2018 Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in STEM Program Book
Co-hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Education and Human Resources Programs (EHR)
National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Human Resources Development (HRD) Directorate of Education and Human Resources
NSF Directorate for Engineering (ENG) Office of Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI)
National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) This material is based upon work supported by the Abstracts published in this program reflect the individual views of National Science Foundation Grant Nos. HRD-1036084 and the authors and not necessarily that of AAAS, its Council, Board of HRD-1242666. Directors, Officers, or the views of the institutions with which the authors are affiliated. Presentation of ideas, products, or publica- ©AAAS 2018 tions at AAAS’ meetings or the reporting of them in news accounts does not constitute endorsement by AAAS. ISBN 978-0-87168-769-2
Conference Program Book Editors: Yolanda George, AAAS, EHR Betty Calinger, AAAS, EHR
Conference Program Book Cover Design: AAAS Programs/ Membership Department
Conference Program Book Design: Donna Behar, AAAS, EHR Contents
Overview of the Conference ...... 6
About ...... 7-9
National Science Foundation (NSF) ...... 7
Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI-REM) ...... 8
National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) ...... 8
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) ...... 9
Welcome Letters ...... 10-11
William J. Lewis and Sylvia M. James, NSF ...... 10
Shirley M. Malcom , Yolanda S. George, and Iris R. Wagstaff, AAAS ...... 11
Conference Staff ...... 12
Hotel Floor Plans ...... 13-14
Conference Agenda ...... 15-21
Biographies ...... 23-31
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel Fact Sheet ...... 32
Judges ...... 33-35
Washington, DC Metro System Map ...... 36
Exhibitor Information ...... 37-49
Overview of the Conference
1 Emerging Researchers National (ERN) • National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) Scholars ; • Research in Disabilities Education (RDE); and Conference in STEM • Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP).
The 2018 Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in The objectives of the conference are to help undergraduate and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is graduate students to enhance their science communication hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of skills and to better understand how to prepare for science Science (AAAS), Education and Human Resources Programs careers in a global workforce. Towards this end, the general (EHR) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of
format for the 2-1/2 day conference includes:
Human Resource Development (HRD), within the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR). The conference is aimed • Student poster and oral presentations. at college and university undergraduate and graduate students who participate in programs funded by the NSF HRD Unit, Other conference activities include workshops focused on: including underrepresented minorities and persons with • Strategies for applying for and succeeding in graduate disabilities. programs and finding funding for graduate school;
• Career preparation for the STEM workforce, including In particular, the conference seeks to highlight the research of employment searches and retention; and undergraduate and graduate students who participate in the • Understanding STEM careers in a global context and NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) Program identifying international research and education and the following NSF HRD-funded programs: opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and • Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate faculty. (AGEP); • Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technol