A Gathering of Science Scholars National Conference 2004 - Agenda

A GATHERING OF SCIENCE SCHOLARS

AGENDA

Thursday, April 29 2004

Pre-Conference Dinner Reception

5:00-7:30 PM, CELT, Meville Library E-1337

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Friday, April 30 2004

Registration and Breakfast

8:00-9:00 AM, Wang Center Theater Lobby

Poster Set-up

8:00-8:30 AM, SAC Ballroom B

Welcome and Orientation

9:00-9:30 AM, Wang Center Theater

Concurrent Workshop 1A & 1B

9:35-10:50 AM

Workshop 1A: Getting into Graduate School and Beyond

Wang Theater

An informative discussion about graduate school admissions including: reasons to pursue graduate study; tips on preparing a strong application; how institutions review applications and select candidates; ways to enhance one´s candidacy; factors students should consider when selecting an institution for graduate study; and discussion on careers after graduate study.

Panel Discussion
Speakers:
Dr. Lawrence Martin, Graduate Dean of Stony Brook University (moderator)
Dr. John Mercer, Graduate Dean of Syracuse University
Dr. Jeryl Mumpower, Graduate Dean of the University at Albany
Dr. Alison Power, Graduate Dean of Cornell University
Dr. Richard Sleight, Associate Graduate Dean of Yale University

Workshop 1B: The Joy of a Career in Teaching and Research

Wang Lecture Hall 1

Passion and intellect play important roles in bringing individuals to productive and rewarding professions in teaching and research. Consider these four perspectives. (a) Choose a field where your dedication to hard work is both fueled and rewarded by a deep commitment and passion. (b) Seek to inspire others. In addition to thinking of teaching as a complex, interactive process for increasing students´ knowledge and for developing their ability for critical thinking, teaching can also create a fertile environment for life-changing epiphanies where students can discover their intellectual passion. (c) Seek axioms of wisdom that bring guidance and inspira tion during challenging times. (d) Infuse the classroom with an engaging sense of timeliness by showing that research is humanities´ passionate quest for new knowledge and wondrous connections.

Speaker:
Dr. John Delano, Distinguished Teaching Professor
Departments of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences & Chemistry, University at Albany

Concurrent Workshops 2A & 2B

10:55-12:10 PM

Workshop 2A: Speaking About Science

Wang Theater

An intensive seminar designed to make scientific presentations clearer and more engaging. By viewing issues from the speaker´s side of the podium, the seminar will raise the level of every attendee. Topics covered are: Preparation, Speech Structure, Delivery, Visual Aids and Question & Answer Periods.

Speakers
Barrett Whitener, Premiere Public Speaking

Luncheon:
Building and Linking Communities through Mathematics: Adventures of a Mathematical Biologist

12:20-2:00 PM, SAC Ballroom A

The shortest distance between two points in our journey through life is probably never a line-- particularly when you do not have a map. I wanted to be hotel manager or an actor but ended up as a professor of mathematical biology. My research is now driven by problems of social interest from epidemics to collaborative learning to homeland security. Many of the ideas found in the research that comes out of my group are the result of strong and deep interactions with a large number of undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds including Mexican-, Vietnamese-, Mexican-, Native- and African Americans as well as Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, Colombians, Chinese and Dominicans.

After18 years at Cornell University, I have become the first holder of the Joaquin Bustoz Jr. Professorhip in Mathematics, the first mathematics position named after a Mexican American mathematician, at Arizona State University (ASU). At ASU, in addition to my research and teaching, I direct research and mentorship programs that go from high school to undergraduate to graduate to postdoctoral levels. It is my hope that through this talk you will get some sense of the obstacles that I have had to overcome and why I made the choices that I did and who helped along the way.

Keynote Speaker:
Dr.Carlos Castillo-Chavez
Professor of Applied Mathematics, Arizona State University

Regional Research Symposium and Poster Competition

2:00-4:30 PM, SAC Ballroom B

Networking Session

2:00-4:30 PM, SAC Lobby

Meet and Greet (Light Refreshments)

4:30pm-7:00pm, Wang Chapel

Research Symposium (Poster Competition)

4:45pm-7:00pm, Wang Main Lobby

Awards Ceremony, Evaluation, and Closing

4:40-5:00 PM, SAC Ballroom A

(Desert & Refreshments)