Hill-Lopes Scholars Program to host prestigious scientist for campus discussion
Rita Colwell, the first woman to head the National Science Foundation, to virtually visit TU
By Cody Boteler on October 18, 2020
The Hill-Lopes Scholars Program is welcoming Rita Colwell, the first woman to direct the National Science Foundation (NSF), for a virtual discussion about her life, her research career and what it means to be a woman in science.
The digital visit from Colwell is the program’s first major event since launching in 2019 and will be open to the entire campus community. Colwell, who led the NSF from 1998–2004, will share stories from her new memoir, “A Lab of One’s Own: One Woman’s Personal Journey Through Sexism in Science.”
She will also give a presentation on her ongoing research, titled "Oceans, Climate & Human Health - What Cholera Teaches us about COVID-19."
Colwell will speak during a virtual event at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, via Zoom. Registration is online and open to the entire campus community.
“It will be great for the women in the program to see such a successful scientist,” says Peko Tsuji, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and one of the three faculty leaders for the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program, along with Beth Kautzman and Cindy Ghent. “I want them to see that persistence is key.
“Having Colwell’s life experiences be a guide, existing as a story on how someone can overcome hurdles in science, is extremely powerful.”
The Hill-Lopes Scholars Program was founded with a generous donation from Barbara Hill and Ancelmo Lopes. The couple has a passion for making science an exciting and welcoming field for underrepresented students.
Learn more about the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program
Students participate in the program for up to three years, beginning in their sophomore year. They receive a scholarship each eligible term and additional financial support to attend conferences or professional development events.
The program currently has two cohorts of students.
Tionna Harris is a chemistry major in her first year with the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program. She says she’d grade it “an 11 out of 10.”
“It’s a well-rounded program to help you thrive,” she says. “From all aspects, from community to career.”
Stephanie Prem is a computer science major in her second year with the program. She says things have been different this year because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, but she and her fellow scholars are making the most of it.
That’s meant having regular meetings—and group lunches—over Zoom instead of face-to-face, but they’re still able to forge meaningful connections.
“It means so much to me. This is the first time I’ve been a part of a group like this, surrounded by women in STEM,” Prem says. “The community that we’ve created is just so great and fun to be a part of and so supportive.”
Tsuji says it’s all about getting the scholars into the best competitive positions possible for successful futures in science or mathematics.
“It’s certainly not that the women in our college are less capable than the men,” Tsuji says. “But there is historically less support for women in STEM. We’re working to really support them, to have the infrastructure to allow them to be successful.”
The virtual visit with Colwell is a way for the campus community to become familiar with the program and understand the kinds of opportunities it can present. Kristin Pinkowski, the program’s coordinator, says she hopes the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program can establish a speaker series, regularly inviting inspiring guests to campus.
“We want to have meaningful opportunities and programs for our scholars but also for those outside the STEM community on campus,” Pinkowski says.
Harris says that, in addition to her studies, she likes learning about people and their stories, so she’s enjoyed Colwell’s book so far and is looking forward to hearing her speak.
“She describes her entire experience. I can learn and take advice from that,” Harris says. “Her book offers a lot of advice on personal development.”
This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University: TU Matters to Maryland, Diverse and Inclusive Campus and Culture of Philanthropy.