STEM Speaker Series
This series is a feature of the mentoring program. Many times STEM professionals who would like to volunteer cannot dedicate the time needed to be a full mentor. In this case, they are placed on a presentation list where when a teacher requests, we send a series of scientists, engineers or other STEM professionals into the classroom on different days to expose students to more careers in STEM. For more information contact the coordinator, Nadia Compton, at ncompton@sacSTEMfair.org.
Graduate student at University of California, Davis with a Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology
Current Employer:
University of California, Davis – Cheemeng Tan’s Lab
Job Title:
Graduate Student Researcher
Primary Area of Scientific Expertise:
Synthetic Biology – The assembly of biological components into living tools. My experiments involve molecular cloning (DNA assembly), bacterial culture, and programming. Can present to any grade, up to 40 students for 30 minutes to an hour.
Schedule:
M/T/W afternoon/F
Graduate student at University of California, Davis
Current Employer:
University of California Davis
Job Title:
Graduate Student Researcher
Primary Area of Scientific Expertise:
Biological Engineering
Can present to any grade, up to 20 students for 1 hour.
Schedule:
Monday-Friday evening, Weekends-All day
California Science and Technology Policy Fellow
Current Employer:
State of California
Job Title:
Science & Technology Fellow
Primary Area of Scientific Expertise:
PhD in Molecular Toxicology from UC Berkeley
Can present to any grade, up to 40 students for 30 minutes to an hour.
Schedule:
Varies
Environmental Scientist at the California Department of Public Health: Food Safety Section, Emergency Response Unit
Current Employer:
University of California Davis
Job Title:
Environmental Scientist
Primary Area of Scientific Expertise:
Investigate foodborne illness outbreaks using mapping (GIS), records review, and onsite audits of food growing and
processing areas. I also have experience in the biotech industry as well as experience as a high school science teacher. I have a Biology degree from Sac State with an emphasis in microbiology and a minor in chemistry. Can present to any grade, small groups to large assemblies for 30 minutes to an hour.
Schedule:
Flexible schedule
Retired Structural Engineer, formerly with the Professional Engineers in California Government
Current Employer:
State of California
Job Title:
Structural Engineer
Primary Area of Scientific Expertise:
Civil engineering structures: bridges and buildings of all types. Earthquake engineering.
Can present to 7-10 graders, up to 30 students for 1-2 hours with discussion.
Schedule:
Weekdays, Mid-day
Senior Engineer at AECOM Transportation
Current Employer:
AECOM Transportation
Job Title:
Senior Engineer
Primary Area of Scientific Expertise:
Structural Engineering, Bridges & Buildings Can present to 9-12 graders, up to 50 students for 30 minutes.
Schedule:
Monday-Friday evening, may be able to schedule short time within week.
Technology Expert at Hewlett-Packard
Current Employer:
Hewlett-Packard
Job Title:
Software
Primary Area of Scientific Expertise:
Cloud software.
Can present to 6-8 graders, up to 50 students, for 20 minutes.
Schedule:
Friday afternoons.
Human Resource Specialist at the California Bureau of Reclamation
Current Employer:
State of California
Job Title:
Human Recourse Specialist
Primary Area of Scientific Expertise:
The Bureau of Reclamation is a contemporary water management agency with a Strategic Plan outlining numerous programs, initiatives and activities that will help the Western States, Native American Tribes and others meet new water needs and balance the multitude of competing uses of water in the West. Our mission critical position are Engineering, Natural Resources, Hydrology, and Land Resources. Can present to all grades, up to 30 students for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Schedule:
Flexible