
PRISM Scholars Newsletter
February 24, 2022
Voice of Inspiration
Paul Edward Farmer (October 26, 1959 – February 21, 2022) was a medical anthropologist and physician dedicated to improving public health in some of the world's poorest countries.
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Upcoming STEM Events
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STEM Alumni Research Talks: Cain Valtierrez-Gaytan & Laura Fricke
Date: Friday, March 4, 2022
Time: 3:10 - 4:20 PM
Modality: Virtual (Registration link has Zoom info)
In this session, two current graduate students will each share about their graduate research, as well as their path to graduate school. This will be followed by time to ask them questions about their experiences and perspectives.
Cain Valtierrez-Gaytan is a Ph.D. candidate in the Zasadzinski Research Group of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Minnesota. He is a 2016 graduate of Augsburg University.
Laura Fricke is a Ph.D. Student working with Dr. Amelia Lindsey in the Department of Entomology of the University of Minnesota. She is a 2017 graduate of Normandale Community College and a 2019 graduate of Augsburg University.
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Save the Date!
THE SVERDRUP VISITING SCIENTIST PROGRAM THE FUTURE IS ALIVE! PHYSICS LESSONS FROM BIOLOGY
JENNIFER L. ROSS
PROFESSOR AND PHYSICS DEPARTMENT CHAIR
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
Time: 11-11:45 AM
Attendance Options:
In person: Augsburg University, Foss Center, Hoversten Chapel
Virtual: Register via website (see link below)
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STEM News
Minnesota's STEM Internship Program Turns 10
Since its launch in February 2012, the SciTech Internship Program has helped over 2,250 college STEM interns connect with 555 companies in 142 cities state-wide. This month, SciTech turns 10 and is celebrating the people and companies who’ve made the program such a success. Check out this week’s stories and videos here.
Designed to build and retain Minnesota’s STEM workforce, especially with women and students of color, SciTech doubles as a free resource for both employers and students. Minnesota small businesses get help finding talent and funding internships with a wage reimbursement covering up to $2,500 per intern. In turn, college students pursuing a STEM degree can use SciTech to find paid internships and gain valuable hands-on industry experience.
Minnesota companies with fewer than 250 employees worldwide and Minnesota students who are halfway through a STEM degree and in good academic standing are encouraged to participate.
Funding Available in 2022
More than 200 wage matches are available now for spring and summer internships on a first come, first hire basis. Applications and full eligibility requirements are available at http://scitechmn.org/.
SciTech is funded by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and housed at the Minnesota Technology Association (MnTech). Questions about the program? Contact Becky Siekmeier, Program Director at becky@mntech.org.
Diana Wilson Sets Out To Raise $1M To Fund Black Women Who Wish To Build A Career In STEM
There is a shortage of Black women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), but this woman is on a mission to make a change that’ll make a difference.
Diana Wilson created the nonprofit, Yielding Accomplished African Women (Yaa W) to discover and support Black collegiate women in tech and finance. Now, she’s raising $1 million to equip those same women with the resources that they need to be holistic leaders and achieve their STEM career goals.
Read on for more information.
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STEM Opportunities
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Summer Research Program
At Nebraska, our Summer Research Program offers students an excellent opportunity to hone research skills and to experience life as a graduate student at a Big Ten university. Students will enhance their academic resume, work closely with faculty and peers, and have fun with social and professional development activities, all while receiving numerous benefits.
Program Dates: 10 weeks, May 31 - August 6, 2022 (this includes travel time)
Participants will receive a competitive stipend ($4,500 - $6,500 depending on research program) plus funding for travel and room and board. Additional programming benefits include GRE prep, workshops on applying to graduate school, and creating a research poster.
Students historically underrepresented in graduate education are encouraged to apply; however, due to funding restrictions, participation is limited to U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents (those holding a green card).
The deadline to apply is March 1.
For more information visit https://www.unl.edu/summerprogram/.
To apply, visit https://srp.unl.edu/Application and be sure to review the instructions carefully.
Minnesota SciTech Internship Program
In order to be eligible for SciTech internships, students must meet the following criteria:
- Minnesota resident OR living in and attending college in Minnesota
- At least 18 years of age
- In good academic standing (2.5+ GPA)
- College junior or senior (at least 60 credits completed) OR
- Technical or community college student (at least 24 credits completed) OR
- Enrolled in a STEM degree at an accredited U.S. college
- Legally eligible to work in the U.S. (international students may participate if they have CPT/OPT work authorization)
Deadline to apply: Varies
For more information on how to apply and to view a list of current internship opportunities, visit https://scitechmn.org/.
NASA Internship: Biological Diversity & Ecological Forecasting Program
Seeking applicants for a paid, 10-week summer internship supporting programs at NASA Headquarters (interns will work remotely/virtually).
Applicants with a background in conservation biology, ecology, evolution, computer programming, statistics, or communications/journalism are sought. Interns will advance outward communication of program activities, build program infrastructure, develop and implement evaluation metrics for science projects, and support science review. The mentor will develop projects specific to the intern’s background and interests on these themes.
For more information and to apply for this opportunity, visit the NASA website. (Note: to apply online, you will need to create a user account)
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STEM Conferences
2022 Pi Mu Epsilon Conference
This year's keynote speaker will be Dr. Sommer Gentry, a Professor of Mathematics at the United States Naval Academy and a Research Associate at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
The main focus of this conference is to provide students the opportunity to present research in all areas of mathematics, the mathematical sciences, mathematics education, or other fields in which mathematics and mathematical thinking is used in exciting and innovative ways.
Students interested in presenting can visit the following link to submit their abstract and presentation details: https://www.csbsju.edu/forms/0KE8JWQ26T. The deadline for submission is Friday, April 1.
For more information on the conference: https://www.csbsju.edu/mathematics/pi-mu-epsilon-conference.
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Augsburg STEM Programs
Email: dupont@augsburg.edu
Website: https://www.augsburg.edu/stem/
Location: 2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Phone: (612) 330-1042