NORTHFIELD, Vt. — Norwich University’s Center for Global Resilience & Security hosts “Celebrating Women in Science,” a virtual roundtable and networking event on Nov. 8 and a screening of the film “Picture A Scientist” on Nov. 9.
Both events are free and open to the public. Please register for the roundtable here: https://bit.ly/3vzyEVZ.
At 1 p.m. Nov. 8, join the Center for Global Resilience & Security for a virtual panel discussion and mentor networking event. At 7 p.m. Nov. 9 in Mack Hall Auditorium, join for a screening of “Picture A Scientist,” a documentary film that “chronicles the groundswell of researchers who are writing a new chapter for women scientists.” A prescreening roundtable begins at 6:15 p.m.
Nov. 8’s speakers are:
Dr. Tara Kulkarni is the director of the Center for Global Resilience and Security (CGRS) at Norwich University. She received the 2019 Homer L. Dodge Award for excellence in teaching and is a 2017 Board of Fellows award winner. She holds a doctorate in civil engineering from Florida State University and is a licensed professional engineer with more than 15 years of experience across state government, management consulting, and academia. As Center for Global Resilioence and Secuirty director, she leads multiple funded projects related to the Dog River Conservancy, energy resilience, environmental security, Resilient Vermont Network, Norwich Humanities Initiative and the Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Initiative.
Dr. Amy S. Welch earned her doctorate from the Centre for Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Leeds (U.K.) in 2007, after completing her Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in sport and exercise science at Sheffield Hallam University (U.K.). Her current research interests focus on understanding psychophysiological responses to psychological stress,and the use of behavioral strategies to mitigate that stress. As an educator, she frequently employs experiential learning techniques and strategies that encourage intrinsic motivation. Her main goal is bridging the gap between science and practice, to help students graduate as independent learners who can consult reliable evidence to find solutions to problems.
Dr. Karen Hinkle, in her role as associate provost, oversees the Office of Academic Research and its sponsored programs, the Undergraduate Research Program, the Honors Program and three research centers: the Norwich University Center for Global Resilience and Security, the John and Mary Frances Patton Peace & War Center and the Center for Cybersecurity and Forensics Education and Research. She received more than half a million dollars in extramural awards through the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation for her cell biology research, which focuses on protein-to-protein interactions that regulate cellular growth. As a professor, Hinkle mentored nearly 40 undergraduates and several high school students through their own research.
Dr. Allison Neal studies parasites, especially how they interact with each other and their hosts. She earned her Bachelor of Arts and doctorate in biology from the University of Vermont. Neal’s research on the evolution and ecology of parasites currently focuses on trematodes in Vermont, though she also works with lizard malaria parasites in California (this was the focus of her Ph.D. work). This research combines fieldwork, microscopy, and population genetics. Neal and her students collect snails and catch lizards, examine amazing parasites with a microscope, and analyze the genetics of parasites and their hosts. Neal teaches a variety of classes at Norwich, including parasitology, ecology, evolution, genetics, microbiology, and introductory biology. She also co-directs the Vermont Science Fair and loves getting students of all ages involved in science.
Dr. Page C. Spiess received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry (ACS certified) from Eckerd College, and a Master of Science and doctorate in pharmacology and toxicology from the University of California, Davis. In the past few years, Spiess has also developed multiple new courses for Norwich, including Chemistry of Weapons of Mass Destruction, and worked with the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies to develop online offerings of Chemistry 101/Chemistry102 courses for the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Spiess was named as an inaugural fellow of the Norwich Institute for Innovation in Teaching and Learning in 2021 and also chairs Norwich’s campus Academic Integrity Committee. Spiess’ research spans human disease and environmental toxicology.
Dr. Darlene Olsen is a Charles A. Dana Professor of Mathematics and Norwich coordinator for the Vermont Biomedical Research Network. She is the 2013 Homer L. Dodge Award winner for Excellence in Teaching. Her current research areas are biostatistics and pedagogy in mathematics and statistics. Olsen has received research grants through the Vermont Biomedical Research Work, served as a statistical consultant, and published work in several research journals. She received her doctorate in mathematics from the State University of New York, Albany in 2003. She also holds a Master of Science in biometry and statistics (2001) and an MA in mathematics (1997) from the University at Albany and a BA in mathematics (1994) from SUNY Geneseo.
Dr. Karen Supan, joined the faculty of the David Crawford School of Engineering in 2012 and now serves as its director. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Minnesota State University, a Master of Science from the Institute of Paper Science and Technology and a doctorate from the University of Florida.
Dr. Marie Little Fawn Agan is a lecturer and laboratory coordinator for the College of Science and Mathematics at Norwich University, where she has been a faculty member since 2018. She completed her undergraduate degrees at St. Michael’s College, where she received the Howard Buxton scholarship, and is pursuing multiple graduate degrees in analytical chemistry, public health and medical laboratory science with aspirations for a doctorate. Her research interests lie in wastewater surveillance, ranging from theory to analytical techniques to implementation of public health measures.
State Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale, D-Burlington, represents Chittenden County. She received a Bachelor of Science in natural resource planning and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Vermont in 2008 and earned her Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in 2018. Her career in Vermont has spanned preschool education, legal advocacy for victims of domestic violence, and municipal civic engagement. She currently works to build social equity and inclusion in nonprofit organizations, businesses, school districts and municipalities. She served in the Vermont House of Representatives on behalf of Burlington, Chittenden District 6-4 from 2008 to 2016, where she sat on the House General, Housing & Military Affairs and Ways & Means Committees and as vice chair of the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee. She has also co-chaired the Vermont Attorney General's Immigration Task Force and was a member of the boards of Emerge Vermont, the Main Street Alliance of Vermont, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, the Regenerative Food Network and the Vermont Natural Resources Council.
State Sen. Virginia “Ginny” Lyons, D-Williston, represents Chittenden County. She was educated at Drew University, Rutgers University, and the University of Vermont, where she earned her doctorate. She is a college professor with more than 30 years of teaching, research, and administrative experience in the biological sciences including at Trinity College, Vermont. Lyons chaired the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy between 2003 to 2013, guiding Vermont’s early response to climate change, renewable energy development, stormwater protection, land use planning, and reduction of toxic substances in the environment. Lyons chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare; her legislation reflects a commitment to people, with a focus on policies to reduce trauma and toxins negatively affecting children and human development. Her legislation includes prevention and the linking of medical care with community services. She works toward health care reform for universal access, improved quality and affordable costs. Lyons serves on several community boards and organizations.
More on “Picture A Scientist”:
“Biologist Nancy Hopkins, chemist Raychelle Burks, and geologist Jane Willenbring lead viewers on a journey deep into their own experiences in the sciences, ranging from brutal harassment to years of subtle slights. Along the way, from cramped laboratories to spectacular field stations, we encounter scientific luminaries — including social scientists, neuroscientists and psychologists — who provide new perspectives on how to make science itself more diverse, equitable and open to all.”
There is a prescreening roundtable beginning at 6:15 p.m., which will be moderated by three student fellows in the Center for Global Resilience and Security: Renata De Paiva, Camryn Anderson and Angela Samohuallpa Esenarro.
EXPLORE:
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About Norwich University
Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. Norwich offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in baccalaureate and graduate degrees. Norwich University was founded in 1819 by U.S. Army Capt. Alden Partridge and is the nation’s oldest private military college. Norwich is one of our nation's six Senior Military Colleges and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). www.norwich.edu
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