CDLS Research and Outreach Symposium Summer 2024

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.

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
Daniel Sepulveda: Paleoclimate of the Cenozoic Era in Antarctica and Patagonia
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
Angela Rose David: Buhay Ngayon: Culturally-tailored Toolkit to Improve Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Regarding Advance Care Planning in Filipino American Adults in Los Angeles County
Esmeralda E.M. Zambrano: Hiking the Path to Environmental Equity: Stories from the Field

For any questions, please contact us at cdls@ucla.edu.