Hill-Lopes Scholars Program to host prestigious scientist for campus discussion
Rita Colwell, the first woman to head the National Science Foundation, to virtually visit TU
By Cody Boteler on October 18, 2020
The Hill-Lopes Scholars Program is welcoming Rita Colwell, the first woman to direct the National Science Foundation (NSF), for a virtual discussion about her life, her research career and what it means to be a woman in science.
The digital visit from Colwell is the program鈥檚 first major event since launching in 2019 and will be open to the entire campus community. Colwell, who led the NSF from 1998鈥�2004, will share stories from , 鈥淎 Lab of One鈥檚 Own: One Woman鈥檚 Personal Journey Through Sexism in Science.鈥�
She will also give a presentation on her ongoing research, titled "Oceans, Climate & Human Health - What Cholera Teaches us about COVID-19."
Colwell will speak during a virtual event at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, via Zoom. Registration is online and open to the entire campus community.
鈥淚t will be great for the women in the program to see such a successful scientist,鈥� says Peko Tsuji, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and one of the three faculty leaders for the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program, along with Beth Kautzman and Cindy Ghent. 鈥淚 want them to see that persistence is key.
鈥淗aving Colwell鈥檚 life experiences be a guide, existing as a story on how someone can overcome hurdles in science, is extremely powerful.鈥�
The Hill-Lopes Scholars Program was founded with a generous donation from Barbara Hill and Ancelmo Lopes. The couple has a passion for making science an exciting and welcoming field for underrepresented students.
Learn more about the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program
Students participate in the program for up to three years, beginning in their sophomore year. They receive a scholarship each eligible term and additional financial support to attend conferences or professional development events.
The program currently has two cohorts of students.
Tionna Harris is a chemistry major in her first year with the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program. She says she鈥檇 grade it 鈥渁n 11 out of 10.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 a well-rounded program to help you thrive,鈥� she says. 鈥淔rom all aspects, from community to career.鈥�
Stephanie Prem is a computer science major in her second year with the program. She says things have been different this year because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, but she and her fellow scholars are making the most of it.
That鈥檚 meant having regular meetings鈥攁nd group lunches鈥攐ver Zoom instead of face-to-face, but they鈥檙e still able to forge meaningful connections.
鈥淚t means so much to me. This is the first time I鈥檝e been a part of a group like this, surrounded by women in STEM,鈥� Prem says. 鈥淭he community that we鈥檝e created is just so great and fun to be a part of and so supportive.鈥�
Tsuji says it鈥檚 all about getting the scholars into the best competitive positions possible for successful futures in science or mathematics.
鈥淚t鈥檚 certainly not that the women in our college are less capable than the men,鈥� Tsuji says. 鈥淏ut there is historically less support for women in STEM. We鈥檙e working to really support them, to have the infrastructure to allow them to be successful.鈥�
The virtual visit with Colwell is a way for the campus community to become familiar with the program and understand the kinds of opportunities it can present. Kristin Pinkowski, the program鈥檚 coordinator, says she hopes the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program can establish a speaker series, regularly inviting inspiring guests to campus.
鈥淲e want to have meaningful opportunities and programs for our scholars but also for those outside the STEM community on campus,鈥� Pinkowski says.
Harris says that, in addition to her studies, she likes learning about people and their stories, so she鈥檚 enjoyed Colwell鈥檚 book so far and is looking forward to hearing her speak.
鈥淪he describes her entire experience. I can learn and take advice from that,鈥� Harris says. 鈥淗er book offers a lot of advice on personal development.鈥�
This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel鈥檚 priorities for Towson University: 快活视频Matters to Maryland, Diverse and Inclusive Campus and Culture of Philanthropy.