Announcing the 2025 SSMN Symposium Speakers
Session 1, 8:25-8:55 a.m.
Ashley Flores
Coffee Chats to Career Moves: Networking Your Way Into Industry
Product Coordinator, Global Med
PhD in Nutrional Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, 2025
Krys Williams
Use of Collaboration in Materials Science Research to Enhance STEM Mentoring
Materials Engineer, US Naval Research Laboratory
PhD in Bioengineering, Pennsylvania State University, 2014
Troi Williams
The SET Perceptual Factors Framework: Towards Assured Perception for Autonomous Systems
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Maryland
PhD in Computer Science, University of South Florida, 2021
Session 2, 9:00-10:20 a.m.
Adaku Uchendu
Unveiling Topological Structures from Language: A Comprehensive Survey of Topological Data Analysis Applications in NLP
AI Researcher, MIT Lincoln Lab
PhD in Information Sciences and Technology, Pennsylvania State University, 2023
Paola Baldaguez Medina
Electrochemically-Mediated Strategies for Critical Material Recovery in Flow Systems
Assistant Professor at University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez
PhD in Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2024
Taymee Brandon
Advancing Sustainable Adsorbents for Aqueous Heavy Metal Remediation: Circular Economy Innovations for Water Quality
PhD Candidate in Environmental Engineering and Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellow at Purdue University
M.S. in Enviornmental Engineering, 2019
Maximilian Ororbia
Resilient and Sustainable 3D Printed Concrete Structures
Assistant Professor, College of Engineering at The University of Georgia
PhD in Civil Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, 2023
10:20-10:45 am Break: Coffee, tea, and mid-morning snacks served in M107
Session 3, 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Alex Ororbia
Computational Neuroscience at a Glance: Neurons, Synapses, and Brain-Inspired Computing
Assistant Professor, Computer Science Department at Rochester Institute of Technology
PhD in Information & Technology, Pennslyvania State University, 2018
Kathryn Bailey
From Microbial Sediments to Biotech Solutions: A Sloan Scholar’s Journey Through Academia and Industry as an African American Woman in STEM
Director of Fermentation, Synata Bio
PhD in Civil and Enviornmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 2012
Anthonia Carter
Safe yet brave spaces for creative misfits (to foster interdisciplinary inquiry and innovation)
Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Maryland
PhD in Information Science, Cornell University, 2024
Regina Easley
Science Diplomacy in Action: Lessons from Ocean Chemistry and International Standards
Research Chemist, National Institute of Standards of Technology
Phd in Marine Sciences, University of South Florida, 2013
Barrett Vaughan
Phd in Bioengineering, Pennsylvania State University, 2003
Group Photo, 12:15-12:30 p.m.
Lunch, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Session 4, 1:30-2:45 p.m.
Grace Bulltail
Streamlining A Resource Sovereignty Framework for Tribal Water Resource Management
Assistant Professor, University of Madison-Wisconsin
PhD in Biological & Enviornmental Engineering, Cornell University, 2017
Lauren Hagler
High-throughput Methods to Measure and Predict RNA Interactions in Cells
Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University
PhD in Organic Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2020
William Lafayette Mondy
Molecular Recapitulation in Development: Evolutionary Signatures in Regenerative Gene Networks and ECM Dynamics
Assistant Professor, University of South Florida
PhD in Biomedical Engineering, University of South Florida, 2009
Dayna Patterson
Revealing new enzyme chemistry through the in vitro characterization of a novel ribosomally post-translationally modified peptide
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Northwestern University
PhD in Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, 2021
2:45-3:15 p.m. Break Cookies and beverages served in M107
Session 5, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
Boni Yraguen
The Liminal Graduate Student Experience: Unpacking Systemic Barriers to Progress and Well-being
Postdoctoral Fellow, Pennsylvania State University
PhD in Mechanical Engineering, 2023
Nafisa Ibrahim
Mentoring Undergraduate STEM Students for Effective Workforce Development
Summer Research Opportunities Program Coordinator, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
PhD in Materials Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2025
Dynisty Wright
Science Outside the Classroom: Exploring Outdoor Experiences in Biology Education
Instructor of Biology, Savannah State University
PhD in General Biology, Pennsylvania State University, 2023
Session 6, 4:15-4:50 p.m.
Jennifer Ito
Developing an In-Class Newtonian Mechanics Activity Module using Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory
Assistant Professor of Physics, Westmont College
PhD in Physics, UC San Diego, 2022
Chris Torres
Engaging Non-STEM College Students with Chemical Plastic Recycling Using Coloring Activities
Assistant Teaching Professor, CSU Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering
PhD in Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2023
Michelle Henderson
The BASICs Framework: An Approach to Workforce Development and Career Preparation for Undergraduates
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, American Society of Engineering Education
PhD in Enviornmental Engineering Technology, University of South Florida, 2022
Nekesha Williams
Closing, 4:50-5:00 p.m.
Mentor Experiences: Panel and Alumni-Scholar Discussion, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Dorcas Kaweesa
Raul Rodriguez-Berrios
Andre Wallace