Event
CDLS Research and Outreach Symposium Summer 2024
Featuring keynote speakers and lightning talks from fellows and members showcasing research, community-building efforts, and outreach initiatives
We invite you to join us in person or virtually on August 2, 2024 12pm-4pm PT to lift up the research and community engagement efforts of people in the CDLS Community. To confirm your attendance, please fill out this RSVP form.
The event will feature keynote speakers and lightning talks from fellows and members showcasing their research, community-building efforts, and outreach initiatives. Lunch will be served. Masking is optional although strongly recommended indoors. The schedule is available to view in our event booklet.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Camille Gaynus: Diving into a Joyous Ocean with Black in Marine Science
Originally from Philadelphia, I established a love of the water at an early age. Upon graduating from Hampton University, I started a PhD in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department at UCLA. I spent some time working at Penn State Brandywine before moving to working for the nonprofit Black in Marine Science full-time as the Chief Science Officer. There are two things I enjoy about being a marine scientist. First is the sheer amount of knowledge the ocean holds. It gives me countless opportunities to learn and explore. Second, I physically enjoy being underwater. There is something about being totally submerged in water that is calming. I got involved in #BlackinMarineScientist because I love being Black and I believe it is important that we highlight Black stories as a way to combat anti-Blackness.
Dr. Yewande Pearse: From Snails in the Garden to John Legend and Beyond: Navigating a Career in Science Communication
As a neuroscientist and passionate science communicator, Yewande blends the art of storytelling with the rigor of scientific inquiry to curate culturally resonant narratives. Her work extends beyond mere communication; it is about creating spaces where science is a shared language, enriching the tapestry of our collective experience. As a black woman in STEM and a mother, she embodies the diversity she advocates for, driving change from the intersection of her personal and professional worlds. She stands for a future where science belongs to everyone, breaking down barriers to create inclusive and accessible platforms for discovery. Her mission is to empower individuals with the transformative power of scientific knowledge, fostering a society that values curiosity, understanding, and the profound impact of science in every aspect of life.
Lightning Talks
- Syontoni Hattori-Chatterjee: The Migration Story of the Siakumne
- Joan Chimezie: Holocene Peatland Fire Reconstruction in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, USA
- Maria Winters: Coastal Dune Modeling in California: Case Studies from Southern and North-Central California
- Omaia Olivas: Endangered Species Act Outreach and Education in the Salinas Valley
- Pa-Shun Hawkins & Bobby Dellinger: Quantify Acid Deposition Using Social Drivers
- Ileana Callejas: Remote Sensing for Biodiversity Monitoring in the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System
- Kristen Howard: Evolutionary and Ecological Dynamics of Protozoa Diversity
- Armand Payne & Jason Williams: Evaluating the Dual Protection Offered by Myrothamnus flabellifolius Extracts and Their Green-Synthesized ZnO Nanoparticles
- Flor Vanessa Maciel: Development of a Climate Change and Intervention Unit for High School Students
- Kira Fish, Elijah Catalan, Olivia Simon: Climate Justice Collective at UCLA
- Brian Brophy: Training Next Gen Scientists
- Elias Jabbe: Salalah Sinkholes and Littering: The Urgency to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Tourism
- Olaniyi Oluwatobi Emmanuel: Assessing Habitat Suitability for Aqua Tourism in Wetlands: A Case Study of Ekiti State, Nigeria
- Esmeralda E.M. Zambrano: Hiking the Path to Environmental Equity: Stories from the Field
For any questions, please contact us at cdls@ucla.edu.