Role Models
carlyo | February 12, 2014Archibald A. Alexander – Noted Design and Construction Engineer
Best known for designing Washington, DC's Tidal Basin Bridge and Whitehurst Freeway; first black graduate of the University of Iowa's College of Engineering; served as territorial governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands
Growing up in Iowa during the late 1880s, Archibald "Archie" Alexander remembers being warned that engineering was not something he could expect to succeed in as a black man. But he pushed forward anyway, later graduating in 1912 with a bachelor's degree in engineering from the State University of Iowa (now the…
carlyo | February 3, 2014George Washington Carver – Botanist, Inventor and Educator
One of the most phenomenal scientists of the early 20th Century. He found amazing uses for the peanut, sweet potato and soy bean that continue to enrich our lives. And against racial obstacles, his achievements paved the way for generations of young African American scientists
The ultimate agricultural botanist and chemist, George Washington Carver, from his early years, was known for his curiosity and his "burning zeal to know everything", especially about nature. He soon became fascinated with how to use botany and other sciences…
carlyo | January 28, 2014Gerty Theresa Cori -- Biochemist
Often considered one of the greatest women scientists of the 20th century. The first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine; known for her discovery (with husband Carl Cori and physiologist Bernardo Houssay) of how the body metabolizes glucose
Born Gerty Theresa Radnitz in 1896 in Prague (then in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now the Czech Republic), Gerty grew up at a time when women were marginalized in science and allowed few educational opportunities. However, at age sixteen and influenced by her uncle, (who was a professor of…
carlyo | November 22, 2013Chien Shiung-Wu -- Experimental Physicist
One of the foremost physicists of the twentieth century, this Chinese-born American researcher was often called the "First Lady of Physics" for her pioneering work, which included radically changing scientific views on the behavior of nuclear particles
Chien Shiung-Wu once said: "I sincerely doubt that any open-minded person really believes in the faulty notion that women have no intellectual capacity for science and technology. Nor do I believe that social and economic factors are the actual obstacles that prevent women's participation in the…
carlyo | October 25, 2013Nikola Tesla -- Electrical and Mechanical Engineer, Inventor
One of science's most amazing visionaries of all time, Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla
was considered a mathematical phenomenon since childhood, being able as a high school
student to perform integral calculus in his head, which initially prompted his teachers to believe that he was cheating!
This famous engineer and inventor was known for developing the alternating-current (AC) electrical system widely used today and the discovery of the rotating magnetic field. Tesla also proved that the Earth can be used as an…
carlyo | August 8, 2013Kristin Laidre --Marine Mammal Biologist
Kristin Laidre is one of the world's foremost experts on the elusive, mysterious Narwhal whale. Her work with native communities in Arctic regions of Canada and Greenland is helping to preserve the Narwhal and other sea mammals from the effects sea ice loss due to climate change.
"I was always interested in marine biology, marine animals, and even science as a junior-high and high school student," she recalls. "In upstate New York I rarely got to visit the ocean, but when I did (usually on Long Island), I loved it and knew if I could create the…
carlyo | August 1, 2013Ronald Mickens -- Research Physicist and Mathematician
Ronald Mickens is a leading authority on oscillations (repetitive, vibrating motions that occur in cycles), and in developing mathematical models for predicting the spread of disease. He has been recognized as an expert on the history of African Americans in science and mathematics.
Although he is now a respected researcher and educator, Ronald Mickens can remember as a child being constantly in trouble at home because of his curious, active mind for dangerous scientific experiments. This includes conducting experiments with caustic…
carlyo | July 24, 2013Peggy Whitson -- NASA Astronaut and Biochemist
We continue to recognize 50 Years of Women in Space with STEM Role Model Peggy Whitson. Peggy Whitson grew up on a farm in Iowa with big dreams of becoming a NASA Astronaut. She was the first female commander of the International Space Station and a veteran of six space walks. She set records among American Astronauts for spending the most time in space.
Her achievements as a veteran space explorer are well known among the distinguished ranks of NASA astronauts, but learn of her harrowing and life-threatening journey back to Earth after her…
carlyo | June 28, 2013Stephen Hawking: Theoretical Physicist and Bestselling Author
Stephen Hawking is often regarded as one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists since Einstein. He is best known for his compelling insights into such areas as Black Holes, relativity and quantum mechanics.
Since bursting onto the international scene in 1988 with his bestselling book, “A Brief History of Time", Stephen Hawking has become synonymous with helping us understand fundamental mysteries of physics and our existence, such as: Where did the universe come from? How and why did it begin? Will it come to an end, and if…
carlyo | June 6, 2013Karin Muraszko – Pediatric Neurosurgeon
--The first and only female to head an academic neurosurgery department in the U.S.
--Successfully handles her demanding surgical schedule despite having spina bifida (curvature of the spine)
Of the approximately 4,920 neurosurgeons in the United States today, only about 5.6 percent – or 277 – are women. Discover one of the female pioneers in this field and her work as a leading pediatric neurosurgeon to treat children suffering from disorders and injuries to the brain and spinal cord. Moreover, learn how she herself has dealt with a spinal…
carlyo | May 16, 2013Heroes should never be forgotten, but unfortunately too many of them in the field of science go missing from our classroom textbooks. Equally disturbing is that a disproportionate number of these heroes overlooked are women and minorities.
While the average American young person will likely have no trouble detailing the latest antics of such stars as Ashton Kutcher, Lindsay Lohan, or Kanye & Kim, most, sadly, would be hard-pressed to tell you who the following trailblazers in science were:
-- Molecular biologist Rosiland Franklin, who was responsible for much of the research and discovery…
carlyo | April 4, 2013Celebrating Role Models in Science & Engineering Achievement!
Ali Javan's important work is a major component of what you are doing right now- using the internet. To read his full biography and the profiles of all our STEM Role Models click here.
jtoney | August 3, 2012
Every four years, I am inspired by the Olympic portrayal of the best of human strength and spirit that brings together nations unlike any other event. Thanks to Canadian sprinter Jenna Martin, I found this astounding example of an Olympic Fall. It is a race emblematic of the value of falls, and failures in our life. It is a must see!
jtoney | April 3, 2012
Hunger Games - World Food Programme.
Hunger Games portrays a grim future in which the "bottom 99%" must ration their food to reduce the chance that their children will be sent as "tributes" to compete in a game to the death.
But -
What if, together, we can identify thousands of new paths out of poverty around the world in just 48 hours?
Imagine thousands of Katniss Everdeen-inspired avatars battling hunger - for real.
{Today} the Rockefeller Foundation and the Institute for the Future (IFTF) will join forces with people across the globe and ask them to help solve global poverty through…
jtoney | March 25, 2012
Photo source.
"There's an African saying: When the elephants fight, the grass suffers."
Dartmouth College President Jim Yong Kim on the greatest challenge in global health, in a recent interview with Charlie Rose, pointing out that the "poorest of poor suffer the most."
Such wisdom will serve Dr. Kim well as he prepares to lead the World Bank, in response to President Obama's nomination. Dr. Kim is a physician and human rights advocate, whose research was initially bolstered by a major grant from George Soros to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis.
The recent interview by Charlie Rose also…
jtoney | March 23, 2012
Netwon's Apple Gravity (SodaHead).
Sir Isaac Newton punching his sister? How about pricking a friend with a pin?
Yes, even giants such as Sir Newton, are subject to being strayed from time to time. An amazing resource of his personal notebooks and library is now available, maintained by the University of Sussex.
Here's a sample of his recording of "49 sins" committed in 1662:
Before Whitsunday 1662.
Vsing the word (God) openly 1
Eating an apple at Thy house 2
Making a feather while on Thy day 3
Denying that I made it. 4
Making a mousetrap on Thy day 5
Contriving of the chimes on Thy day 6…
jtoney | January 15, 2012
Photo source, Stephanie Taylor.
Denver Broncos Quarterback Tim Tebow, as discussed in my last post has captured America's attention because of spectacular athletic skills and his - some say - shameless display of his religious faith.
Such a public display of piety has brought out mean-spirited commentary from my fellow bloggers, referring to Tim Tebow as "impotent," "obnoxious," a "militant evangelical Christian" (quotes below.) Really?
From "There is No God:"
This is what happens when you vaingloriously give your deity responsibility for carrying a stupid little football game: his…
jtoney | May 11, 2011
This is a story of two fetching women, one known for glitz and vacuous socializing, one known for serious news commentary and for reinventing the television morning news show format. Yes, as my title reveals, they are Paris Hilton and Mika Brzezinski whose paths crossed unwittingly, emblematic of American female beauty and brains.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Brzezinski last night, as she was the Commencement speaker for our Graduate College. She shared with our graduates, predominantly women, the challenges of equality in the workplace - equal pay for equal work - detailed in her…
jtoney | December 21, 2010
"We also discovered that science is cool and fun because you get to do stuff that no one has ever done before."
With my academic training and years of reflecting on how to teach science, I don't think I could develop a more compelling statement than this, written by a group of elementary school students.
As graduate students in science, we struggle mightily to get a paper published in a top journal. This story reported by Ed Yong in Discover magazine reminds us that pure science, the process of discovery, can be accomplished by young children. Some would argue that you need to be a…
jtoney | December 15, 2010
Photo: Flickr Scott Beale / Laughing Squid
This morning, TIME magazine announced their choice for Person of the Year: Founder of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg. I am one amongst more than 500 million users worldwide that have used the power of online social networking to not only connect with others but to use this technology as a tool for research and teaching and learning. I am just beginning to see its potential.
On a personal level, I have been able to connect with old friends using Facebook; reaching out using the now quaint technology email never seemed to work. I invite you to share…