Path to Portfolio — Chemistry Ph.D.

Professor Katherine Franz, Chemistry Chair and GAANN PI, shares a message in response to the recent events in Charlottesville, VA and here in Durham in her “Message from the Chair” on August 18:

It is impossible to wrap up this week and look forward to next week without addressing the horrible events in Charlottesville and their aftermath. For those among us who see these events as isolated manifestations of fringe groups that do not affect our daily work, please know that others among us experience and live different versions of unjust and demeaning acts every day. Right here, in our house. It’s on all of us to fix that, starting with our daily interactions with each other. As scientists, we are brought together by our love of inquiry and precision, data and experimentation. But we excel by being human. It is easy to hide behind our lab coats and cover ourselves in our busy-ness. But if a colleague is suffering, Notice it.  If a colleagues is being unjust, Name it. And if a colleague has just done something great, by all means Nurture it.

Take it as a challenge for the coming week to reach out and let someone know you have their back.  We can do this!!

Recent PhD recipient and former GAANN Fellow, Dr. Julia Roberts, knew that she belonged at Duke when she discovered Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE).  Hear about her efforts to bring science to broader audiences through her work with WiSE on her video post for the Graduate School film series “I Knew I Belonged at Duke When….”.

GAANN Fellow Bob Carden will join Duke Chemistry lab manager, Dr. Daniel Fowler, in Atlanta for the 2017 Cottrell Scholars Collaborative National Teaching Assistant Workshop!  The selection process was competitive and we are thrilled that Bob and Dr. Fowler were selected to attend!  We look forward to hearing about new developments in Teaching Assistance career development as well as improvements to the higher education enterprise upon their return!  Congratulations, Bob and Dr. Fowler!

Join the Graduate Chemistry Council as they host the 3rd annual Nontraditional Careers for STEM PhDs event on May 9 at 5.30pm. Meet and network with professionals outside of traditional research circles. Learn about potential career options available and the skills necessary to translate your PhD into a new profession.  Their panel of experts have all made the transition out of academia and will be there to answer your questions.

The goal of this year’s Symposium is to bring together scientists from many different backgrounds and experiences to take part in a conversation about allyship in STEM.  The event will feature a Keynote Address from Kelly LeMarie, M.S. entitled “Say Something: Allied Behavior Training”, where she will discuss research on the benefit of allies, and a De-Escalation Training Workshop that will provide participants with tangible ways to deal with situations of explicit and implicit bias. Register here for the Keynote and/or Workshop.

Each year we also like to use our Symposium as a time to highlight the exciting and interesting science that is being conducted at Duke with a poster session. We encourage scientists from all fields to apply to present.  Register here to present a poster.

Congratulations to Dr. Julia Roberts, the most recent PhD recipient in the GAANN program!  Julia co-taught Chemistry 302 with Professor David Beratan and worked with Dr. Claire Siburt through the SAGE program throughout her GAANN experience.  Congratulations, Julia, and all the best in your next adventure!

Have you ever experienced or observed gender bias? What was your response?

Imagine you are a manager at your next job and are asked to develop a gender protocol. What would you include?

What aspects of the opposite gender are the most confusing to you? What aspects of your own gender are the most misunderstood by others?

 How does one define gender and is that different from sex?

  To discuss these and other questions you may have in an open & inclusive environment, join DICE’s next Deeper Discussion on Tuesday, February 28^th from 4:30-6PM in Environment Hall 2102 (or Pilkey Conference Room at Beaufort Marine Lab). Food will be served. All faculty, staff and students are welcomed.

NextProf Science is aimed at future faculty—advanced doctoral students or postdoctoral fellows who are interested in an academic career in science at an exceptional academic research institution and who have demonstrated a commitment to diversity.

The science and mathematics departments of the U-M College of Literature, Science, and Arts will host about 50 future faculty participants on the U-M campus to show them the rewards of an academic career, help them understand the faculty search process, and connect them with faculty in their research area, as well as academic leaders, and other participants.

The NextProf Science 2017 workshop is free to participants. Travel, lodging, and meals will be covered by the program!!!

Have you ever needed an ally in the workplace or felt unsure about how to be an ally to your colleagues?

Join Women in Science and Engineering on November 16 for a conversation about being effective and successful allies in your graduate school workplace. The event will include a panel with five graduate students, followed by smaller group discussions led by Dr. Francisco Ramos about workplace bias. Attendees will earn two RCR credits.

Sign up at https://duke.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_0rl6NYt3FGKGA3H.

The October 17, 2016 edition of Chemical & Engineering News featured an article on the LGBT community and the under-representation of the Community as a whole in STEM fields.  Please see the attached article to read more.

A Place at the Bench