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
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
The deadline for registering to attend this event is Wednesday, July 31.
Please email emeyle2@illinois.edu and aramey2@illinois.edu with any questions.