Chemistry Diversity Conference

Highlighting Research and Collaboration

Saturday, April 27, 2013
10 am – 6:30 pm
Shelby Hall

Faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students are invited. Free registration and travel reimbursements. Meals are provided.

In conjunction with the 50th Anniversary commemorating the end of segregation at The University of Alabama, the Department of Chemistry is hosting a day-long symposium entitled “Diversity Awareness: Highlighting Research and Collaboration”. Faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students and representatives of minority-serving student organizations from regional institutions are invited to attend the celebration of our increasingly multicultural, multiethnic, and diverse academic environment. There is no cost to attend the event; however, registration is required. Since attendance is limited, students from under-represented groups will be given priority registration. Travel expenses for attendees will be reimbursed upon request.

The symposium features the extraordinary research contributions of STEM faculty traditionally under-represented in chemistry and biochemistry. The goal is to increase the appreciation of diversity, to encourage students from diverse backgrounds to pursue education in fields in which women and minorities have traditionally been underrepresented, and to strengthen professional and scientific relationships within the region. The symposium also seeks to open a dialogue on recruitment and retention of under-represented groups through panel discussions highlighting educational and mentoring support, on the advantages of a graduate education, and on research and educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. A poster session will be held and undergraduate participants will be entered into a drawing for prizes. We encourage all undergraduate students at all levels, engaging in meritorious research or STEM outreach, to present a poster at the symposium.

For more information please contact Dr. Laura Busenlehner (205-348-8349, LSbusenlehner@ua.edu)

Featured Speakers

	“Collaborative Investigations of Membrane Protein Structure and Function” Professor Abby Parrill Chair, Department of Chemistry The University of Memphis
	“Targeting Iron Acquisition in Pathogenic Fungi” Professor Pablo Sobrado Department of Biochemistry Virginia Tech University
	“Chemistry LegoLand: Catalytic Annulation Approaches to Access Diverse Molecular Complexity in Small Molecule Synthesis” Professor Stefan France Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Georgia Tech University