Trailblazer Speakers Fall 2021
Public Session | Keynote Speakers
Lance Collins
Inaugural Vice President and Executive Director, Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Navigating the complex landscape of "privilege"
Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 6:00-7:00 PM
Following a brief summary of the major milestones of my career, I will delve into the meaning of the loaded and highly contextualized word “privilege” as it applies to different people in different circumstances. I have come to realize that only its absence is visible, hence it creates a complex landscape to negotiate. In my own reflections, it has been a rich tapestry of mentors that enabled me to navigate the unseen twists and turns. In this talk, I will relate 40 years of experience – my college years to the present – the good, the bad and the ugly.
Olivia A. Graeve
Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Director, CaliBaja Center for Resilient Materials and Systems; Editor, Materials Letters University of California, San Diego
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 6:00-7:00 PM
I have often been asked why it is important to promote and implement gender and ethnic diversity in academia and industry. One common justification originates from the social science literature, which describes that diversity has a positive impact on innovation, transparency, and financial performance. However, I do not believe that diversity should only be justified based on economic considerations. Diversity has many more positive outcomes. It promotes human understanding and compassion and allows people of all identities to recognize value in others and themselves. I am convinced it is the solution to world peace, and with a fervent belief in the beauty of peace, have built a variety of bi-national educational programs where diversity takes center stage. The Tijuana-San Diego border region my home is my inspiration. It has allowed me to connect with extraordinary people that are up to the challenge of exploring and solving the extreme social and economic challenges found along the Tijuana-San Diego border, the busiest border in the world, a place where extremes collide and converge to form a unique social fabric and an emerging bi-national identity. As I continue growing my bi-national programs, it is my aspiration and promise that walls and borders all kinds of walls and borders can be eradicated. During my talk, I will share my journey and vision of hope; the hope that we can build something extraordinary, with kindness, compassion, and respect for others.
Town Hall
How to be yourself and succeed as an under-represented engineering faculty?
Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 6:30-7:30 PM
Town Hall Abstract: Balancing the many responsibilities that come with being an engineering faculty member can be challenging. It can be even more so for faculty who are historically underrepresented in engineering, who often have to navigate additional obstacles. Join our panelists as they reflect on experiences and strategies that allowed them to feel comfortable with their identities, all the while thriving in their engineering careers. Ample time will be provided for questions and rich discussion.
Moderator
Barrett Caldwell
Professor of Industrial Engineering and Professor of Aeronautics & Astronautics (By Courtesy), Purdue University, and Director, NASA Indiana Space Grant Consortium
Stephanie G. Adams
Dean and Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair of Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Texas, Dallas and Past President of the American Society of Engineering Education
Richard A. Tapia
University Professor, Rice University; Maxfield and Oshman Professorship in Engineering, Rice University; Adjunct Professor, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Houston; Director, Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP), Rice University; Director, Center for Excellence and Equity in Education, Rice University; Associate Director of Minority Affairs, Office of Graduate Studies, Rice University
Faculty Development Experts
Success Strategies for New Faculty Members
Friday, October 22, 2021 at 12:00-3:00 PM
Richard M. Felder
Hoechst Celanese Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University
Program Managers
Keynote Panel: How to Get Early Career Research Funding?
Friday, October 22, 2021 at 3:30-5:30 PM
National Science Foundation
Ronald D. Joslin
Program Director, Fluid Dynamics, Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, & Transport Systems Division, Directorate for Engineering
Office of Naval Research
Thomas C. Fu
Head, Sea Warfare and Weapons Department, Office of Naval Research
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Joan M. Greve
Scientific Program Manager, Division of Interdisciplinary Training (DIDT) at National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Ellen M. Robinson
Senior General Engineer in the Air Force Office of Scientific Research's (AFOSR) Science and Engineering Division, Science and Engineering Collaboration Branch