Late October and early November was a time for graduate recruiting efforts. Students and faculty represented Yale Physics at the 2022 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference (October 27-29, 2022 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) and to the National Society of Black Physicists 2022 Conference: Emerging from the Event Horizon & Beaming for the Future (November 6-9, 2022 in Charlottesville, VA).
2022 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference
From the conference website, About NDiSTEM, “The largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event in the country, the SACNAS conference is a gathering which serves to equip, empower, and energize participants for their academic and professional paths in STEM. Over the course of the event, college-level through professional attendees are immersed in cutting-edge STEM research, professional development sessions, motivational keynote speakers, and the Graduate School & Career Expo Hall, as well as multicultural celebrations and traditions, and an inclusive and welcoming community of peers, mentors, and role models. Simply put, the SACNAS conference is a broadly inclusive space where you are encouraged and empowered to bring your whole self to STEM.”
Comments from Charles Lomba, graduate student attendee, “It was beyond inspiring to see the exhibition hall. Thousands of students and thousands of professional representatives from academia, industry, and the government coming together for networking, career opportunities advancement, and mentorship. I was proud to represent Yale Physics and PEB program and talk to students about what graduate school and Ph.D. programs are and how they could be a beneficial and obtainable path for them post-baccalaureate.” and from David Carcamo, graduate student attendee, “Overall, I really enjoyed the conference. I had a great time connecting with students and answering questions about applying to graduate school. I remember when I was in their position a few years ago so I was happy to assure these students that there is a place for them at Yale. My favorite moment was when I ran into my PATHS mentee who I had not known would be coming to SACNAS. It was great to connect with her at the conference and see that an event like SACNAS was inspiring her to apply for all the opportunities that are available to her.” Faculty member, Jack Harris, professor of physics, added “It was a great experience to meet with so many undergraduates from so many different places who are keenly excited about pursuing grad school in the physical sciences. It was also nice to see the investment that Yale made in its presence at the conference -there were a good number of Yale faculty and students, and the atmosphere at the Yale booth was lively and fun.”
Attendees from Physics were: Charles Lomba (3rd year graduate student with Alison Sweeney), Rohin McIntosh (2nd year graduate student), Maria Belota-Moreno (2nd year graduate student), David Carcamo (2nd year graduate student), and Jack Harris (Professor of Physics).
National Society of Black Physicists 2022 Conference
From the society website, “The National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) is the largest and most recognizable organization devoted to the growth, development, and advancement of the African-American physics community.
Founded in 1977 at Morgan State University, the mission of the National Society of Black Physicists is to promote the professional well-being of African American physicists and physics students within the international scientific community and within society at large.”
Yale attendees were: Charles Brown (assistant professor, physics), Latavia Thompson (1st year graduate student, physics), Rona Ramos (physics graduate program coordinator), Harrison Souchereau (2nd year graduate student, astronomy), Chitres Guria (4th year graduate student with Jack Harris), Paolo Coppi (professor, astronomy), and Carleton Smith (1st year graduate student).
Carelton Smith commented, “The 2022 NSBP Conference in Charlottesville, Virginia was a transformative experience. This year’s conference was the first in-person conference held since 2019 and, as was the case with previous years, the conference felt like a homecoming of family, activists, and scientists eager to make sense of and an impact on the world. As usual, the conference allowed me to hear about the exciting research being conducted by members of the organization and provided wisdom and advice from elders, early-career researchers, and peers that will stay with me always”.