AWARD FOR LAVERNIA

Honored by the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science as a distinguished scientist, UC Davis' Enrique Lavernia, dean and distinguished professor in the College of Engineering, is due to receive his award during a dinner meeting today (Oct. 27) in San Jose, where the society is holding its annual conference.

The society has been presenting such awards since 1997, recognizing contributions to the field of science, and dedication to teaching and the mentoring of underrepresented minority students — in furtherance of the society’s mission to foster the success of Hispanic-Chicano and Native American scientists.

Lavernia returned to his post as dean of the College of Engineering in January after serving as provost and executive vice chancellor for nearly two years.

The daughter of an Imperial Valley farmworker and a member of the first generation of her family to attend college, UC Davis Assistant Professor Lorena Navarro hopes to inspire some special guests on campus this week.

Navarro, of the Department of Microbiology, is among dozens of faculty members and graduate students who are encouraging nearly 100 undergraduates from across the country to explore advanced studies and careers in fields in which the undergrads' ethnic groups are underrepresented.

UC Davis is hosting the students in conjunction with the annual conference of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science. The conference is taking place this year in San Jose, today through Sunday (Oct. 27-30).

Founded nearly 40 years ago, the society fosters the success of Hispanic-Chicano and Native American scientists — from college students to professionals — to attain advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in science. The society's annual conference is the largest such gathering of outstanding minority scientists in the country.

With a theme of "Empowering Innovation and Synergy through Diversity," the conference supports the development of underrepresented minorities as part of a work force of scientists and engineers needed to maintain the nation's global leadership in science and technology.

Showcasing our STEM programs

Hector Cuevas, director of outreach, recruitment and retention for Graduate Studies, which organized UC Davis' participation in the conference, said: "All the activities will help us reach students, particularly underrepresented students, who have an interest in UC Davis and our outstanding STEM programs" — referring to the university's more than 50 graduate programs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

In choosing UC Davis, the students would be choosing an institution that already places high in U.S. News & World Report's rankings for racial and ethnic diversity: ninth among public universities and 17th among large research universities.

The program for an Oct. 26 dinner on campus included a speech by Navarro, who said beforehand that she planned to encourage the students to follow their dreams. Born in Mexico, she earned a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from UC Davis in 1993 and a doctorate in biology from UC San Diego in 2002. During her graduate studies, she became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

"I had a lot of help to get here," said Navarro, noting the support of counselors, lecturers and fellowships. "I feel compelled to do the same for other people. It's a responsibility. I never take it for granted."

Navarro, who regularly speaks to high school students to encourage them to consider studies and careers in science, said she hopes her participation in the conference events can help inspire the students. "Just the presence of other people who look like you really helps a lot," she said.

Today, the student visitors were due to visit graduate programs, tour research laboratories, hear from graduate students and meet faculty before heading to San Jose.

Networking and internship opportunities

The visitors include Denver's Jerome Castillon, a self-identified Pacific Islander, who is a sophomore majoring in biochemistry at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. While here, he looks forward to learning more about the pharmacology program and seeing research labs.

"I think it's a great opportunity for any kind of minority," he said of the UC Davis field trip and conference. "I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to network and find some internship possibilities."

UC Davis has a strong presence at the conference, where more than 2,500 students and professors from across the country are due to attend research presentations, participate in professional development sessions and network.

Dean Enrique Lavernia of the College of Engineering is receiving an award (see box), and Navarro and about 40 other professors are judging research presentations, staffing a booth about UC Davis programs, and participating in mentoring and networking events with students.

When she tells the students about her own graduate group in microbiology, Navarro will emphasize the diversity of the faculty's research interests and the program's collaborative nature.

Castillon said he is especially interested in visiting the exhibit hall, where UC Davis and other universities will share information about their graduate programs. He said he will be talking to people and collecting business cards: "I'm interested in following up and taking advantage of the opportunity."