Can you believe it? I have reached my 1-year anniversary, since returning to academics at Claflin University. My professional life has been hectic and out of control at times, but I am making the most of it. This article will discuss the ups and downs of my first year as an assistant professor and what I've learned during the process. Patience and Teaching Since I returned to academia, I realize ...
Well, here I go again! I am off to pursue a new professional opportunity in South Carolina as an assistant professor of chemistry at Claflin University, the oldest HBCU (Historically Black College and University) in the state. Returning to academia after a short detour as editor of the AAAS Minority Scientists Network (MiSciNet) gives me another chance to pursue my passion: helping minority stude...
As it is described in the article entitled "The Lives and Careers of Minority Women Scientists," published in 2000 by Dr. Anne J. MacLachlan, minority women scientists have very broad and interesting career experiences. MacLachlan conducted an interview study of 10 minority women scientists from Berkeley and compared the information to that obtained from a group of women scientists that attended ...
Since the launch of the Minority Scientists Network in February 2002 at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science ( AAAS, publisher of Next Wave), I have talked to several students from underrepresented minority groups about their educational experiences, good and bad. Some of these students are having difficulties in their graduate science programs. Dealing wi...
As it is described in a brief article entitled "History of Harvard Medical School's Office of Recruitment & Multicultural Affairs," Harvard Medical School (HMS) has a very interesting history regarding the recruitment and retention of minority students. Beginning in the late 1960s, the school implemented several initiatives designed to increase the numbers of underrepresented minority students at...
In the back of your mind you know it could happen. You've just moved to this new postdoc position--packed all of your possessions and relocated to a new state in order to work with a particular research scientist. Then, in your first formal meeting with the lab team, your new principal investigator (PI) announces he is taking a semester-long sabbatical leave. It may have been common during your g...
Time has flown by. ... I gave my very first final exam (for graduating seniors) the last week in April. But where did the time go? I have so many responsibilities and I seriously need to master time management. I now realize that as an assistant professor, managing time will always be a difficult task. Nevertheless, I have enjoyed this semester. But I have also learned that in order to truly enjo...
After many long days and evenings, it's finally here! The Minority Scientists Network--an exciting new online resource--is ready and waiting for you! The network--a collaborative effort between Science's Next Wave and the Education and Human Resources directorate at AAAS that has been funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation--will provide support for minority students pursuing studies in...
For approximately 10 weeks during the summer of 2003, I conducted research as a National Science Foundation Research Opportunity Award Fellow (NSF ROA) at Furman and Clemson Universities. The purpose of this opportunity was to allow me and two of my Claflin University undergraduates to expand our research capabilities in polymer science. Tamara Griffith conducted research at Clemson University in...
I doubt that I'll ever forget the great experiences I had at the 2002 Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science ( SACNAS) Annual Meeting. As an African-American scientist, this conference, which was held in Anaheim, California, 26 to 29 September, certainly made me realize that all underrepresented populations face similar issues. These issues include few minorities ...
My first full month as an assistant professor of chemistry at Claflin University was exciting and very hectic! Not surprisingly, my biggest challenge has been learning to balance the time I spend teaching, grading, mentoring, and advising students; attending faculty meetings; and developing a research program. Trust me, 24 hours a day is not enough time! But, I am adjusting, nevertheless. Teachin...
On 17 March 2000, I became only the fourth African-American woman to earn a doctorate in chemistry from Ohio State University in Columbus. I believe I was able to accomplish this in large part because of the early training I received at Highland Park Community College (HPCC). After graduating from Henry Ford High School in Detroit, Michigan, where my grades were not exactly stellar, I enrolled at...
Over time, we have many life-altering experiences. My recent interview with Jennie Patrick, the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, was just such an experience. This pioneer discussed various aspects of her career and life experiences. She talked about her undergraduate years at the University of California, Berkeley, and the challenges she faced working in corpo...
Last year when I attended national meetings, I did so as editor of MiSciNet. Now, I am returning to some familiar stomping grounds as an assistant professor. This is a monumental step for me because conferences provide such vital networking opportunities. This year, I plan to attend three conferences: those of the American Chemical Society ( ACS), the National Organization for the Professional Ad...
Approximately 60 women and men--including panelists Dr. Julia Chan, an assistant professor in the department of chemistry at Louisiana State University; Ms. Vernita Veal, a senior quality control analyst with Shintech; Dr. Marquita Qualls, a research investigator with GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals; and Ms. April Idleburg, a supervisory forensic chemist with the Drug Enforcement Administration (...
The Gradschool Shopper Web site is an online resource generated by the American Institute of Physics (AIP). The idea is to provide prospective graduate students a tool for researching graduate programs in physics and related fields. This site offers a wealth of information, including resources for academics, advice on how to succeed in graduate school, funding sources, and links to student and pr...
W ith the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks fast approaching and the United States establishing the new Department of Homeland Security, the role and impact of foreign scientists in this country are being closely examined. MiSciNet recently asked Dr. Keith Jackson, president of the National Society of Black Physicists ( NSBP), his views on the impact that hiring foreign scientists might have on opp...
