Fermilab scientist Jessica Esquivel donned a superhero costume to celebrate diversity in STEM, nerdiness and science at Wakandacon in Chicago.
diversity equity and inclusion
Karen Uhlenbeck’s pioneering work marries math with physics. Her work in the field of mathematical physics has earned her numerous honors and awards, including the 1988 Noether Lecture award, the National Medal of Science in 2001, and the 2007 Steele Prize for a Seminal Contribution to Mathematical Research from the American Mathematical Society. A MacArthur fellow, she is also the first woman to win the Abel Prize in its 17-year history.
At the event, Fermilab scientists discussed challenges related to diversity in STEM, promoted opportunities to visit and intern at the lab, and dazzled crowds with science, liquid-nitrogen demonstrations and even an original Black Panther-inspired costume.
When teaching a physics lab how to be more LGBTQ+ inclusive, workshop presenters decided to lead with the science.
Jean Reising works with Fermilab computing and helps people with content management systems, including websites and digital signage. She is active in Fermilab’s Spectrum Group, which builds awareness and provides resources for the LGBTQ+ community. Reising also has a degree in culinary arts. When she’s not working, she can be found cooking or reading about cooking.
With the honorary membership, Charles is recognized for her “lifelong mentorship and sacrifices on behalf of NSBP.” The National Society of Black Physicists is the largest and most recognizable organization of physicists that promotes the professional excellence and success of African Americans.
Earlier this month, 56 Latina girls from the local area converged at Fermilab to hear from STEM professionals about what it’s like to work in a science-based field. Members of the Fermilab community chatted with the girls, inspiring them to consider a future in STEM.
From The Adler ‘Scope, May 15, 2019: Fermilab scientist Jessica Esquivel is one of about 150 Black women in history to obtain her Ph.D. in physics. She talks with Adler Planetarium about the obstacles she faced in being a minority in physics, neutrinos and science outreach.
Physics professor Jason Nordhaus is working to reduce barriers to STEM for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, who face numerous barriers when trying to study technical STEM fields like physics. Physicists like Nordhaus are trying to change all that with specialized programs, classes and interpreter training, all aimed at reducing barriers in STEM.
Fermilab’s Asian and Pacific American community is one of a number of lab resource groups that strive to promote diversity and inclusion. Fermilab scientist Bo Jayatilaka and engineer Yun He talk about this community and what it means to foster an inclusive and diverse environment.