UA Chemistry Department to Host STEM Diversity Awareness Conference

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama’s chemistry department will host a day-long symposium featuring research contributions of faculty who are traditionally underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The Saturday, April 27 symposium will be held from 10 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. in 1093 Shelby Hall.

The event’s goal is to “to increase the appreciation of diversity, to encourage students from diverse backgrounds to pursue education in fields in which women and minorities have traditionally been underrepresented, and to strengthen professional and scientific relationships within the region,” according to its website.

The symposium also seeks to open a dialogue on recruitment and retention of under-represented groups. Panel discussions will highlight educational and mentoring support, advantages of a graduate education and research and educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

Undergraduate students conducting research or science, technology, engineering or mathematics-related outreach efforts are encouraged to present posters at the symposium detailing their work.

Registration is free and details are available at http://as.ua.edu/chemdiversityconf/

The event, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the UA College of Arts and Sciences and its department of chemistry, is organized by Dr. Laura Busenlehner, UA assistant professor of chemistry, with assistance from Drs. Carolyn Cassady, UA professor of chemistry and Patrick Frantom, UA assistant professor of chemistry.

Featured speakers include Drs. Abby Parrill, chair of the department of chemistry at the University of Memphis; Pablo Sobrado, professor in the department of biochemistry at Virginia Tech University; and Stefan France, professor in the department of chemistry and biochemistry at Georgia Tech University.

The event is part of “Through the Doors,” a year-long series of activities and events commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the desegregation of UA in 1963 and honoring the courage and dedication of the two African-American students who enrolled in the University on June 11, 1963, as well as the University’s ongoing commitment to change over the past 50 years and its commitment to continued progress in the future.  For more information, visit www.throughthedoors.ua.edu/.