The WISE Conference will take place in The Schapiro Center, Columbia University
9:30 AM REGISTRATION AND BREAKFAST
Registration will begin at 9:30 am. Please arrive with your Eventbrite ticket QR code ready to scan. Once you have checked in and receive your name badge, you will be directed to the breakfast area.
10:00 AM WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS
10:15 AM FACULTY PANEL To view our faculty biographies, please visit the Faculty Panelists page.
Moderator:Aastha Manoj Joshi,MS, Data Science MS Student;GradSWE BoardLydia Chilton, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Columbia University Lauren Marbella, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University Allie Obermeyer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Chemical Engineering, Columbia University Katie Reuther, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University Christina Vizcarra, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Chemistry, Barnard College
11:30 AM WORKSHOP BREAKOUT SESSIONS:
1. FUNDING YOUR GRADUATE EDUCATION Kathleen Gay, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions, Columbia Engineering Learn more about the process of seeking funding opportunities for graduate programs. Hear more about the fellowships available to women interested in graduate degrees in science and engineering.
2. CARLETON LAB TOUR Civil Engineering The Carleton Laboratory serves as the central laboratory for all experimental work performed in the Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics. It is the largest laboratory at Columbia University’s Morningside campus and is equipped for teaching and research in all types of engineering materials and structural elements as well as damage detection, fatigue, vibrations, and sensor networks. The Laboratory has a full-time staff, who provides assistance in teaching and research. The Laboratory is equipped with a strong floor that allows for the testing of full-scale structural components such as bridge decks, beams, and columns. Furthermore, it is equipped with universal testing machines ranging in capacity from 150 kN (30,000 lb) to 3 MN (600,000 lb). The seamless integration of both research and teaching in the same shared space allows civil engineering students of all degree tracks to gain a unique appreciation of modern experimental approaches to material science and engineering mechanics.
3. ROAR LAB TOUR Mechanical Engineering - Rehab Robotics! The Robotics And Rehabilitation (RoAR) Lab is focused on developing innovative robots and methods to help humans relearn, restore, or improve functional movements. The lab is housed both in Engineering and Medical campuses of Columbia University. Led by Dr. Sunil Agrawal, the lab works actively with clinical faculty from Columbia University Medical Center and hospitals around New York city. Human studies have targeted elderly subjects and patients with stroke, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and others.
The Robotic Spine Exoskeleton is designed as an assistance device and a training device for human subjects with spine disorders. It is a two-layer Stewart platform, each layer consisting of a six-degree-of-freedom spatial parallel mechanism.
4. BANTA LAB TOUR Chemical Engineering Applying Protein Engineering, Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology to Solve Important Problems in Biotechnology! Research in the Banta Lab has several areas of focus. The lab has been engineering a unique beta-roll peptide sequence that can transition from an unfolded-state to a folded-state upon addition of calcium. This leads to a variety of useful applications including protein hydrogel formation, protein purification, and more recently, biomolecular recognition. In another protein engineering project, his group has engineered just about every aspect of a thermostable alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme including, cofactor specificity, substrate specificity, activity with non-natural cofactors, self-assembly, and binding of non-natural molecules. His lab also works on the development of new protein/protein and protein/nanomaterial interactions for multi-modal and multi-step catalytic processes, with the goal of engineering substrate channeling between active sites. He has an ongoing interest in developing strategies to create biochemicals from CO2 using renewable electricity (electrofuels) or from industrial process streams. He recently started a company, Ironic Chemicals LLC, with Professor Alan West in chemical engineering to create biofuels using copper mining waste.
5. GETTING TO GRAVITAS: BUILDING A POWERFUL PRESENCE FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Raleigh Mayer, the Gravitas Guru and principal of Raleigh Mayer Consulting, Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University
First impressions last forever, and there are many elements that contribute to reputation and relationship management, but the most immediate and indelible impressions you make—in meetings, presentations, and every personal interaction—are through all aspects of your communication. Do your non-verbal messages project confidence, power, and authority? Is your speaking style compelling and effective?
Does your appearance broadcast success or something less advantageous? And, do you connect—clearly, sincerely, and meaningfully—with your classmates, instructors, and employers?
This fast-paced, dynamic, and highly participatory seminar will help each participant: -Act the Part: Understand your roles and goals and embody them comfortably -Look the Part: Fine-tune appearance and expression to send strategic messages -Sound the Part: Express yourself more deliberately and confidently 6. REPLACE SELF-DOUBT WITH CONFIDENCE - CONVERSATION ON IMPOSTER SYNDROME Asha De Costa, Associate Director of Wellness, Columbia Engineering The Conversation on Imposter Syndrome Workshop is designed to help define imposter syndrome and learn coping skills. Attendees will have an opportunity to have a safe space to share their experiences with others and build self-confidence.
2:30 PM INTERMISSION Light refreshments will be served. Join conference attendees for a brief networking mixer and refuel for the afternoon sessions of the conference.
1:15 PM INFORMATION SESSION: COLUMBIA ENGINEERING GRADUATE ADMISSIONS & THE BRIDGE TO THE Ph.D. IN STEM PROGRAM Kathleen Gay, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions, Columbia Engineering Kwame Osei-Sarfo, Director of Bridge to the Ph.D in STEM Program
Learn more about the exciting research and graduate degree programs offered at Columbia Engineering. Gain insight into graduate admissions along with our on-going research, student life, and the opportunities available to Columbia Engineering graduate and post-baccalaureate students.
2:00 PM GRADUATE STUDENT AND ALUMNI PANEL To view our panelists biographies, please visit the Graduate Student and Alumni Panel page.
Moderator: Mariah Yessenia Alston, Graduate Student of Columbia Engineering Graduate Admissions Mel Aber, Ph.D Candidate, Applied Physics Ashritha Eadara, MS Student, Biomedical Engineering Sara Lytle, MS, Student Earth and Environmental Engineering Deborah Owolabi, MS Alumna, Civil Engineering
3:00 PM KEYNOTE Elisa E. Konofagou, Ph.D. Robert and Margaret Hariri Professor of Biomedical Engineering and RadiologyTo learn more about our keynote speaker, please visit our Keynote Speaker page.
3:45 PM CLOSING REMARKS AND RAFFLE We will be announcing our 3 raffle winners at the end of the conference. Stay tuned!