Events: Science Night

This year Science Night evolved into STEMfest, a three night virtual event with a host of sessions on topics such as innovations in drug discovery, virtual reality techniques, math patterns, coding lessons and snakes of Virginia. The final session, "How did you get here?" was a panel discussion with faculty and professionals sharing their education and career experiences including their struggles and triumphs.

STEMfest was held from March 1 to 3, and had over 300 students, community members, faculty, and staff registered for the event. Session attendance ranged from 20 to over 100. Here are some comments from those who attended the virtual sessions. Presenters included faculty, staff, and other professionals from JMU, VCU, and ODU, as well as Dr. Andre Hudson from Rutgers University.

Below are links to the sessions in case you missed the event.

MONDAY, MARCH 1

6 p.m.
The Life of a Biochemist: The quest for new antibiotics
Presented by Andre Hudson, Rochester Institute of Technology

6:30 p.m.
Why microbes matter. The good, the bad, and the ugly of stuff you can't even see
Presented by Bryan Tims, Hampden-Sydney College and Reynolds Community College.

7:00 p.m.

Ratsnake Phylogeny and Taxonomy: What the heck is going on?
Presented by Travis Anthony, Virginia Herpetological Society

7:30 p.m.
Snakes of Virginia
Presented by Larry Mendoza, Virginia Herpetological Society

Here is a link if you want to know more about the Va Herpetological Society
https://www.facebook.com/vaherpsociety/

TUESDAY, MARCH 2

6 p.m.
Innovative Technology Disrupting Education, Training, Military, & Industry
Presented by Jessica Johnson

6:15 p.m.
AWS Cloud Computing
Presented by Dick Burruss, Professor, Reynolds Community College

6:30 p.m.
RVAir: A Community Science Initiative to Understand Richmond's Air Quality
Presented by Devin Jefferson, Community Science Catalyst
djefferson@smv.org

7:00 p.m.
STEM Transfer Panel
Presented by Elizabeth Heck, VCU STEM Transfer Coordinator
This session ends at the 31 minute mark

7:30 p.m.
Paradigm Shifts in Healthcare and Research Driven by Advances Technology
Presented by Dayanjan S Wijesinghe, Adjunct Associate Professor, VCU
This session begins at 32 minutes

 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3

6 p.m.
Hanover Coyote Project
Presented by Dr. Richard Groover, Retired professor, Reynolds Community College

6:15 p.m.
Discovering Patterns in Nature through the eyes of a Mathematician
Presented by Kim Hasley, Mathematics Instructor, Reynolds Community College

 

6:30 p.m.
Summer Research Opportunities in Biology
Presented by
Corey Cleland, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, James Madison University
Bisi Velayudhan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology, James Madison University

7 p.m.
HAWQS and How you can Help!
Presented by Stecey Heflin, Henricopolis Soil & Water Conservation

 

How did you get here? STEM Professionals and their career journeys
Panel: Jenn Derkits, Otelia Vines, Doug Coleman