U.S. Science and Tech Adviser visits UTSA to discuss STEM, science diplomacy
Frances A. Colón, Ph.D.
Frances A. Colón, Ph.D.
Share this Story(Sept. 11, 2014) – Researchers across San Antonio will gather at the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio on Tuesday, Sept. 16 for the second annual San Antonio Postdoctoral Research Forum and Distinguished Lecture.
The science conference will feature a distinguished lecture by Frances A. Colón, Ph.D., the acting science and technology adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State. Work by postdoctoral researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), Texas Biomedical Research Institute and the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research will be on display.
“Scientific research in San Antonio is vast, diverse and dynamic, and is fueled by postdocs, early career scientists with doctoral degrees,” said Linda McManus, a Pathology Department professor at the UT Health Science Center. “Postdocs from four major San Antonio research institutions will gather to share ideas and science at the San Antonio Postdoctoral Research Forum and Distinguished Lecture. This celebration of postdocs and their achievements will add a new dimension to the collective scientific research enterprise in San Antonio.”
Colón’s keynote address, “How Scientists Can Change the World”, is scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16 in the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute Auditorium. It is preceded by research sessions and judging from noon to 3:30 p.m. and will be followed by a networking reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
On Wednesday, Sept. 17, Colón will visit UTSA to meet with post-doctoral students and learn more about the university’s research strengths and facilities. UTSA offers top-tier academic programs in health, energy, cybersecurity, sustainability, and human and social development.
The San Antonio Postdoctoral Research Forum will showcase the robust variety of exciting research by San Antonio’s postdoctoral science trainees. The gathering will promote vital networking in the San Antonio community through two invited talks and nearly 90 competitive research poster presentations.
“Gathering postdocs together across the city of San Antonio allows new innovative networks and scientific collaborations to develop,” said Emily Boice, a postdoctoral fellow in the UTSA Department of Chemistry. “These connections are paramount to the career development of new independent scientists. You can take these skills anywhere.”
As acting science and technology adviser to the secretary of state at the U.S. State Department, Colón promotes:
- integration of science and technology into foreign policy dialogues;
- global scientific engagement for capacity-building;
- advancement of women in science; and
- innovation as a tool for economic growth around the world
While at the State Department, Colón has overseen the creation of Networks of Diasporas in Engineering and Science (NODES) to empower diasporas with science and engineering expertise to develop and influence effective policies and solve challenges in their countries of origin.
Previously, she served the U.S. State Department as the science and environment adviser at the Western Hemisphere Affairs Bureau, where she was responsible for providing technical advice on how environmental and scientific issues affected foreign policy objectives in the Americas. During that time, she coordinated climate change policy for the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas announced by President Obama in 2009. From 2006 to 2008, as an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, she led a program for Muslim world outreach through K-12 science and math education cooperation.
Colón earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience in 2004 from Brandeis University, studying peripheral nervous system development in mammals. She earned her B.S. in Biology in 1997 from the University of Puerto Rico, where her passion for science was sparked as an undergraduate researcher.
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Events
This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.
