Women in Science Conference 2004

Langston University , Multipurpose Building
Langston , OK
November 19, 2004

 

 Welcome

The Oklahoma NSF EPSCoR program is pleased to announce sponsorship of the "Women in Science Conference 2004" to be held on the campus of Langston University, Friday, November 19, 2004 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Chaired by Dr. Sonya Williams, Associate Professor of Biology at Langston University, the conference will address the existing barriers women face when entering the competitive and challenging fields of nanotechnology and functional genomics.

Successful professionals will discuss experiences and provide suggestions to women considering these and other science- and math-related fields. All interested students, faculty, and industry researchers from Oklahoma and other EPSCoR states are welcome to attend. Attached, please find a flyer, agenda, and registration form for your convenience. There is no cost to participants for registration; however, registration is required. Lunch will be provided. 

Oklahoma NSF EPSCoR will provide a charter bus to Langston University from designated pickup locations in Oklahoma City and Guthrie. To reserve your seat, please select your preference of pickup location when you register.  For participants needing overnight lodging, the designated conference hotel is the Sleep Inn & Suites located in nearby Guthrie, Oklahoma,  off I-35 at 414 Heather Rd. The conference rate is $59 + tax per night for up to 2 people.  Additional room occupants increase the price $5 per person over double occupancy. Please contact the hotel directly at (405) 260-1400 to make your reservation.  Mention the "Oklahoma EPSCoR Women in Science Conference" when making your reservations to ensure that you receive the conference rate. All reservations must be made by November 1, 2004 to receive the EPSCoR negotiated rate.


Speakers & Presentations

 Click on the links below to download the presentations by the speakers at the Women in Science Conference

Dr. Frank Waxman-Oklahoma EPSCoR Program Overview

Dr. Muriel Poston- NSF ADVANCE Program Overview

Dr. Sheena Murphy- Nanotechnology for Fun and Profit

Dr. Elvira Williams- Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: Opportunities for Women

Dr. Patricia Ayoubi- Automating DNA Sequence and Microarray Data Analysis

Dr. Sharon Lewis- Opportunities for Female Researchers to Establish Collaborations in Functional Genomics

Dr. Donna Nelson- Women and Minorities in Science, Math and Engineering Departments

Dr. Ruta Sevo- Overview of NSF Program: Research on Gender in Science and Engineering

Dr. Jean Chen- Understanding Contextual Effects of Gender, Pre-college Characteristics, Learning Preference, and Learning Perceptions on Student Performance in Introductory College Physics

Dr. Julia Zhao- Determination of Bacteria Using Nanotechnology

Dr. Sonya J. Williams- GRE… (Get Ready Early) if You Want to Be a Scientist

Dr. Carla Guthridge- How Do We Learn to Choose the Road Less Traveled?

Ms. Gina Sofola- Women in the Construction Industry: Tests and Triumphs

 

Agenda

November 19,2004 

8:30 a.m.  Registration & Continental Breakfast – Multipurpose Building
9:00 a.m. Welcome – Multipurpose Building
Dr. Jean B. Manning, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Langston University
9:10 a.m. Introductions
Dr. Sonya J. Williams, Conference Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Langston University
9:20 a.m.  “Oklahoma EPSCoR Program Overview,” 
Dr. Frank Waxman, State Director, Oklahoma Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)
9:40 a.m. “NSF ADVANCE Program Overview,”  
Dr. Muriel Poston, Deputy Division Director, Division of Biological Infrastructure, Directorate for Biological Sciences, National Science Foundation
 The NSF ADVANCE program seeks to increase participation of women in the scientific and engineering workforce through increased representation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers. The NSF ADVANCE program provides Fellows Awards, Institutional Transformation Awards, and Leadership Awards that support new approaches to improve the climate for women at academic institutions, and to facilitate the advancement of women to the highest ranks of academic leadership. 
10:00 a.m. Discussion/Q&A
10:15 a.m. BREAK
10:30 a.m. -12:20 p.m. Sessions: “Nanotechnology and Functional Genomics, Growing Networks: Are We In?”
Discussion of existing barriers women face when entering the competitive and challenging fields of nanotechnology and functional genomics. Successful professionals discuss experiences and provide suggestions to women considering these and other science- and math-related fields. 
10:30- 11.25 a.m. Session 1: Nanotechnology

10:30 a.m.       “Nanotechnology for Fun and Profit,” Dr. Sheena Murphy, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, University of Oklahoma

10:50 a.m.       “Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: Opportunities for Women,” Dr. Elvira Williams, Dean,
 College of  Arts and Sciences, Director of PENS, and Professor of Physics, Shaw University, North Carolina 

11:10 a.m.       Discussion/Q&A

11:25 a.m. 12:20  p.m. Session 2: Functional Genomics

11:25 a.m.     “Automating DNA Sequence and Microarray Data Analysis,” Dr. Patricia Ayoubi, Director, Microarray   Core Facility, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University

11:45 a.m.     “Opportunities for Female Researchers to Establish Collaborations in Functional Genomics,” 
Dr. Sharon Lewis, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Langston University

12:05 p.m.      Discussion/Q&A
12:20 p.m. LUNCH – Aramark Dining Facility

Introduction of Speaker: Ms. Doris Jones, Instructor, Department of Mathematics, Langston University 

Women and Minorities in Science, Math and Engineering Departments,” Dr. Donna Nelson, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma
 

1:30 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. Session 3: EPSCoR States: “Women in Science, Are We on the Same Page?”
Round table discussion of the efforts by regional EPSCoR programs to encourage the participation of women in STEM careers including research and development through opportunities, fellowships, and other initiatives. Session led by an NSF program officer.

1:30 p.m.      “Overview of NSF Program: Research on Gender in Science and Engineering,” Dr. Ruta Sevo, Senior  Program Director, Research on Gender in Science and Engineering Program, Directorate for Education 
and Human Resources, Division of Human Resources Development, National Science Foundation

2:00 p.m.      Understanding Contextual Effects of Gender, Pre-college Characteristics, Learning Preference,  and Learning Perceptions on Student Performance in Introductory College Physics,” Dr. Jean Chen, Assistant Director, Office of Institutional Research, University of North Dakota

2:20 p.m.       “Determination of Bacteria Using Nanotechnology,” Dr. Julia Zhao, Assistant Professor, Department of  Chemistry, University of North Dakota

2:40 p.m.       Discussion/Q&A

2:55 p.m.           Break
3:10 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Session 4: Student Development Opportunities – Multipurpose Building

Students are the scientists, business leaders and citizens of tomorrow. Outreach to K-12 and post-secondary students is critical to building the scientific research community in our state, region, and world. Discussion focuses on how to plant seeds of interest and develop K-12 and post-secondary students' skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.”

         3:10 p.m.      “GRE… (Get Ready Early) if You Want to Be a Scientist,” Dr. Sonya J. Williams,
 Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Langston University

3:30 p.m.      “How Do We Learn to Choose the Road Less Traveled?” Dr. Carla Guthridge, 
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Cameron University

3:50 p.m.      “Women in the Construction Industry: Tests and Triumphs,” Ms. Gina Sofola, Owner &
 Project Management Consultant, Sofola & Associates

4:10 p.m.      Discussion/Q&A

 



4:45 p.m. 
 

Closing Remarks