15th Annual USM PROMISE AGEP Research Symposium & Professional Development Conference: The Future of STEM

Location: Colony Ballroom, 2203 Stamp Student Union

Contact Christopher Pérez, Program Director, The Office of Graduate Diversity and Inclusion for more information: cperez6@umd.edu.

Register to attend and submit a presentation HERE.  This event is FREE, and all attendees must register.  

All graduate students and postdocs are invited to participate as audience members and attend the professional development workshops.

Graduate Students are encouraged to submit research project for the following categories:

• Traditional Oral Presentation (7 minutes)
• Ted-Style Talk (5 minutes)
• Lightning Round Talk (2 minutes)
• Poster Presentation (10 minutes)

All USM graduate studetns are invited to attend and to present.

Important:

• Presentation slots are limited to graduate students within the University System of Maryland.
• A custom webpage will be designed for each presenter. The presenter’s website will include a photo, bio, abstract, synopsis of research, and list of other relevant publications or presentations as applicable. Students who participated in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 can update their current pages.
• Postdocs from universities and organizations outside of the University System of Maryland can participate as mentors and judges for poster sessions.
• All graduate students and postdocs are invited to participate as audience members and attend the professional development workshops.
• Undergraduate students are invited to attend to learn from the presentations.
• Faculty from within the USM are invited to serve as judges to provide constructive feedback.

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Arrival, Coffee & Tea Service, Registration, Poster Set-Up

Breakfast can be purchased in the Stamp Coffee Shop or Food Court (lower levels).

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Opening Remarks, Traditional Oral Research Presentations

Welcome:

1. Host’s Opening and Welcome: Jeffrey Franke, Assistant Dean and Chief of Staff, Graduate School, University of Maryland College Park.
2. Moderator: Dr. Renetta Tull, Director of Graduate and Professional Pipeline Development, and Special Assistant to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University System of Maryland.

Traditional Oral Research Presentations (7 minutes each)

1. Linda Moise, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
2. Canessa Swanson, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
3. Ramses Long, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Biology
4. Jeffrey Inen, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Biology

Traditional Oral Presentation Category Description

Presenters should be able to deliver their research in a traditional oral presentation structure. Presentations should have a clearly defined audience such as those in their fields of research, as well as anyone in the room. Oral presentations are greatly enhanced by the use of effective visual material. Effective visuals in a PowerPoint are expected. Good visuals convey the essential material of the talk, including key points and research results. The presentation should make a single main point and tell a unified, coherent narrative with a clear conclusion that summarizes the main points, and raises the important issues posed by the material presented. The oral presentation should: 1) define the problem or state the central question being addressed; 2) indicate its importance; 3) tell what was done; 4) state what was found; and 5) consider the broader implications of the findings. It is not possible to cite/cover everything or include all the data obtained in a 7 minute talk, but presenter should provide detailed descriptions of items above. Judges should provide feedback to help presenters develop how they can best talk about their research for oral presentations at a conference in their field.

Confirmed Judges:

1)      Dr. José A. Ortiz, Assistant Clinical Professor, LEAP Director & Bilingual Certificate Program Coordinator Hearing & Speech Sciences, University of Maryland 

2)      Dr. Takamasa Kanaya, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Laboratory for Rock Physics, Department of Geology, University of Maryland

3)      Dr. Alexis Y. Williams, Instructional Development Specialist, Teaching and Learning Transformation Center, University of Maryland

4)      Dr. Isabella Alcañiz, Associate Professor, Department of Government and Politics, University of Maryland

5)      Dr. Muhammed Shafeekh Muyyarikkandy, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland

6)      Dr. Efrain E. Rodriguez, Associate Professor Chemistry Graduate Program Director Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland

7)      Dr. Alfredo Ruiz-Barradas, Associate Research Professor CMNS-Atmospheric & Oceanic Science, University of Maryland

8)      Dr. Christopher Bonner, Assistant Professor of History, University of Maryland

9)      Dr. Nicole Cousin-Gossett, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, University of Maryland

10)    Dr. Daniel Contreras, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Maryland

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Networking Break

10:45 AM – 11:15 AM: “TED-Style” Talks (5 minutes each)

1. Alex Rittle, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Geography & Environmental Systems
2. Ajmeeta Sangtani, University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), Department of Bioengineering
3. Daniel Teodoro, University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Science (UMCES), Department of Geographical Sciences

“TED-Style” Talk Category Description

“TED-Style” talks are concise and intended for general audience. Because these talks are short, presenters have done the hard work of cutting out any extraneous ideas and delivering a presentation that matches the TED-style talk.  Presentations are innovative and utilizing the creative aspects of TED (technology, entertainment, and design implementation). Ideally, every word of a TED talk counts and presenters should stay on topic in a short time-frame.  Presenters should deliver ground-breaking research that is personal and thought-provoking. The presentation should make a single main point and tell a unified, coherent narrative with a clear conclusion that summarizes the main points, and raises the important issues posed by the material presented. It is not possible to cite/cover everything or include all the aspects of a project in a 5 minute talk, but presenters should provide detailed descriptions of their research. Judges should provide feedback to help presenters develop how they can best talk about their research for a general audience in creative and innovative ways at a conference in their field.

Confirmed Judges:

1)      Dr. Elizabeth Marie Aparicio, Assistant Professor, Department of Behavioral and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland

2)      Dr. Carolyn Fink, Senior Faculty Special EDUC-Counseling, Higher Education and Special Education, University of Maryland

3)      Dr. Jennifer Roberts, Assistant Professor, Kinesiology Faculty Associate, University of Maryland Population Research Center and Prevention Research Center, School of Public Health, University of Maryland

4)      Dr. Yaqiong Xiao, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, BSOS, University of Maryland

5)      Dr. Ricardo Arevalo Jr., Associate Professor, Department of Geology, University of Maryland

6)      Dr. Renee F. Hill, Senior Lecturer, Director, School Library Specialization, Associate Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Equity Administrator, University of Maryland

7)      Dr. Kelly E. Slay, Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education (CHSE), College of Education, University of Maryland

8)      Dr. Richard Prather, Assistant Professor, EDUC-Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland

9)      Dr. Christopher Bonner, Assistant Professor of History, University of Maryland

10)    Dr. Eusebia Mont, Assistant Clinical Professor, Director, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Emphasis Program (CLD-EP) Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland

11)    Dr. Nicole Cousin-Gossett, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, University of Maryland

12)    Dr. Ronald Luna, Undergraduate Director, Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland 

13)    Dr. Vanessa Frias-Martinez, Assistant Professor, INFO-College of Information Studies

14)    Dr. Belinda Huang, Higher Education Administration, The Graduate School, University of Maryland College Park

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM: Lightning Round Talks (2 minutes each)

1. Brianda Beverly, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Biology
2. Denise Williams, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
3. Lampouguin Y. Douti, University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), Department of Bioengineering
4. Shawnisha S. Hester, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Language, Literacy & Culture (LLC)
5. Erika Aparaka, University of Maryland College Park (UMD), Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership

Lightning Round Category Description

Presenters should be able to deliver their research to a general audience within a two-minute time frame.  This category is similar to a 3 Minute Thesis competition (3MT), but draws more parallels with an “elevator pitch.” Presenters are not expected to cover everything, but they are expected to deliver enough of their research topic in two minutes that audiences have a clear understanding of the topic and will be intrigued to learn more. The objective of this category is for presenters to concisely and confidently deliver their research topic within a short amount of time to a general audience.  Judges should provide feedback to help presenters develop how they can best talk about their research topic to a general audience in a short time frame.

Confirmed Judges:

1)      Dr. Katie White, Assistant Director, Consortium on Race, Gender, and Ethnicity, University of Maryland 

2)      Dr. Eliza A. Thompson, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Hearing & Speech Sciences, University of Maryland

3)      Dr. Akua Asa-Awuku, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland

4)      Dr. Hugh Bruck, Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Mechanical Engineering, Office of Advanced Engineering Education, University of Maryland

5)      Dr. Kevin M. Daniels, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Institute for Research in Electronics & Applied Physics, University of Maryland

6)      Dr. Siddhartha Das, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland

7)      Dr. Justicia Opoku, Department of Biology, College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, University of Maryland

8)      Dr. Marccus Hendricks, Assistant Professor, Urban Studies and Planning Program, University of Maryland

9)      Dr. Gregg Duncan, Assistant Professor, Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland 

10)    Dr. Carlos A. Machado, Professor, CMNS-Biology, University of Maryland 

11)    Dr. Keith Yearwood, Lecturer, BSOS-Geography, University of Maryland 

12:00 PM – Catered Buffet Lunch for Registered Attendees

Remarks by Dr. Steve Fetter, Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Maryland College Park (UMD).

12:45 PM – 1:30 PM: Poster Session and Dessert Reception

1. Cassandra Jordan, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), Department of Microbiology and Immunology
2. Annette Kenney, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES), Department of Agriculture, Food, and Resource Sciences
3. Valencia Watson, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering
4. Zoe C. Johnson, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES), Department of Natural Sciences
5. Chinedu Ahuchaogu, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES), Department of Natural Sciences
6. Eguono Omagamre, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES), Department of Natural Sciences
7. John Fenimore, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Department of Biology

Poster Presentation Category Description

Conference posters summarize research concisely and attractively to help audiences navigate the research as the presenter is talking.  The poster is also intended to generate discussion to a general audience. Presenters should offer a simplified version of their research on their poster.  Rather than just cutting and pasting sections of text from a written paper, presenters should carefully consider how to best present their research information in a visually appealing way.  The poster is usually a mixture of brief text mixed with tables, graphs, pictures, and other relevant information. The poster should only cover two or three major points, and the word count should be concise enough that it does not overpower other visual elements. It is not possible to cite or cover everything or include all the aspects of a project in a poster presentation. Presenters should, however,  provide enough detailed descriptions of their research on the poster and provide verbal context that expands the research to a general audience. Judges should provide feedback to help presenters develop how they can best talk about their research for a general audience and the design of their poster for conferences in their field. 

Confirmed Judges:

1)      Dr. Caryn N. Bell, Assistant Professor, Department of African American Studies, University of Maryland

2)      Dr. Manuel Franco Sevilla, Assistant Professor, CMNS-Physics, University of Maryland

3)      Dr. Claudia Galindo, Associate Professor, Education Policy and Leadership Program, University of Maryland

4)      Dr. José A. Feijó, Professor, Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland

5)      Dr. Kevin M. Daniels, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Institute for Research in Electronics & Applied Physics, University of Maryland

6)      Dr. Craig S. Fryer, Associate Professor, Department of Behavioral and Community Health, Associate Director, Maryland Center for Health Equity, Faculty Associate, Maryland Population Research Center, University of Maryland

7)      Dr. Shannon Dunn, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Baltimore 

8)      Dr. Ebony Terrell Shockley, Associated Clinical Professor, Diversity Officer, Director, Office of Teacher & Leader Education, Director, Master's Certification Program College of Education, University of Maryland

9)      Dr. Diana Obanda, Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences

10)    Dr. Nicole LaRonde, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biomolecular Structure and Organization

11)    Miryam C. Gerdine, M.P.H., Social Science Research Analyst at Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSAgov), HHS

12)    Dr. Keith Yearwood, Lecturer, BSOS-Geography, University of Maryland 

Additional Confirmed Judges

Dr. George Kintiba, Lecturer, Department of African American Studies, University of Maryland

Dr. Jarred Young, Keystone Lecturer, Space Power & Propulsion Lab, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland 

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM: Professional Development Session I 

2:15 - 2:45 PM: Networking Break

2:45 -3:15 PM: Professional Development Session II 

 

Dr. Spencer Benson, Consultant Graduate School and TLTC, UMD, Education Innovations International Consulting, LLC Eii-Consulting LLC: "Learning-through-Diversity: Being Inclusing, Being Human."

 

Dr. Spencer Benson, is the Founder and Director of Education Innovations International Consulting, LLC, and former Director, of the Centre for Teaching and Learning Enhancement, University of Macau SAR, PRC, (2013-2017), and former director of the Center for Teaching Excellence at the University of Maryland, College Park MD, US (2003-2013). Prof. Benson received his B.A. in Zoology from the University of Vermont and his Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of Chicago. He has been working in the areas of faculty development and learning enhancement for more than 20 years.  He is the 2002 US CASE-Carnegie Maryland Professor of the Year and recipient of the 2011 American Society for Microbiology Carski Teaching Award.  He is past chair of the American Society for Microbiology International Education Committee and in 2008-09 was a Fulbright Fellow to Hong Kong working on general education.  In 2017 he retired from the University of Macau following his 2014 retirement from the University of Maryland. His expertise and research interests include: faculty development, outcomes-based education (OBE), teaching evaluation, pedagogies for teaching science for all students, assessment for student learning, secondary science education and the use of technologies for learner-centered 21st century education.  He has published more than 50 articles on teaching and learning and has given talks and workshops on teaching and learning in more than a dozen countries around the world.

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Closing Reception and Awards Ceremony

PROMISE AGEP: Maryland Transformation is pleased to invite you to attend and participate in the 2019 University System of Maryland PROMISE AGEP Research Symposium and Professional Development Conference. This conference seeks to provide a venue that will allow students to present their work at any stage, receive feedback in preparation for presenting at larger venues, and provide training that will prepare participants for faculty careers.