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NOBCChE
The Northeast and Midwest regions of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers are pleased to announce a joint regional meeting, Northeast by Midwest 2017, to be held at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, March 16-18, 2017. The meeting will run from Thursday evening through midday on Saturday.
The theme for NExM2017 is "Unifying, Collaborating, and Building STEM Success."
Plans for the meeting, which promises to be an informative and worthwhile event, are in progress. If you would like to receive advance notifications as soon as details are available, please send an email to jpauses@pitt.edu with the following information:
- Name,
- Email address,
- Organization/affiliation/college or university,
- Education level/degree,
- Field of technical interest or specialization
As specific details are finalized they will also be posted on the NOBCChE website here.
NOBCChE
The 2016 Lloyd N. Ferguson Young Scientist Awardee, Dr. Darryl Boyd, shared his journey to becoming a research scientist and advice he has for aspiring scientists.
Tweet Dr. Boyd at @DrBoyd_Chemist
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I am a Research Chemist working in the Optical Sciences Division at the US Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. My current focus is developing chalcogenide-based polymers for use in infrared optical applications. With a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Michigan and a master's degree in Biochemistry from Purdue University, I completed a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from Purdue University. Upon completion of my PhD, I did a NRC postdoc at NRL before becoming a full-time employee.
My advice to students interested in obtaining a graduate degree is "Perseverance is a major component to success in graduate school. Everyone pursuing a terminal degree will face obstacles either at school or away from the classroom (and sometimes both). But with the right mindset and sufficient support from those around you, you can succeed as long as you stick with it."
The NOBCChE Communications Team also asked Dr. Boyd a few questions about how he became interested in science and his advice to others.
NOBCChE: How did you become interested in Science? Chemistry?
Dr. Boyd: In addition to my own curiosities, I'd have to say that my parents played a major role in my scientific journey. During the school year, while many of my friends were at home watching cartoons and playing video games on Saturday mornings, my parents had my siblings and I attending a "Hands on Science" program at Western Michigan University in my hometown of Kalamazoo, Michigan. During the summers, while everyone else was enjoying summer vacation, they had us participate in the same program (learning the joys of agriculture while working on a farm). That program featured many minority scientists from WMU and from local companies like Upjohn (now Pfizer) who served as our teachers and mentors. They taught us everything from what an assay is, to how to properly fertilize a garden so that certain crops would grow. Although I hated missing out on all the cartoons, I now see how important that program (and my parents pushing us to be in that program) has been to my career.
NOBCChE: What is the best advice you’ve received?
Dr. Boyd: When I was in college, one of my older cousins said to me, "you're not in college to get an 'A,' you're in college to learn!" That advice was critical to my perspective on success in school. To be sure, I always pursued getting A's, but in the instances that I did not get an 'A,' I made sure that I learned as much as possible from the course. Often, getting an 'A' (especially in undergrad) means that you can regurgitate information once given to you. That is not the same as learning and understanding the concepts. In graduate school you need to actually learn and understand the concepts, and that can be difficult (thus getting an 'A' is not always the outcome). So in your pursuits both inside and outside of the classroom, make sure that you are observant enough to actually learn something, no matter your grades.
NOBCChE: What does NOBCChE mean to you?
Dr. Boyd: I've been involved with NOBCChE since my freshman year in undergrad (15+ years). I served as the chapter President at both my undergraduate and graduate institutions, and have participated in the planning of certain portions of the National Conference. NOBCChE has been principally responsible for a number of the job opportunities I've been given, as well as largely responsible for my network within the scientific community. It is an indispensable resource, and I thoroughly enjoy working with its members. I especially enjoy highlighting the talents and successes within the organization because so often Black people, women and other minority groups do not receive the acclaim that we absolutely deserve.
NOBCChE: What advice to you have for others interested in science?
Dr. Boyd: If you're interested in science, find a mentor who can help you further pursue and achieve your scientific passions.
NOBCChE: Any last comments?
Dr. Boyd: If you'd like to learn more about my work, you can follow my scientific journey at www.darrylboyphd.weebly.com, my community outreach at www.drboydthechemist.com, and my twitter at @drboyd_chemist.
National Science Foundation
The NSF Division of Chemistry is seeking new program rotators. At this time, we are particularly interested in individuals with broad knowledge and demonstrated experience in inorganic and organic synthesis; catalysis (especially surface catalysis and/or heterogeneous catalysis); and nanochemistry with experience in surface analysis and reactivity. A starting date of fall 2017 is of interest, through earlier starts may be possible.
Applications by the end of November are encouraged, but later applications may be considered as well (until the positions are filled). Nominations are also welcomed.
More information about this opportunity can be found here.
We look forward to the addition of new, talented rotators to the division. More information and applications should be submitted to CHE-recruit@nsf.gov.
Scientific American
This past year marked the passing of some of our most beloved cultural icons — from David Bowie, Prince and George Michael to Harper Lee, Gwen Ifill and Zaha Hadid. But we also lost the developer of the first effective treatment for sickle cell disease, the co-discoverer of dark matter and the creator of a 3-D printer that spits out living cells as "bio-ink."
Now in its fourth year, this annual remembrance of notable women in the sciences lost in the past 12 months highlights 10 individuals who made indelible marks on their respective fields. At a time when scientists in general are too often overlooked for their crucial contributions to society, it bears noting that high-achieving women in the STEM fields often go especially underappreciated. With this in mind, here's a look at some of the stars of science and technology who left us in 2016.
READ MORE
The Washington Post
When the winners of the 2016 Nobel Prize in physics were announced recently, some folks in the science community were disappointed that the honor had not gone to the researchers behind this year's historic detection of gravitational waves. It would have been a big, splashy prize for a remarkable discovery — and the rare case of a nearly immediate Nobel nod.
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Entrepreneur
For many entrepreneurs, pitching a stranger for a consulting gig or job interview is intimidating. What exactly do you write? What if you say the wrong thing and waste your one opportunity to make a good impression? Sending that perfect pitch email can be intimidating.
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The Conversation via Scientific American
One of the president's most important responsibilities is fostering science, technology and innovation in the U.S. economy. The relationship between science and policy runs in two directions: Scientific knowledge can inform policy decisions, and conversely, policies affect the course of science, technology and innovation.
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Pew Research Center
A majority of high school seniors in the U.S. say they enjoy science and around 4-in-10 (44 percent) would like to have a job in the field, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress. These sentiments, however, tend to vary by race and ethnicity — a pattern that also is reflected in American students’ test scores in science.
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TIME
Resume trends change quickly. From head shots to QR codes to company logos, it's hard to tell which extras will get your application noticed, and which will get you tossed out of the running.
Some things never go out style, though: When it comes to packaging your work experience, crisp writing and brevity still reign supreme. Add a clean, modern design and some descriptive storytelling, and you're well on your way to landing at least an interview — if not a whole new gig.
READ MORE
Forbes
Liz Ryan writes: "LinkedIn is a job-seeker's best friend — but only if a job seeker uses LinkedIn's features to their advantage!
I hear from battalions of job-seekers who are under the mistaken impression that simply creating a LinkedIn profile will get them a great job. That's false!
LinkedIn is like a Swiss army knife. It's an incredible tool, but it doesn't do the work by itself."
READ MORE
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