A Gathering of Science Scholars National Conference 2006 - Agenda

A GATHERING OF SCIENCE SCHOLARS
Third Annual Conference
Stony Brook University
October 13-14, 2006

AGENDA

Friday, October 13, 2006

Registration and Poster Check-in

9:30am - 10:30am, SAC Lobby

Pre-registered attendees may check-in to receive a nametag, conference program book, a promotional item, and "How to Write a Thesis", a valuable resource material courtesy of Peterson's, a Nelnet Company. Student presenters (poster or oral) will receive set-up instructions. A separate on-site registration will be available for attendees that did not register in advance as well as networking session exhibitors. After check-in and set-up, please proceed directly to the SAC Auditorium for a timely start at 10:30am.

Welcome by Dr. David L. Ferguson

10:30am - 10:40am, SAC Auditorium

Distinguished Service Professor, Chair of the Department of Technology and Society, and Director of the Center for Inclusive Education.

Opening Remarks by Dr. Lawrence B. Martin

10:40am - 11:00am, SAC Auditorium

Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Provost of Analysis and Planning, Stony Brook University.

Keynote Speaker Dr. Mark Hernandez

11:00am - 12:00pm, SAC Auditorium

Associate Professor of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder and Director of the Colorado Diversity Initiative.

Title: Leadership, Reciprocity and our Disappearing Mentors
Mentoring is often cited as a crucial component in a path to academic success, yet the term "mentoring" can mean many different things in different professional cultures and contexts. There is an unfortunate consensus emerging among academic leaders that classical mentoring relationships are disappearing from modern graduate education, and that the term "mentoring" is poorly defined and overused. This presentation will outline the increasing need for classical mentors in the academic community, and identify strategies to help multicultural students establish these vital reciprocal relationships throughout their careers.

Motivational Talk by Dr. Glake Hill,

12:00pm - 1:00pm, SAC Auditorium

Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Jackson State University in Mississippi.

Title: "Growth of a Lion": Empowering the Next Generation of Scientists
One of the most neglected areas in graduate education is the development of leadership. Science in the next 100 years will not only require knowledge but leadership skills. This talk will focus on the tools required to create leaders and empower the next generation of scientists.

Networking Session and Lunch

1:00pm - 3:00pm, SAC Ballroom A

Universities and organizations advertise opportunities for internships, jobs, and graduate study in this career fair like setting. Talk to representatives and collect materials/promotional items which may lead to the next venture in your career. We encourage you to do your homework ahead of time and come prepared with your resume and key questions. Click here for an updated list of universities/graduate programs and organizations participating in this event.

Research Symposium / Student Poster Presentations

3:00pm - 5:00pm, SAC Ballroom B

Undergraduate and graduate students participate in a poster competition (divided into 3 categories: biological, engineering, and math and physical sciences) judged by faculty representing various institutions. Participants will make a brief 5-10 minute presentation up to two (2) times to faculty judges. First place winners will receive $150 and second place winners $100, as well as a GRE Test Prep Kit courtesy of Peterson's, a Nelnet Company. A total of six (6) prizes will be awarded, two for each category.

Faculty Poster and Oral Judges Convene

5:00pm - 5:15pm, SAC Room 309

Dinner and Awards Ceremony

5:15pm - 6:30pm, SAC Ballroom A

Master of Ceremony:

Dr. Peter Gergen, Biochemistry Professor, Director of the Center for Developmental Genetics, and Associate Dean of the Graduate School

Remarks by Dr. Roosevelt Johnson, Program Director (AGEP) at the National Science Foundation, Division of Human Resources Development Presentation of Certificates to Oral and Poster Competition Winners by Stony Brook President, Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny and Dr. David Ferguson. Mr. Mark Zidzick of Peterson's, a Nelnet Company will gift a GRE Test-Prep Kit to all oral presenters and all poster winners.

Closing Remarks by Stony Brook Provost Dr. Robert McGrath

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Saturday, October 14, 2006
Charles B. Wang Center

Continental Breakfast

9:00am - 10:00am, Wang Chapel

Workshop on graduate programs offered at Stony Brook University

10:00am - 11:30am, Wang Theater

Panelists: Faculty Graduate Program Directors and Admission's Chairs A unique opportunity to engage faculty in charge of graduate admissions on key issues regarding the application process, tips on preparing a competitive application, making the most of the interview, advice the GREs, scholarship information, avoiding common pitfalls, career options, and much more...

Open House and Tours of Lab Facilities

11:30am - 12:30pm, Various locations around campus (please see below)

Visit cutting-edge laboratories on campus and hear from faculty and student themselves about the exciting discoveries and projects underway at Stony Brook University
Life/Biological Sciences: Tour facilities such as: The Center for Molecular Medicine’s Brain and Spinal Cord Research , Structural Biology, Infectious Disease, Developmental Genetics, and the Life Sciences Mass Spectroscopy, and Imaging Facility
Engineering/Applied Sciences: Tour facilities such as: The Thermal Spray Laboratory, Electron Microscope Facility, Mechatronics Laboratory, and Manufacturing Laboratory
Physical Sciences: Tour facilities such as: Crystallography, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Drug Discovery Labs, The Seawulf Supercomputer Cluster, and The Linear Accelerator

Closing Lunch

12:30pm - 2:00pm, Wang Chapel

A final opportunity to relax and informally mingle.