Wesleyan Women in Science: 2005-2007 EVENTS
 	DATE	EVENT
	More announcements from WesWIS members of other events/openings available/of interest to WesWIS	The April 24th Tuesday Science Times has an excellent article on noted molecular geneticist Susan L. Lindquist and research on Parkinson's and other protein mis-folding diseases. It includes some of her thoughts on combining parenthood with top-flight science -- a subject several members of this group have wanted to discuss. Q. You give lectures to younger women scientists about career building. What do you advise? A. I talk about the personal aspects. I tell them if they want to have a family, they’d better pick a partner who’s going to support their work. Another thing, they have to make mindful financial choices. . . . (see http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/24/science/24conv.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=science for whole interview) A Great Opportunity for all Undergraduates Interested in a Career in Medicine or Other Health Professions! From Wesleyan to Medical School and Beyond: A Discussion with Jim Levine, M.D., '89 Middlesex Hospital Friday, April 27, 4 PM, NSM Conference Room (0101 Science Center) Refreshments Provided, Hosted by Mark Flory, Funded by a gift from the Scott Family to support interest in commencing a career in academic or applied medicine and the Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Department For those who would like to make connections outside of Wesleyan, take a look at http://www.mentornet.net/, "the E-Mentoring Network for Diversity in Engineering and Science."
	ongoing	ASK is still arranging trips to do experiments with schoolkids in Middletown. If you want to go along on one, and are not already on their emailing list, contact Shuk Kei <schengatwes>
	Friday April 20 1:30 - 3 pm Exley Science Center Lobby (Two events)	At one end of the lobby, the Celebration of Science Theses. Come congratulate all of the Natural Science and Mathematics BA and MA thesis writers (of all genders) on completing their theses, and read their posters to find out what their research was about. (light refreshments will be provided) At the other end of the lobby, as a WesFest Event, will be "Interested in the Sciences?" a chance for visiting pre-frosh to meet with students from various science-related groups and clubs, to find out what being a science student at Wesleyan is like. WesWIS and ASK will be staffing a table. If you would like to be involved, or represent another science-related group, or present a poster of summer or semester research you have done, e-mail lappelatwes to arrange for a space.
	Mon or Tues, April 9 or 10 6-9 pm Admissions	The admissions office has asked if we would like to be involved in one of their pre-frosh "phon-a-thons," during which current students call admitted students to welcome them, and answer any questions they have about Wesleyan as they make their decisions. Admissions would provide phones, and lists of admitted women prefrosh who expressed interested in the sciences. If you are available either of the time slots, e-mail lappelatwes directly.
	More announcements from WesWIS members of other events/openings available/of interest to WesWIS	Speaker: "Beyond the Conflict: Similarities between Science and Faith" Dr. Denis Alexander Director of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, St. Edmund's College, Cambridge University, Former Chairman of Molecular Immunology, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge Friday, February 9 @ 4:15pm, Sponsored by: Wesleyan Christian Fellowship, Wesleyan University Colloquium for the Study of Science and Religion, Metanexus Institute Local Societies Initiative.
	Friday Feb 9, 2007 noon - 1 NSM conference room, 0101 SC	Lunch Discussion: Dr. Yolanda Small of the Penn State University will talk with WesWIS students about Life in Graduate School . . . and what comes next. Dr. Small will be speaking in the chemistry department colloquium series at 3:30 the same day on her dissertation research, "Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Quantum Mechanical/Molecular Mechanical Methods for Proton and Hydride Transfer in Enzymes."
	Tuesday Feb 6, 2007 noon - 1pm 84 Hall-Atwater	Lunch Discussion: "Opportunities Outside the Classroom -- Summer Internships, Research Programs, and Study Abroad for Science Majors." Those of you who have had good summer internships or research are invited to tell how it went, and how you found out about the program. Carolyn K. Sorkin, Director of International Studies, and some recently students recently returned from semesters abroad will talk about Wesleyan's study abroad program, and their experiences.
	Announcements from WesWIS members of other events/openings available/of interest to WesWIS	World AIDS Week: November 27th - December 1st Get informed, take actions, fight aids, here at Wesleyan and around the world. (See flyers around campus or lwalkoveratwes for events -- lectures, panels, arts, activisim, documentary screeenings, videoconferencing, vigil, and party. Several of the events focus on women's empowerment and choices.) Sponsors: Ujamaa, Oasis Center, Americans for Informed Democracy, Positive Solutions, Inc., Students for Microbicides, Peer Health Advocates, WesPrep, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Department, Adelphic Educational Fund, Healthful Words Fund, Wesleyan Student Assembly, The Center for Community Partnerships - - - - - - DO YOU WANT A CHANGE OF SCENERY FOR SPRING SEMESTER? COME LIVE IN SCIENCE HOUSE! Located on the first floor of Hewitt 8, we're the only program hall to offer balconies. (Also, a great Kitchen and common room area, and laundry is on the hall so you won't have to travel far to clean your sheets.) We host great programs like last semesters Six Flags Physics Day and Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream! Come be a part of a great community! For more information contact kjchoatwes or come by the house!
	Wednesday Nov. 15 noon - 1pm 84 Hall-Atwater	WesWIS Course-Selection Peer-Advising Lunch - this will be a chance to get together with other WIS members in your (potential) major to talk about options and choices during the pre-registration browsing period. Upperclasswomen, bring your experiences and advise; everybody bring your questions, coursebooks, and appetites.
	Monday Oct. 23 AND 30, 2006 noon - 1 201 Shanklin	WesWIS Discussion Lunch - Discussion of "Beyond Bias and Barriers: Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering," the report recently released by a committee of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. There are clearly still problems. Are things improving? What steps can individuals and institutions take to improve the situation? If you want to help prepare and lead the discussion of the report, e-mail wis@wes to take a chapter. Remember to RSVP to msnow@wes to be included in the lunch order. Part 2 The discussion only got half way through the report, so will continue Oct 30^th, with Chapters 5 (Institutional Constraints) and 6 (Fulfilling the Potential) and the Recommendations of the Committee.
	Friday Oct 13 2-5 pm, EN-A120 SCSU	Career Panel at SCSU: "What can you do with a bachelor's degree in science or math? (for more info or to arrange rides, e-mail westling1atsouthernct.edu)
	ONGOING	ASK (Action Science Kids) will be planning their first set of outreach experiments, and making trips to local fifth graders. ASK is a group of Wesleyan women interested in teaching science to Middletown schoolkids through fun and interactive experiments. More volunteers are always welcome, whether helping the kids with experiments on a single day, or for the long term.
	Friday Sept. 22, 2006 noon - 1 84 Hall-Atwater	WesWIS Alumna Speaker: Katy Augustyn '01 "Long Range DNA Damage and its Biological Consequences. . . . and opening meeting of 2006-2007.  See coverage in the Argus, with photo. http://www.wesleyanargus.com/article.php?article_id=3794
	Friday Sept.15, 2-5 pm Wesleyan Arena	WSA Activities Fair -- Wesleyan Women in Science staffs a booth with information and fliers.
	3-5 pm Friday, April 21 Exley Science Center Lobby	"Interested in the Sciences?" WesWIS and ASK help sponsor and staff tables at the information session during WesFest, to talk to pre-frosh -- and extract DNA from wheat germ.
	1:30-3 pm Friday, April 21 Exley Science Center Lobby (by Pi café)	Celebration of Science Theses Honors students from Division III (Natural Sciences and Mathematics) will present their thesis research to peers and the community in a poster session in the Exley Science Center Lobby. Come join us in celebrating their achievements. **BA/MA thesis writers, you should have already received an invitation from your department.  **Everyone else, come celebrate!
	Wednesday April 6 noon 84 Hall-Atwater (Please RSVP to msnow@wes to get a count for lunch; include any dietary restrictions.)	WesWIS Course-Selection Peer-Advising Lunch - this will be a chance to get together with other WIS members in your (potential) major to talk about options and choices.  The meeting will be - the middle of browsing week. Upperclasswomen, bring your experiences and advise; everybody bring your questions, coursebooks, and appetites. ASK members (many of whom are also WesWIS members): We know you've got a meeting at OCS at 12:30 to go out to the schools that day, but come join us for the first half hour. You have to eat sometime, and might even pick up new volunteers!	 
	Monday, April 3, 4:15 and 8 pm and Monday, April 10, 5 pm The Goldsmith Family Cinema, Center for Film Studies	WesWIS is invited to the Science on Film series, made possible by the Snowdon Funds, Hughes, and various Wesleyan programs and departments WesWIS members might be particularly interested in the 4:15 screening and talk this coming Monday. It is expressly designed for students to chat with the senior science editor of NOVA after the screening of an episode. An excellent opportunity to talk about careers! The other two events will be open to the rest of campus and the public, but this one is reserved for students. Monday, April 3 NOVA: The Scientific Documentary The Goldsmith Family Cinema, The Center for Film Studies 4:15 p.m. "Producing the Scientific Documentary" ******for students only******** NOVA senior science editor Evan Hadingham will screen a recent episode of NOVA and discuss how the production team crafted the episode. 8:00 p.m. "Science Television: Information as Entertainment" *******open to all******* NOVA senior science editor Evan Hadingham will lecture on the opportunities and challenges inherent in producing scientific documentaries for popular consumption. Monday, April 10 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence in CONTACT *******open to all******* The Goldsmith Family Cinema, The Center for Film Studies 5:00 p.m. Screening of CONTACT (1997), starring Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey. Following the film, there will be a panel discussion led by Dr. Bryan Butler, staff scientist at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and science advisor to the film; Dr. Fred Cohan, Wesleyan Biology Department; and Dr. Peter Gottschalk, Wesleyan Religion Department. Dr. Butler will comment on the "Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence" (SETI) program depicted in the film and for which radio wavelength observations have been a major component. Dr. Butler will also discuss his experiences as a science advisor to this film, and share his perspectives about the use of science in Hollywood film-making. Dr. Cohan will comment on the origins of life on this planet, and the prospects of finding life elsewhere in the universe. Dr. Gottschalk will discuss how empirical science has historically challenged both anthrocentric and theocentric views in Western cultures and religions, and compare how discovery of life elsewhere in the universe would mirror the Copernicus revolution. Following the short presentations, the audience will be invited to ask questions and share perspectives on these topics. Open to the public. The SCIENCE ON FILM series is made possible by support from the Edward W. Snowdon Fund; the Fund for Innovation; the Deans of Divisions I, II, and III; the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Department; the Wesleyan Hughes Program in the Life Sciences; the Astronomy Department; the Film Studies Department; and the Cinema Archives.
	Thursday March 30, 7 pm Please e-mail Renee Johnson-Thornton rjohnson01@wes by 4 pm WEDNESDAY if you want to come -- she'll send you more details. [co-sponsored with Deans Office/SARN and HPPI]	WesWIS alumna reports back from Grad School (7 pm dinner) Recent Wes alum Kelly Nembhard is back visiting Wes to do some experiments in a collaboration between her undergraduate (Prof. Devoto's zebrafish development lab) and graduate (Cell Biology program in Duke University Medical Center) labs. WesWIS members are invited to join her for dinner THIS Thursday night (March 30) at 7 pm, to talk about life in graduate school. While at Wesleyan, Kelly was a member of the students of color community and West Indian Student Association (WISA) as well as WesWIS.
 	Wednesday February 22 noon - 1 Zilkha Gallery (in CFA) please RSVP to msnow[at]wes to be included in the lunch order.	We journey across the Great Divide (Church Street and Wyllys Avenue) for a talk, discussion and gallery viewing hosted by Exhibition Curator and Art History Lecturer Nina Felshin: "ART AND SCIENCE: STRANGE BEDFELLOWS, OR JOINED AT THE HIP?" In the Zilkha Main gallery, we will view Ellen K. Levy: evolution[n], a multimedia installation of scrolls made by combining images and texts from registered patents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Then, along with Art majors and other Science Majors, there will be a discussion of the work, and the general topic of Artists Views of Science and Scientists, and vice versa. The adjacent gallery in Zilkha has an exhibit that will be of interest to this audience as well: Not Prepared (from the Hebrew Ani Lo Mukhanah) by Israeli artist Hagit Molgan explores the role of religion and rituals in shaping social values and promoting unequal gender relations in Judaism. The artist explores these ideas through the lens of niddah, the ritual laws concerning menstruation.
 	Friday February 10, 2006 noon 84 Hall-Atwater	Prof. Jan Naegele of the Biology Dept. and Neuroscience and Behavior will give a lunch talk: SCIENTIFIC GENIUS AND CREATIVITY: WHAT'S SEX GOT TO DO WITH IT? The recent remarks of Harvard University President Larry Sommers, that innate differences between the sexes might help explain why relatively few women become professional scientists or engineers, have added to ongoing debates about the biological differences between female and male brains. Does the professional gap in the sciences have anything to do with creativity and differences in the brains of men and women? To address this question, we will examine known structural differences between the female and male brain, how early experiences, such as playing music, alter the brain and enhance mathematical skills, and how other structural differences in the developing brain are sculpted through genetic programs, hormones, and environmental signals. Insights and examples will also be drawn from studies of how neurological disorders alter creative abilities and what happens during so-called "Eureka moments" in the process of scientific discovery. (She first addressed this issue at the Shasha Seminar on Accessing Creativity last fall.) Please RSVP to msnow[at]wes to be included in the lunch order.
 	Saturdays, November 12 and 19 Contact Science House or rdbrown[at]wes.	Science House pre-frosh phonathon: share your experience with prospective students interested in the sciences at Wesleyan.
 	Wednesday November 10 noon 84 Hall-Atwater	Course-Selection Peer-Advising Lunch - this will be a chance to get together with other WIS members in your (potential) major to talk about options and choices.  The meeting will be - the middle of browsing week.  Upperclasswomen, bring your experiences and advise; everybody bring your questions, coursebooks,  and appetites.  (Please RSVP to msnow[at]wes to get a count for lunch; include any dietary restrictions.)
 	Wednesday November 2 7 pm Woodhead Lounge [RSVP for dinner with the speaker before the talk]	Dr. Lydia J. Young, Director of Engineering at KLA-Tencor Corporation "Where's the Science in Engineering? Career Opportunities in the High Tech Industry" Dr. Young will discuss her career path, and engineering fits into science and liberal arts thinking.
 	ONGOING Contact Kate Longley (klongley[at]wes) for more information or to join them on their next school visit	ASK (Action Science Kids) has planned their first set of outreach experiments, and made their first trip of the season to local fifth graders. ASK is a group of Wesleyan women interested in teaching science to Middletown schoolkids through fun and interactive experiments.  More volunteers are always welcome, whether helping the kids with experiments on a single day, or for the long term.
 	Tuesday Sept. 20, 2005 84 Hall-Atwater	WesWIS opening meeting: get to know each other, get organized, start planning events for the year..
 	Friday Sept.18 Wesleyan Arena	WSA Activities Fair -- Wesleyan Women in Science staffs a booth with information and fliers.
http://www.wesleyan.edu/wis	Current WIS Events Page WesWIS Homepage