10/2017

Another year, another exciting SACNAS conference!

The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) 2017 conference was hosted at the Salt Palace Convention Center from October 18 – 21st, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The conference attracted nearly 3800 scientists from underrepresented groups in STEM. The annual conference provides underrepresented scientists a unique opportunity to meet mentors, develop support systems, network with employers and prospective graduate institutions, present research, share ideas and struggles. The conference is a platform were underrepresented minority professionals and students alike feel free to discuss challenges they face as they navigate various aspects of their professional lives. SACNAS this year, as any year, had a fantastic list of keynote speakers who spoke on issues of STEM diversity, social justice and building stronger supportive communities. Highlights include the Utah Mayor, Jackie Biskuspi, the first lesbian to hold public office in Utah, Tyrone B Hayes (University of Berkeley), who has been studying the effect of chemical contaminants in racial and ethnic minority communities, and David Pershing, University of Utah president who has developed a supportive hub for underrepresented students.

SACNAS’s efforts provide access to opportunities, networks, resources, and support—based on where they are and where they want to go. Accordingly, the CCHF has been very faithful to its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Thus, CCHF recognizes SACNAS conferences as a prime forum to attract talented chemistry students to the CCHF chemical research collaborative network. The Center had many of its members participate in the conference. This year the CCHF had an increased presence at the conference. Not only did we have a team who hosted a booth and talked to prospective students about the many opportunities available through the Center, but we also hosted a technical symposium, entitled “Chemistry's Vital Role in Science: Recent Advances in the area of Carbon-Hydrogen Bond Activation/Functionalization”, describing some of the research being doen by the Center. Participating members including folks from every stage between undergraduates through to faculty, involved Matt Sigman, Cora MacBeth, Omar Villanueva, Brian Stoltz, Lloyd Munjanja, Whitley Ramirez, Bria Garcia and Lauren Kang. Nadine Kuhl, from Merck, also participated in our technical symposium.