Department of Chemistry hosts Inaugural Future Faculty Symposium
The event showcased the research of early-career scientists who have demonstrated contributions to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM.
On Wednesday, August 17, the Department of Chemistry hosted its inaugural Future Faculty Symposium, a two-day event that showcased the research of exceptional early-career scientists who have demonstrated contributions to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM.
Applications arrived from academic institutions across the country, and from this talented pool emerged the five postdoctoral researchers that comprised the speakers of the event:
Dr. Eunice Bae, Columbia University
Exciton-Coupled Coherent Magnons in a 2D Magnetic Semiconductor
Dr. Steve Bonilla, CU Anschutz
Using cryo-EM to visualize conformationally dynamic RNA structures in viral genomes and their interactions with host proteins
Dr. Trevor GrandPre, Princeton University
Kinetic Frustration Controls LAT Protein Condensation
Dr. Gabriel Lovinger, Harvard University
Stabilizing Reactive Intermediates in Enantioselective Catalysis to Access Diversifiable Products
Dr. Grace Panetti, Princeton University
Metal nitride photophysics with applications towards ammonia generation
Each speaker at the symposium is currently conducting postdoctoral research with the intention of imminently applying to professorships at universities in the United States. Following their talks, which were presented in Room 6-120 and followed by a reception in the lobby, the speakers were able to meet with current MIT Chemistry faculty about research and teaching opportunities, tour our campus and research facilities, and meet with students and staff working to increase diversity and inclusion within MIT Chemistry. The event was enjoyable and valuable for all, and a true credit to the efforts of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee‘s Future Faculty Symposium Subcommittee: Nile Abularrage, Spencer Brucks, Charlotte Farquhar, Laura Kiessling, Nancy Parkinson, Gabriela Schlau-Cohen, and Dan Suess.
