OVERVIEW

OFIS  features a virtual monthly Community Talk Series open to the public; as well as Professional Development Workshops for participants in our Mentorship, Ambassador, and Champion programs.

The Community Talk Series exposes students to scientists and those working in science-adjacent careers who share their career trajectories and how their work intersects with social justice.

Professional development workshop topics range from storytelling and public speaking, to creating effective content for LinkedIn profiles, and traditional and nontraditional career trajectories for STEAM master’s and doctoral degree students.

Below are our past event speakers, you may also visit Our Future is Science on Instagram for updates.

2023-2024 Public Events

  • JANUARY 10TH: Our Future is Science Community Talk

    Please join us on Wednesday, January 10th at 8pm ET via Zoom for the launch of our 2024 Community Talk Series. We will kick off the year on the topic of: Urban Agriculture and Implications for Climate Resiliency. Speakers include Qiana Mackie, Executive Director, Office of Urban Agriculture, NYC Office of the Mayor; Tonya Gale, Executive Director, Green City Force; and Domingo Morales, Founder, Compost Power.

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  • NOVEMBER 29TH: Our Future is Science Program Kickoff

    Please join us on Wednesday, November 29th at 7:30pm ET via Zoom to celebrate our third cohort of Mentors and Mentees; and second cohort of Ambassadors. We will feature keynotes by Millard McElwee, Ph.D. and Meagan Williams, P.E. titled “The Blue Print: Engineering for the People.”

PAST EVENTS

2021-2022

CLIMATE SCIENCE, CLIMATE CHANGE & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

  • Pierre Gentine, Ph.D.
    Professor, Columbia University
    Director, LEAP Center
    Topic: Climate Data Science and the Columbia University LEAP Center Research

  • Courtney Cogburn, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor
    Columbia University School of Social Work
    Chief Equity Officer & Knowledge Transfer Director
    LEAP Center
    Topic: Climate Data Science and the Columbia University LEAP Center Research

  • Joshua Omonuk
    Climate Activist
    RiseUp Movement
    Topic: Climate Change

  • Danielle Ignace, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor
    University of British Columbia
    Topic: Indigenous Populations and Climate Change/Justice


HEALTH, HEALTH DISPARITIES & SOCIAL JUSTICE

  • Eleanor Fleming, DDS, PhD, MPH
    Assistant Dean, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    University of Maryland School of Dentistry
    Topic: Health Disparities & Health Equity

  • Shanell McGoy, Ph.D., MPH
    Director, Corporate & Social Responsibility
    Gilead Sciences 
    Topic: Social Determinants of Health

DIVERSITY IN CLINICAL TRIALS

  • Maria Flores, MA
    Founder
    Brenner Insights
    Diversity in Clinical Trials

  • Brittney N. Doyle
    Founder
    WISE Health SF
    Topic: Clinical Trial Innovation Hubs


SCIENCE INNOVATION

  • Michelle Woodard
    Senior Manager
    3M Office & Innovation Center
    Topic: Materials Innovation


CORAL REEFS & SOCIAL JUSTICE

  • Kramer Wimberly, MSDT
    Master Scuba Diver
    Diving with a Purpose 
    Topic: Coral Reefs & Citizen Science


STEM EDUCATION & CAREERS

  • Daisa Taylor
    Founder, CEO 
    VariegateHealth
    Topic: STEM Education and the Value of Mentors

    Adrian Land, Ph.D.
    Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager
    Procter & Gamble
    Topic: Navigating STEM Education and Careers

  • Kristopher Green
    Relationship Manager
    LinkedIN
    Topic: Navigating LinkedIN

2022-2023

CLIMATE SCIENCE & SOCIAL JUSTICE

  • Courtney Cogburn, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor
    Columbia University School of Social Work
    Chief Equity Officer & Knowledge Transfer Director
    LEAP Center
    Topic: Combining Data & Principles of Community Engagement to Achieve Climate Justice


HEALTH, HEALTH DISPARITIES & SOCIAL JUSTICE

  • Eleanor Fleming, DDS, PhD, MPH
    Assistant Dean, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    University of Maryland School of Dentistry
    Topic: Social Justice and Health Equity


GENETICS & SOCIAL JUSTICE

  • Daphne O. Martschenko, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor
    Stanford  University
    Center for Biomedical Ethics
    Topic: Advancing STEM: The Intersection of Genetics & Social Justice

  • Mandeep (Muno) Sekhon
    Associate Communications and Special Projects Officer
    Burroughs Wellcome Fund
    Topic: Advancing STEM: The Intersection of Genetics & Social Justice

ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE

  • Mutale Nkonde
    Founder & CEO
    AI for the People 
    Topic: AI for All? Exploration of Algorithmic Bias in the Real-world

  • Chris Hemphill
    Senior Director, Commercial Intelligence
    Woebot Health
    Topic: AI for All? Exploration of Algorithmic Bias in the Real-world


STEM EDUCATION, CAREERS & COMMUNICATION

  • Ashley M. Taylor, Ph.D.
    Senior Scientist, Products Research
    Procter & Gamble
    Topic: Let’s Talk about It: Journey to Becoming a Cosmetic Chemist

  • Malik & Miles - The Tik Tok Twins
    STEM Educator/MIT Doctoral Students
    TikTok Twins
    Topic: STEM Education & Science Communiation

  • Marcus D. Walter
    News Anchor & Meteorologist
    WTVO/WQRF
    Topic: Science Communication & Storytelling