (no more than 5 minutes), or
  text (no more than one page); 
• Recommendation from a MentorNet mentor;
• Resume or curriculum vitae, including your contact information

• DEADLINE MAY 15, 2013

Summer Science Opportunities for YOUTH

I came across this webpage today that lists many opportunities for young people to get involved with science-related activities for Summer 2013. Opportunities include internships (paid and unpaid) at places like Kaiser Permanente, NASA, MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC San Francisco, California Academy of Sciences, and the list goes on. I am so happy to find this resource and be able to share it with you, as you all know how excited I am to expose young people to science. Thank you to the Stanford Office of Science Outreach for putting together this great resource!

Contents of the link as described by website: This is a listing of summer science opportunities for students interested in gaining work experience, extending their lab skills and/or going deeper into science!!! This list is provided for informational purposes only, and does not imply endorsement or recommendation by Stanford’s Office of Science Outreach.


Link to resources: Summer Science Opportunities-Internships, Programs and Camps Summer 2013

Blerdology Hackathon

Blerdology Rallies Brick City Blerds

with Rutgers Business School

 at #BlackHack Newark Charity Hackathon April 6-7

Who:  Blerdology, the woman-led social enterprise dedicated to increasing the number of African Americans in technology and the first organization to produce hackathons specifically for the minority tech community

What: Blerdology will be hosting a hackathon with the Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development at Rutgers Business School, MailChimp, Brick City Development Corp and Initiative Consulting Group to benefit the Center for Collaborative Change April 6-7, 2013. The hackathon will close out a 4-day tech weekend celebrating innovation and the advancement of technology throughout the Brick City.

#BlackHack Newark will bring minority coders and developers to build new and innovative apps and websites in a friendly competition format. #BlackHack attendees are exposed to a wealth of industry insights and business consulting and have the opportunity to get their resumes in the hands of top tech corporations. Building projects on site for little to no costs, #BlackHacks are a novel way for budding entrepreneurs to get their projects off the ground, a fun way to benefit budding tech communities, and an unmatched opportunity to meet and recruit the top minority tech talent from around the world.
Though the event is minority focused, tech enthusiasts from all backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to come. Blerdology is still accepting student start-up projects and local business participation for the event.

Newark Tech Weekend:
WEDNESDAY, April 3^rd

·         Tips for Entrepreneurial Success with Mike Michalowicz , Author of The Pumpkin Plan: A Simple Strategy to Grow a Business in any Field

Rutgers Business School, 6:30 pm, Register at http://rbsaa.org

 THURSDAY, April 4^th

·         TEDxNJIT

NJIT, 5-9pm, TEDxNJIT.com/register

FRIDAY, April 5^th

·         STEM Day at St. Phillips Academy

·         The Future of Newark Tech: A Policy Discussion

NJIT, 12-2pm

·         Newark Tech Happy Hour

Loft 47, 5-8pm, RSVP at NewarkTechHappyHour.eventbrite.com

SATURDAY- SUNDAY, April 6-7

·         Brick City Blerds: #blackhack NWK

Rutgers Business School, 9am-9am, Register at blackhacknewark.eventbrite.com

For additional information on Blerdology please visit: Blerdology.co

For sponsorship inquiries or interview requests, please contact Amanda Spann, CMO at 904-476-8003 or  pr@blerdology.co

The New York Academy of Sciences

Check out these events and opportunities from The New York Academy of Sciences!

**Deadline for Poster Abstracts and Travel Fellowship Applications this Friday, March 23, 2012**

12th International Conference on Myasthenia Gravis and Related Disorders Conference

Conference dates: May 21 - 23, 2012

Website & Information: www.nyas.org/MG12

**Deadline for Abstracts is Monday, March 26, 2012**

Genome Integrity Discussion Group Meeting

Event Date: April 2, 2012

Website & Information: http://www.nyas.org/Apr2012

**Deadline for Poster Abstracts next Friday March 30, 2012**

Fetal Programming and Environmental Exposures: Implications for Prenatal Care and Pre-Term Birth Conference

Conference dates: June 11 - 12, 2012

Website & Information: www.nyas.org/FetalProgramming

*Call for Poster Abstracts.  Deadline: April 06, 2012

5th Annual Advances in Biomolecular Engineering Symposium

Event Date: April 27, 2012

Website & Information: http://www.nyas.org/​BiomolEng2012

*Call for Abstracts. Deadline: April 08, 2012

Malaria 2012: Drugs, Vaccines, and Pathogenesis

Event Date: April 17, 2012

Website & Information: http://www.nyas.org/​Malaria2012

*Call for Poster and Short Talk Abstracts.  Deadline: Friday, April 27, 2012

Inositol Phospholipid Signaling in Physiology and Disease

Conference dates: June 26 - 27, 2012

Website & Information: www.nyas.org/Inositol2012

*Call for Poster Abstracts.  Deadline: May 18, 2012

Chemical Biology Discussion Group Year-End Symposium

Event Date: June 6, 2012

Website & Information: http://www.nyas.org/​YearEnd2012

UPCOMING EVENT:

Monday, April 9, 2012 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Introduction to Scientific Teaching

http://www.nyas.org/​ScienceTeaching

Dr. Matthew R. Marcello will introduce key elements of Scientific Teaching in this interactive workshop based on the Howard Hughes Medical Institute/National Academies Summer Teaching Institute on Undergraduate Education in Biology. He will introduce the core Scientific Teaching concepts (active learning, diversity, and assessment) and practical information on how to incorporate these concepts into the classroom to improve your teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes. The workshop will provide current and future faculty the knowledge and skills to incorporate scientific teaching principles into their courses.

About the New York Academy of Sciences

For nearly 200 years, the New York Academy of Sciences has brought together extraordinary people working at the frontiers of discovery and promoted vital links between science and society. The leading minds of academia, industry, and government depend on the unique forum the Academy provides for insight into the most important questions in all disciplines of science. For more information, visit www.nyas.org.

Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Scientific Summer Internship Program

Below is a great opportunity to perform PAID scientific research during Summer 2012. Good luck! -Minority.Scientist 


Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
Scientific Summer Internship Program
Application deadline: January 6, 2012 
Program Dates: June 4th - August 10th, 2012

Program Overview   
Imagine performing research at a leading global pharmaceutical corporation while gaining practical experience and contributing to the search for new disease therapies. Through the scientific intern program at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), your contribution to the search for new disease therapies can begin before you graduate. Our program is designed to introduce talented students to drug discovery and to train them in experimental work in this area.  NIBR's research covers many disease and technology areas, and allows us to closely match your specific interests with one of our labs.

Applications are currently being accepted for opportunities in Biology, Biochemistry, Biostatistics, Chemistry, and Computer Science.  Our program is a paid, full-time summer internship at our Cambridge, MA research facilities.  Financial support towards housing and travel will be available and based on the Company's non-discriminatory assessment of the applicant's financial need. 

NIBR is committed to providing transformative opportunities to students from unique cultural, socioeconomic and educational backgrounds that will benefit from such an experience. This includes, among others, talented individuals who are currently underserved in the sciences, for example, first generation college students, socioeconomically disadvantaged students, and individuals with learning differences.

To apply to the Internship Program in Cambridge, MA  click here.

For internships at our other research sites (Emeryville, CA; Basel, Switzerland; East Hanover, New Jersey; Horsham, United Kingdom), please visit http://www.nibr.com/careers/internships.shtml

Cross-Talk Fellowship!

Here is a great opportunity to attend the CROSS-TALK meeting hosted by the University of Debrecen in Debrecen, Hungary to be held August 31 through September 4, 2010!

CROSS-TALK is an Initial Training Program, funded under the FP7 (European Commission). CROSS-TALK gathers 14 young researchers and 4 associated fellows in Europe in the field of the human microbiome metagenomics to study the health-promoting cross-talk between intestinal microbiota and Humans.

CROSS-TALK is offering fellowships to young researchers to attend this meeting and more information about the conference is available at the Cross-Talk website. Applications are welcomed until July 20, 2010. Check out the agenda for this meeting.  

More about CROSS-TALK (information gathered from the Cross-Talk website):

• The objective is to train a new generation of young scientists, to meet the growing demand for researchers with training in host-microbe interactions and metagenomics, a new supra-disciplinary calling for competencies in microbiology, cell biology, immunology, human physiology, high throughput technologies and bioinformatics, through a personal and adapted training program.

• CROSS-TALK has the overall scientific objective to answer key questions on the role of the host-gut microbiota cross-talk in the development and maintenance of a healthy gut and to achieve major breakthroughs in the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the dialogue between the intestinal microbiota and hosts.

• CROSS-TALK will provide individual training through research projects and organise 3 types of group training events: 1) network meetings allowing scientific exchanges within the network and meeting between all ESRs and supervisors; 2) spring schools focused on the development of transferable skills with a strong involvement of the economic sector and meeting between the economic players and the ESRs; and 3) workshops, time to broaden scientific knowledge and talk with recognized scientists not only in the field of CROSS-TALK but also in cognate fields which represent other career perspectives for the ESRs. Their combination will lead to young researchers who can meet the need of the metagenomics discipline for new curricula and the requirements for European trans-sectorial careers.

Super Saturday! STEM Expo in New York 5/22/10

One of my passions is to get more youth interested in the sciences and thus believe that Super Saturday! in New York City on May 22, 2010 will be awesome. See flyer below for detailed information.

Super Saturday! aims to inspire the next leaders in STEM fields in upper Manhattan, particularly low-income, minority students who may not be exposed to the possibilities of STEM education and careers.  At Super Saturday! there will be hands-on activity stations to engage both children (through high school) and parents in fields of STEM.

More information about the Morningside Area Alliance and its programs can be found at www.morningsidealliance.org.

AcademyHealth Minority Scholars Program

Just came across this opportunity from the AcademyHealth website:

"The newly established AcademyHealth Minority Scholars Program supports the cost of travel and registration for 15 scholars to attend the Annual Research Meeting (ARM), pre-ARM Methods Workshops, and the Disparities Interest Group Annual Meeting. The program also covers the cost of AcademyHealth membership. The goal of the program is to support the professional development of underrepresented minorities in the field of health services research (HSR). Students and fellows with an interest in HSR and/or disparities research are encouraged to apply.

AcademyHealth defines underrepresented minorities in the field of HSR as the following racial/ethnic groups: Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native. This definition is derived from findings of a recent study conducted by Moore and McGinnis."

African-American scientists and inventors

In honor of Black History month, below is a list of African-American scientists and inventors.  As I viewed web pages of the links below, I learned a lot and I am sure you will too! Enjoy!

Patricia Bath  Apparatus to Remove Cataracts

Bessie Blount  Self-Feeding Device for Amputees

Otis F. Boykin  Electrical Resistor and Variable Resistor

George Carruthers  Far-ultraviolet camera/spectrograph

George Washington Carver  Agricultural Innovations

David Crosthwait  Heating, Air Conditioning and Ventilation

George Crum  Potato Chip

Mark Edward Dean (and Dennis Moeller)  Industry Standard Architecture Bus

Ronald Demon  Smart Shoe

Charles Richard Drew  Blood Bank

Meredith C. Gourdine  Electrogasdynamics Systems

Joanna Hardin  CompUrest

W. Lincoln Hawkins  Chemical Additive for Telecommunications Cables

Lonnie Johnson  Super Soaker

Howard Jones  Conformal Antenna Systems

Percy Lavon Julian  Synthesis of Cortisone

Lewis H. Latimer  Carbon-filament Light Bulb

Jan Matzeliger  Shoe Lasting Machine

Elijah McCoy  Automatic Oil Cup

James McLurkin  Robot Ants

Garrett A. Morgan  Safety Hood

Lyda Newman  Synthetic-Bristled Hairbrush

Jessie T. Pope  Thermostatically Controlled Curling Iron

Norbert Rillieux  Sugar Processing Evaporator

Valerie Thomas   Illusion Transmitter

Madam C.J. Walker  Hair Care Products

Hildreth "Hal" Walker  Laser Telemetry and Targeting Systems

Cardinal Warde  Optical Information Processing Technology

Dennis W. Weatherby  Automatic Dishwasher Detergent

Rufus J. Weaver  Stair-Climbing Wheelchair

James Edward West (and Gerhard M. Sessler)  Foil Electret Microphone

Eli Whitney  Cotton Gin

Granville T. Woods  Multiplex Telegraph

Ivan Yaeger  Prosthetic Arm 

Information source:  
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Inventor Archive.

The Importance of Role Models And Mentors

The article, Reaching Gender Equity in Science: The Importance of Role Models And Mentors - Science Careers - Biotech, Pharmaceutical, Faculty, Postdoc jobs on Science Careers, by Laura Bonetta is a great read. Excerpt from the article:

"The number of women embarking on science careers has been increasing steadily during the past several decades. Although women scientists continue to be underrepresented at the faculty level, many women have established rewarding and successful careers in science—thanks in part to having had role models and mentors whose paths they could follow."

Reaching Gender Equity in Science also reminds me of a post I made entitled, "Build your team: How to get mentors" it which I also urged readers to assemble a team of mentors and advisors to help you advance your career in the sciences.
Read the full article.

Women in Science

Visit the listed organizations to learn more about scholarships/fellowships and other valuable career resources (i.e. networking and mentoring opportunities) for women in the sciences.
*American Chemical Society Women Chemists Committee
*American Physical Society Committee on the Status of Women in Physics
*Association for Women in Computing
*Association for Women Geoscientists
*Association for Women in Mathematics
*Association for Women in Science
*Graduate Women in Science
*National Center for Women in Information Technology
*National Research Council Committee on Women in Science and Engineering
*Society of Women Engineers
*Women in Global Science and Technology
Want to add more organizations? Send a link!

History makers in the making: 10 African-Americans contribute to science

It's Black History month and I wanted to highlight the contributions of African-Americans to science. While searching for information to share with you, I found this website, TheGrio.com, which is an excellent resource for learning about and catching up on the latest African-American-centered news. In honor of Black History month, TheGrio.com features 100 African-Americans who are History Makers in the Making. Of these 100, 10 are making extraordinary contributions to science, including Charles Bolden, Robert Bullard, Dr. Agnes A. Day, Tony Hansberry, Lisa Jackson, Shelton Johnson, James McLurkin, Derrick Pitts, PhD., Jerome Ringo, and Beverly Wright.                                     Video featuring Tony Hansberry 
Because of my interest to get more young minorities involved in science, I was excited to learn about 15-year-old Tony Hansberry who "developed a project that showed how to reduce surgical time for hysterectomies, and has "people in his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida are calling him the 'next Charles Drew'." Full article.

More about TheGrio: TheGrio.com is the first video-centric news community site devoted to providing African Americans with stories and perspectives that appeal to them but are underrepresented in existing national news outlets. TheGrio features aggregated and original video packages, news articles, and blogs on topics from breaking news, politics, health, business, and entertainment, which concern its niche audience.  

2010 Science Symposium Jan 29-30 to discuss K-12 STEM-related education!

 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LEADERS tackle critical K-12 issues AT McGraw-Hill EDUCATION’S ‘2010 SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM’  JANUARY 29-30

Science educators and thought leaders from across the country will examine the importance of technology in the classroom with focus on national STEM initiative and 21st-century skill-building

NEW YORK, January 25, 2010 — McGraw-Hill Education’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Learning Solutions Center is bringing together a group of the nation’s top science educators January 29-30, 2010 at the University of Michigan-Dearborn for a two-day symposium to address some of the most important issues in K-12 science education including the power of technology in the classroom and how school districts can incorporate new and emerging technologies in their instruction. These issues, which are at the forefront of the Obama administration’s Educate to Innovate STEM initiative, are part of McGraw-Hill Education’s larger efforts to help increase students’ interest and achievement in science and math, provide them with digital learning solutions and enhance their ability to compete in today’s global economy.

The event, “2010 Science Symposium,” will convene science educators and curriculum leaders from school districts across the country along with university professors and industry thought leaders to discuss issues including:

• The implications of technology on classroom instruction
• Transforming classroom instruction with interactive whiteboards and other digital tools
• Using student polling technologies to support data-driven decision making
• Evaluating Web-based science content
• Utilizing digital imaging in the science classroom
  

Featured guest speakers include, among others, Dr. Richard H. Moyer, author and professor of science education and natural sciences at the University of Michigan, who will present “The Technology of the Ball Point Pen” and Dr. JoAnne Vasquez, a member of the National Science Board and past president of the National Science Teachers Association, who will present “A View from the Top – A National Perspective on Technology and Science Instruction.”

“Today’s teachers are embracing digital tools for the effective delivery of science instruction and are seeing the benefits these technologies generate by making classes more engaging, difficult concepts easier to comprehend and exposing students to worlds beyond their classrooms,” said Michael Comer, national marketing manager in the McGraw-Hill School Education Group specializing in science education. “The symposium will assemble our nation’s science education leaders for an exchange of rich ideas where the participants can weigh in on current technologies, discuss their effectiveness and share best practices for implementing them.”

McGraw-Hill’s symposium partners include:

• Smart Technologies: Will demonstrate the uses of the Smart Board and will include StudentWorks/TeacherWorks/Interactive Chalkboard/Classroom Presentation Toolkit/Internet
  

• Turning Point Technologies: Will provide classroom assessment opportunities with interactive response pads (“clickers”) and will include Interactive Chalkboard/Classroom Presentation Toolkit/Test Generator
  

• Science Kit: Will provide hands-on demonstrations of Digital Imaging Devices (digital microscopes) and will use activities from K-12 Science programs (life, earth and physical science examples)
  

• Vernier Software: Will provide hands-on demonstrations on the use of Probeware and Data Collection Devices and will include activities from K-12 Science programs (life, earth and physical science examples)
  

• American Museum of Natural History: Will discuss the variety and approach to online Professional Development Courses. They will model course format and offerings as related to the elementary, middle school and high school markets
  

• National Science Digital Library: Will demonstrate their collection of web-based science resources for teachers as related to the elementary, middle school and high school markets
  

Held at the University of Michigan at Dearborn, minutes away from Detroit, the symposium will honor the tradition of innovation and technological advancement that characterizes the university and metro Detroit area.
Editor’s Notes: The symposium is open to news media. McGraw-Hill Education’s Art Block, STEM senior vice president, and Michael Comer, longtime science educator, as well as guest speakers are available for interviews to discuss the symposium and larger trends in science education. Content from the symposium can be made available to news media upon request.

About the McGraw-Hill STEM Learning Solutions Center
The McGraw-Hill Education STEM Learning Solutions Center helps students master essential math skills, develop competence with technology, understand science and math concepts, and learn critical thinking and analysis. McGraw-Hill’s PreK-12 programs and digital platforms prepare students for jobs in today’s global economy.

About McGraw-Hill Education
McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is a leading global provider of print and digital instructional, assessment and reference solutions that empower professionals and students of all ages. McGraw-Hill Education has offices in 33 countries and publishes in more than 65 languages. Additional information is available at MHEducation.com