2019 USM PROMISE AGEP Research Symposium & Professional Development Conference

Location:
University of Maryland College Park
Adele H. Stamp Student Union – Center for Campus Life
3972 Campus Dr
Colony Ballroom
College Park, MD 20742

Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Attire: Business Casual

Transportation:
There will be free transportation from UMBC and UMB campus to UMD. Please send an email to promisestaff@gmail.com before February 8, with the subject title, “2019 Research Symposium Bus,” with your name, school, and cell phone number. The bus departs from the UMBC Administration Circle at 7:30 AM. This location is in front of the administration building. The bus will depart from UMD at 4:00 PM and arrive at UMBC around 5:00 PM.

Parking:
If you choose to drive on your own, you may pay to park in the Union Lane Garage – located between the Adele H. Stamp Student Union Center for Campus Life and Cole Field House. Hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily. In this garage, you park in a numbered spot, remember your number, and walk out toward the entrance to enter it into the machine, where you will pre-pay for a certain number of hours. Other parking lot information can be found here: http://cvs.umd.edu/visitors/parking.html.

Important:

• Presentation slots are limited to graduate students within the University System of Maryland.
• A custom webpage will be designed for each presenter. The presenter’s website will include a photo, bio, abstract, synopsis of research, and list of other relevant publications or presentations as applicable. Students who participated in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 can update their current pages.
• Postdocs from universities and organizations outside of the University System of Maryland can participate as mentors and judges for poster sessions.
• All graduate students and postdocs are invited to participate as audience members and attend the professional development workshops.
• Undergraduate students are invited to attend to learn from the presentations.
• Faculty from within the USM are invited to serve as judges to provide constructive feedback.

Join us! Registration is free. 

Register here:

Types of Presentations

This conference will feature STEM-based oral presentations, posters, and professional development seminars. Participants are invited to submit abstracts to participate in three oral categories and one poster category.

Oral Category 1: Traditional Research Presentations

[7 minutes presentation, 3 minutes critique, 2 minutes of questions, traditional PowerPoint presentation]

Oral Category 2: TED-Styled Talks

[5-minute talks + 5 minutes for critique/questions, PowerPoint presentation with images only – no text]

Oral Category 3: Lightning Round Talks (elevator speech)

[2-minute talks with a timer on the screen, no PowerPoints, no critique.]

Posters:

Please print a 4 ft by 3 ft poster.

Call for Abstracts

The slots will be filled in a first come – first get basis, the earlier you submit your application the better chance to get in line with the presentation style of your choice. Those who did not specify a category will be given a space for a poster.

If you are interested in presenting, please follow the schedule below:

January 18, 2019: Abstracts and the information below is required for all presentations types. Email all materials from all four categories below to promisestaff@gmail.com, with the subject: “2019 USM PROMISE AGEP Research Symposium Presenter Information.”

1. Name, school, department, choice of oral category (1, 2, 3) or poster, and title of your presentation. “TED-Styled” and “Lightning Round” titles must be tailored to appeal to a general audience.
2. Formal Abstract (250 words or less). Biographical Sketch (250 words or less)
   • Font: 12 Point, Times New Roman
   • Heading, Left-justified:
     • Title (Bold)
     • Name (Italicized)
     • Department (No abbreviations)
     • University (No abbreviations)
3. General Summary of Graduate Research (250 words or less)
4. High-Quality Photograph
5. Numbered List of up to 5 publications and or/presentations. Please give precedence to publications and conference proceedings as applicable.

All presenters must register.

Agenda

Colony Ballroom, Adele Stamp Student Union, University of Maryland College Park

2019 PROMISE AGEP Research Symposium & Professional Development Conference

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Arrival, Coffee & Refreshments, Registration, Poster Set-Up

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Opening Remarks, Traditional Oral Research Presentations

Welcome:

1. Host’s Opening and Welcome: Jeffrey Franke, Assistant Dean and Chief of Staff, Graduate School, University of Maryland College Park.
2. Moderator: Dr. Renetta Tull, Director of Graduate and Professional Pipeline Development, and Special Assistant to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University System of Maryland.

Oral Category 1: Traditional Research Presentations

1. Linda Moise, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
2. Canessa Swanson, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
3. Ramses Long, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Biology
4. Jeffrey Inen, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Biology

Confirmed Judges:

1. Dr. José A. Ortiz, Assistant Clinical Professor, LEAP Director & Bilingual Certificate Program Coordinator Hearing & Speech Sciences, University of Maryland
2. Dr. Takamasa Kanaya, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Laboratory for Rock Physics, Department of Geology, University of Maryland
3. Dr. Alexis Y. Williams, Instructional Development Specialist, Teaching and Learning Transformation Center, University of Maryland
4. Dr. Isabella Alcañiz, Associate Professor, Department of Government and Politics, University of Maryland
5. Dr. Muhammed Shafeekh Muyyarikkandy, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland
6. Dr. Efrain E. Rodriguez, Associate Professor Chemistry Graduate Program Director Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland
7. Dr. Alfredo Ruiz-Barradas, Associate Research Professor CMNS-Atmospheric & Oceanic Science, University of Maryland
8. Dr. Christopher Bonner, Assistant Professor of History, University of Maryland
9. Dr. Nicole Cousin-Gossett, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, University of Maryland
10. Dr. Daniel Contreras, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Maryland

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Networking Break

10:45 AM – 11:15 AM: “TED-Style” Talks

1. Alex Rittle, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Geography & Environmental Systems
2. Ajmeeta Sangtani, University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), Department of Bioengineering
3. Daniel Teodoro, University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Science (UMCES), Department of Geographical Sciences

Confirmed Judges:

1. Dr. Elizabeth Marie Aparicio, Assistant Professor, Department of Behavioral and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland
2. Dr. Carolyn Fink, Senior Faculty Special EDUC-Counseling, Higher Education and Special Education, University of Maryland
3. Dr. Jennifer Roberts, Assistant Professor, Kinesiology Faculty Associate, University of Maryland Population Research Center and Prevention Research Center, School of Public Health, University of Maryland
4. Dr. Yaqiong Xiao, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, BSOS, University of Maryland
5. Dr. Ricardo Arevalo Jr., Associate Professor, Department of Geology, University of Maryland
6. Dr. Renee F. Hill, Senior Lecturer, Director, School Library Specialization, Associate Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Equity Administrator, University of Maryland
7. Dr. Kelly E. Slay, Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education (CHSE), College of Education, University of Maryland
8. Dr. Richard Prather, Assistant Professor, EDUC-Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland
9. Dr. Christopher Bonner, Assistant Professor of History, University of Maryland
10. Dr. Eusebia Mont, Assistant Clinical Professor, Director, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Emphasis Program (CLD-EP) Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland
11. Dr. Nicole Cousin-Gossett, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, University of Maryland
12. Dr. Ronald Luna, Undergraduate Director, Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland 
13. Dr. Vanessa Frias-Martinez, Assistant Professor, INFO-College of Information Studies
14. Dr. Belinda Huang, Higher Education Administration, The Graduate School, University of Maryland College Park

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM: Lightning Round Talks

1. Brianda Beverly, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Biology
2. Denise Williams, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
3. Lampouguin Y. Douti, University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), Department of Bioengineering
4. Shawnisha S. Hester, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Language, Literacy & Culture (LLC)
5. Erika Aparaka, University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership
6. William Easley, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Information Systems

Confirmed Judges:

1. Dr. Katie White, Assistant Director, Consortium on Race, Gender, and Ethnicity, University of Maryland
2. Dr. Eliza A. Thompson, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Hearing & Speech Sciences, University of Maryland
3. Dr. Akua Asa-Awuku, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland
4. Dr. Hugh Bruck, Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Mechanical Engineering, Office of Advanced Engineering Education, University of Maryland
5. Dr. Kevin M. Daniels, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Institute for Research in Electronics & Applied Physics, University of Maryland
6. Dr. Siddhartha Das, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland
7. Dr. Justicia Opoku, Department of Biology, College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, University of Maryland
8. Dr. Marccus Hendricks, Assistant Professor, Urban Studies and Planning Program, University of Maryland
9. Dr. Gregg Duncan, Assistant Professor, Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland
10. Dr. Carlos A. Machado, Professor, CMNS-Biology, University of Maryland
11. Dr. Keith Yearwood, Lecturer, BSOS-Geography, University of Maryland

12:00 PM – Buffet Lunch

Remarks by Dr. Steve Fetter, Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Maryland College Park (UMD).

12:45 PM – 1:30 PM: Poster Session and Dessert Reception

1. Cassandra Jordan, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), Department of Microbiology and Immunology
2. Annette Kenney, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES), Department of Agriculture, Food, and Resource Sciences
3. Valencia Watson, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering
4. Zoe C. Johnson, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES), Department of Natural Sciences
5. Ellen Freebern, University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), Department of Animal and Avian Sciences
6. Chinedu Ahuchaogu, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES), Department of Natural Sciences
7. Eguono Omagamre, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES), Department of Natural Sciences
8. John Fenimore, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Biology

Confirmed Judges:

1. Dr. Caryn N. Bell, Assistant Professor, Department of African American Studies, University of Maryland
2. Dr. Manuel Franco Sevilla, Assistant Professor, CMNS-Physics, University of Maryland
3. Dr. Claudia Galindo, Associate Professor, Education Policy and Leadership Program, University of Maryland
4. Dr. José A. Feijó, Professor, Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland
5. Dr. Kevin M. Daniels, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Institute for Research in Electronics & Applied Physics, University of Maryland
6. Dr. Craig S. Fryer, Associate Professor, Department of Behavioral and Community Health, Associate Director, Maryland Center for Health Equity, Faculty Associate, Maryland Population Research Center, University of Maryland
7. Dr. Shannon Dunn, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Baltimore
8. Dr. Ebony Terrell Shockley, Associated Clinical Professor, Diversity Officer, Director, Office of Teacher & Leader Education, Director, Master’s Certification Program College of Education, University of Maryland
9. Dr. Diana Obanda, Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences
10. Dr. Nicole LaRonde, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biomolecular Structure and Organization
11. Miryam C. Gerdine, M.P.H., Social Science Research Analyst at Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSAgov), HHS
12. Dr. Keith Yearwood, Lecturer, BSOS-Geography, University of Maryland

Additional Confirmed Judges

Dr. George Kintiba, Lecturer, Department of African American Studies, University of Maryland

Dr. Jarred Young, Keystone Lecturer, Space Power & Propulsion Lab, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland

1:30 PM – 3:15 PM: Professional Development Workshops (postdocs and graduate students)

Session I – 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

“Navigating Graduate School, Postdoc Life, and Career – Fulfilling the PROMISE with Excellence, Social Justice, and Love.”

by our very own Dr. Renetta G. Tull

Founding Director of PROMISE,  Engineering Report II team for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Global Engineering Deans Council/Airbus Diversity Finalist, VP for Initiatives for the Latin and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions (LACCEI), University System of Maryland (12 Institutions): Director of Graduate and Professional Pipeline Development, and Special Assistant to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, http://www.usmd.edu/institutions/; NSF USM LSAMP, NSF USM PROMISE AGEP UMBC: Associate Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives (housed in The Graduate School), Professor of the Practice, College of Engineering & IT @ UMBC. Twitter: @Renetta_Tull, Personal: http://www.renettatull.com, LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/renettatull.

2:15 PM – 2:45 PM: Networking Break

Session II – 2:45 PM – 3:15 PM

“Learning-through-Diversity: Being Inclusive, Being Human”

by Dr. Spencer Benson

Consultant Graduate School and TLTC at UMD
Education Innovations International Consulting, LLC Eii-Consulting LLC

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Closing Reception and Awards Ceremony

This is a research symposium for current University System of Maryland graduate students, postbaccalaureate and postdocs. If you are currently a student in one of the 12 institutions part of the Maryland System, this conference is for you! This is a free event funded by the University of Maryland College Park, OGDI office, and the National Science Foundation. We aim to serve underrepresented students in STEM fields pursuing a graduate degree or faculty position.

2. Postdoctoral position at CMU in experiments on instrumentation and engineering techniques to develop novel invasive and noninvasive neurostimulation

3. Postdoctoral position in Grover/Chamanzar/Barth labs at CMU in experiments on novel invasive and noninvasive neurostimulation

A postdoc position at the intersection of experimental and computational neuroscience is available working jointly with the labs of Pulkit Grover, Maysam Chamanzar, and Alison Barth at Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA). The team’s goal is to develop advanced theoretical techniques, closely with experimental validation, for invasive and noninvasive neurostimulation for advancing treatment of disorders such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s, and brain injuries. The research project will exploit previously unknown or unexploited biological and physical phenomena that arise from examining the neural system from a combined biological, physical, and information-theoretic/control perspective. The project spans studies on rodents, monkeys, and eventually humans. The role of the postdoc will be to conduct and lead electrophysiology experiments on rodents with novel as well as existing instruments. This is an opportunity to work on a challenging scientific problem in a highly interdisciplinary and vibrant environment. The postdoc will be affiliated with the Carnegie Mellon Neuroscience Institute, and will get the opportunity to work with a team of researchers from various disciplines ranging from Biological Sciences, ECE, BME at CMU as well as clinicians at University of Pittsburgh.

Requirements: PhD in a related discipline (Neuroscience or Biomedical Engineering) with a strong experimental research record. Experience in invasive electrophysical recordings and/or stimulation in mice or non-human primates. Prior experience with patch clamp recording and slice electrophysiology. Experience with in-vivo recording and stimulation will be helpful. Experience with optical (1-photon or 2-photon) calcium imaging is also a plus. The labs are committed to the professional development of the members, making this position a valuable preparation for those interested in academic, industrial or entrepreneurial careers. The position has no mandatory teaching or administrative duties.

The ideal start date is Jan 2019. The position is initially for 12 months with the possibility of renewal. Compensation will be competitive, and commensurate with relevant experience. CMU has competitive benefits (including comprehensive medical insurance) and is an equal opportunity employer.

Candidates should send a CV, a statement of research experience and interests, expected date of availability, and the contact information for three references to pulkit@cmu.edu and mchamanz@andrew.cmu.edu with the subject line “Neuro-Stimulation Postdoc”. Application review will proceed until the position is filled.

The NASA Postdoctoral Program offers U.S. and international scientists the opportunity to advance their research while contributing to NASA’s scientific goals. The NPP supports fundamental science; explores the undiscovered; promotes intellectual growth; and encourages scientific connections.

Selected by a competitive peer-review process, NPP Fellows complete one- to three-year Fellowship appointments that advance NASA’s missions in earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics, space bioscience, aeronautics, and engineering, human exploration and space operations, and astrobiology.

Current research opportunities can be viewed online: https://npp.usra.edu/opportunities/ Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in hand before beginning the fellowship but may apply while completing the degree requirements. U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and foreign nationals eligible for J-1 status as a Research Scholar may apply.

Stipends start at $60,000 per year, with supplements for high cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Financial assistance is available for relocation as well as subsidized health insurance, and $10,000 per year is provided for professional and programmatic travel.

Applications are accepted three times each year:

• March 1
• July 1
• November 1

For further information and to apply, visit: https://npp.usra.edu/

Send questions to npphelp@usra.edu.

Graduate Program in Life Sciences and

Office of Postdoctoral Scholars

Career and Professional Development

presents

“Tools for Industry Careers” Series

Featuring Brad Fackler, Senior Director of the Office of BioHealth and Life Science at the State of Maryland Department of Commerce

Brad Fackler joined the State of Maryland Commerce in Spring 2016 with over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.  He was appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to further the growth of the biotechnology sector in the state of Maryland.  Previously, Mr. Fackler served as CEO of Cellona Therapeutics, a technology transfer company focused on the oncology sector.  He was also co-founder and principal of Kinect Point, which provides consulting to biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Please register for sessions in this series to learn about the necessary tools to succeed in Industry!  Click the links below to register via Eventbrite.

“Tools for Industry Careers” Series

Sessions in Howard Hall 450 from 1:30-3:30 pm

December 4th: Negotiating Offers and Making the Transition

December 18th: The Organization of Business

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is pleased to announce the 2018 Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program competition. We know that the biggest challenges in science call for diverse perspectives and original thinking. Through the Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program, HHMI will recruit and retain individuals from groups underrepresented in the life sciences. The program will support early career scientists with the potential to become leaders in academic research. Through their successful careers, HHMI Hanna Gray Fellows will inspire future generations of scientists from America’s diverse talent pool. The Institute will select and support up to 15 Fellows in this competition. The competition is open to all eligible applicants, and no nomination is required.

We appreciate your help in distributing this program announcement and encouraging eligible individuals from your institution, and beyond, to apply. Applicants can establish eligibility and submit an application via the HHMI online competition site.

Applications are due January 10, 2018, at 3:00 PM (Eastern Time).

HHMI announced the selection of 15 exceptional scientists as the inaugural class of HHMI Hanna Gray Fellows. For more information, see our HHMI.org program page or press release.

With best regards,

Erin K. O’Shea, PhD

President

Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Program Overview

Fellows will receive funding ($80,000 annually) for up to four years of their postdoctoral training and may continue to receive funding ($270,000 annually) for up to four years during their early career years as independent faculty. The program includes opportunities for career development, including mentoring and active involvement in the HHMI scientific community.

Eligibility

• The program is open to individuals from gender, racial, ethnic, and other groups underrepresented in the life sciences at the career stages targeted by this program, including those individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• The program is open to basic science researchers and physician-scientists in the biomedical and life science disciplines.
• The program is open to applicants of any citizenship or nationality who:
  • have a PhD and/or MD or equivalent conferred by an institution in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico) by the start of the grant term.
  • have been accepted to join a laboratory as a postdoctoral researcher at a research institution located in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico) at the time of the application due date.
• The postdoctoral training mentor must hold a tenured or tenure-track position (or equivalent) at an institution in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico).
• Applicants can have no more than 12 months of postdoctoral research experience at the time of the application due date.

Selection of Fellows

The review process will assess the applicant’s potential for a career as an independent academic researcher and the quality of the training environment with the selected mentor. The selection of finalists will be made by the end of September 2018. Awards may begin as early as September 18, 2018, but no later than January 15, 2019.

Additional Information

Additional information including a full Program Announcement is available at www.hhmi.org/hanna-h-gray-fellows.  For questions, contact program staff at fellows@hhmi.org.

Featuring a Keynote from Dr. Saundra McGuire

Friday, September 22, 2017 · 8:45 AM – 2:15 PM

UMBC Campus – University Center

The Faculty Developing Center at UMBC extends an invitation to all PROMISE AGEP and Postdoctoral Fellows at UMBC Community to participate.

Please join us for the fourth annual Provost’s Teaching and Learning Symposium!  This symposium, part of the Hrabowski Innovation Fund initiative, will bring together UMBC faculty and staff to discuss ways to use evidence to inform teaching and learning. Samples of sessions include:

Please join us for the fourth annual Provost’s Teaching and Learning Symposium!  This symposium, part of the Hrabowski Innovation Fund initiative, will bring together UMBC faculty and staff to discuss ways to use evidence to inform teaching and learning. Samples of sessions include:

• Hrabowski Innovation Fund Fellows’ and Awardees’ Projects
• Pedagogical Innovation Demonstration
• Bridging Student Learning Outcomes & Student Success Analytics
• Closing the Loop with Evidence Based Interventions
• Effective and Efficient Grading
• Next Steps in Assessing Graduate Student Learning
• …as well as posters

For more information, please download the agenda and a detailed program.

This year’s keynote address will be given by Saundra McGuire, Ph.D., author of Teach Students How to Learn: Strategies You Can Incorporate Into Any Course to Improve Student Metacognition, Study Skills, and Motivation, Stylus Publishing LLC, 2015. 

Keynote: Get Students to Focus on Learning Instead of Grades:  Metacognition is the Key!  21st Century students come to college with widely varying academic skills, approaches to learning, and motivation levels.  Faculty often lament that students are focused on achieving high grades, but are not willing to invest much time or effort in learning.  This session will focus on the importance of helping students acquire simple, but effective learning strategies based on cognitive science principles.  We will engage in interactive reflection activities that will allow attendees to experience strategies that significantly improve learning while transforming student attitudes about the meaning of learning.

Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire is the Director Emerita of the Center for Academic Success and retired Assistant Vice Chancellor and Professor of Chemistry at LSU. Prior to joining LSU, she spent eleven years at Cornell University, where she received the coveted Clark Distinguished Teaching Award.  She has delivered keynote addresses or presented workshops at over 250 institutions in 43 states and eight countries.  Her latest book, Teach Students How to Learn: Strategies You Can Incorporate into Any Course to Improve Student Metacognition, Study Skills, and Motivation, was released in October 2015.  The most recent of her awards is the 2017 American Chemical Society (ACS) Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students to Pursue Careers in the Chemical Sciences.  She received her B.S. degree, magna cum laude, from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA, her Master’s degree from Cornell and her Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where she received the Chancellor’s Citation for Exceptional Professional Promise.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR LUNCH!  PLEASE CLICK “I CAN ATTEND” BELOW BY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 TO REGISTER FOR LUNCH.

https://my.umbc.edu/groups/fdc/events/50998

FACULTY ARE INVITED TO ATTEND ANY OR ALL PRESENTATIONS!

√ Counts toward ALIT Certificate
§ Counts towards INNOVATE Certificate
Ͼ CIRTL graduate students are invited to attend

Join us to discuss ethical, effective, and inspiring mentors

Thursday, September 21, 2017 ,· 8 AM – 8 PM

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and The Graduate School at University of Maryland College Park (UMD) extend an invitation to all Postdoctoral Fellows and Associates and Graduate Students of the USM System interested in pursuing an Academic Career to attend this event.

All events, save for the networking reception, will be held at the University of Maryland, College Park Campus. The reception will tentatively be held at the Milkboy Arthouse, subject to confirmation from the venue.

Adele Stamp Student Union

3972 Campus Drive

College Park, MD 20142

The registration as a cost of $15 for Non-UMD Students or Faculty members.

REGISTER HERE

The symposium has four goals:

1. To recognize and discuss the issues surrounding mentoring in STEM fields.
2. To discuss effective mentorship and advocacy techniques at all levels: PhD, Postdoc, Faculty
3. To provide a platform to connect like-minded young scientists who wish to effect change at their own institutions at the grassroots level.
4. To inspire participants to practice effective mentorship practices and promote these skill sets to their peers and colleagues at their own institutions.

Among the many roles that scientists play, mentoring younger scientists is one which researchers are rarely trained for. In the current STEM research environment, where lack of funding is but one of the systemic issues faced by young scientists, the roles, responsibilities, and career trajectories are changing. Organizations such as Future of Research and Rescuing Biomedical Research have been formed in recent years to address systemic issues facing academic research. Others, such as the National Mentoring Research Network, have arisen to address the training needs of those who wish to remain in academia but receive no formal training in how to supervise and mentor students. Still, there are gaps in the cultural awareness and value of being an inspiring leader, promoting a positive work environment, and in having happy, mentally fit employees. Where other industries recognize these benefits, academic culture lags.

But all of these issues are intertwined, and lead to the pessimism and learned helplessness found in many young researchers regarding their careers across the nation and the world. Because system, training, and culture all intersect to provide a scientist’s well-being and productivity, Labmosphere and Future of Research are holding a conference in collaboration with UMD-College Park to discuss current mentorship practices and the way in which they could be improved upon.

This whole day conference will take place at the end of National Postdoc Appreciation week (September 21st). It will consist of three speakers with break-out sessions in between the talks, as well as a mentorship panel at the end followed by discussion and a networking reception.

Tentative schedule:

8:00 – 9:00 AM

Event Registration and continental breakfast served in main auditorium

9:00 AM – 10: 30 AM

9:00 AM Opening remarks (Blessing Enekwe (UMD); Jeff Franke (UMD); Gary McDowell (FoR))

9:30 AM Keynote Speaker (UMD-Faculty and NRMN Core faculty (Dr. Sandra Quinn))

10:15 AM Questions and first talk wrap-up

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Break-out Sessions for workshops:

Culturally Aware Mentoring (Dr. Sandra Quinn)

Local Advocacy (Gary McDowell and Union of Concerned Scientists)

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Networking lunch in the main auditorium

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

1:00 PM Hypercompetition in Research (Dr. Chris Pickett, Rescuing Biomedical Research)

1:45 PM Courageous and Value-Based Leadership in Academic Research (Brooke Deterline, Courage to Lead)

2:45 PM – 4:00 PM

Break-out Sessions for second round of workshops:

Mentorship across the industry/academia divide (Will Olds, Proteintech)

Support Networks (Juan Pablo Ruiz, Labmosphere)

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Workshop wrap-up and mentoring panel:

Meg Bentley, Director in Residence of Laboratories, Dept of Biology, American University

Andy De Los Reyes, University of Maryland

Belinda Huang, George Washington University

Chinonye “Chi-Chi” Nnakwe, American Association for the Advancement of Science

5:45 PM – 6:00 PM

Transfer to Milkboy Arthouse for Reception

6:00 PM  –  8:00 PM

Final remarks by organizers and networking reception

Official website: http://futureofresearch.org/college-park-2017/

For more information please contact:

Blessing Enekwe, Ph.D.
Program Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
The Graduate School, University of Maryland
2123 Lee Building,
7809 Regents Drive, College Park, MD 20742
(301) 405-6009 I  blessing@umd.edu  I  gradschool.umd.edu  I  @UMDGradSchool
Advancing graduate education. Enhancing the graduate student experience.

Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 

9 a.m. – 10 a.m. 

685 W. Baltimore Street, Medical School Teaching Facility (MSTF) Building, Room 316

The Graduate School, The Office of Postdoctoral Scholars (OPS), The Office of Research Career Development and the PROMISE Program at University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) Campus extend an invitation to all the Postdoctoral Fellows and Associates to attend this event.