2024 GEICS Conference

Sponsored by the Department of Chemistry's Graduate Diversity and Program Climate Office and the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, the annual Gender Equity in Chemical Sciences Conference is open to all graduate students and post-docs in both departments who are passionate about advocating for and supporting the professional advancement of women in the chemical sciences. The main objectives of the conference are to provide professional and social networking opportunities, offer advice and information regarding early graduate school decisions, and provide career development information and perspectives. The event is offered at no cost for all participants.

Saturday, August 24, 2024
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Campus Instructional Facility
1405 Springfield Ave, Urbana, IL 61801

Conference Program

Keynote Speakers
Kristin Finch

Associate Chief Diversity Officer
Office of Inclusive Excellence
Gonzaga University

Dr. Kristin Finch is the Associate Chief Diversity Officer in the Office of Inclusive Excellence at Gonzaga University. In this role, she advances the representation of the diverse communities at the university and supports the professional development of faculty and staff. Dr. Finch earned her Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with Paul Hergenrother. After graduate school, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN while concurrently teaching as an adjunct faculty member at LeMoyne-Owen College.

Jill Wenderott

Anne Stevens Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
Drexel University
Co-Founder, Women Supporting Women in the Sciences

Jill K. Wenderott is the Anne Stevens assistant professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Drexel University. Her research group aims to realize functional inorganic and hybrid materials for use in energy and environmental applications. Jill was part of an international team awarded the 2020 American Physical Society Innovation Fund to support their organization, Women Supporting Women in the Sciences (WS2). She also served as President of the Association for Women in Science – Chicago Area Chapter (AWIS-CAC) from 2020-2022.
 

Breakout Sessions

Conflict Resolution and Building Workplace Relations
Self-Empowerment: Dealing with Impostor Syndrome

Breakout Panels

Alumni Panel: Exploring Careers in Chemistry
Graduate Student Panel: Fostering Confidence, Curiosity, and Community

Networking Opportunities

Free breakfast, lunch, and flowerpot, and decorating activity

Registration

The deadline for registering to attend this event is August 16.
Please email emeyle2@illinois.edu and aramey2@illinois.edu with any questions.