Free parking is available the 5th floor of the Parking Facility (building number 16 on the campus map: neiu.edu/campus-map)

In honor of the 150th anniversary of Marie Curie’s birth and in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of Northeastern Illinois University, this conference will include fascinating seminars, engaging roundtable discussions, inspiring laboratory activities, Science with Sophie, and a screening of the film “Marie Curie: The Courage of Knowledge.” The agenda (below) features renowned international speakers from various fields of study, including globally renowned Public Health expert, Professor Witold Zatonski, M.D., an Epidemiologist from the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Institute of Oncology in Warsaw, Poland, Sophie Shrand, the creator and host of Science with Sophie, and Julie Des Jardins, author of Madame Curie Complex: The Hidden History of Women in Science.

With an inspiring story of tenacity and empowerment, Marie Curie was the first woman to win the Nobel prize and the only person to receive two Nobel prizes in two different disciplines (physics and chemistry). She is honored for her discovery of radium and polonium, her remarkable push for clinical adaptation of her laboratory findings to benefit medical patients, and her extraordinary contribution to the fight against cancer.

Conference Agenda

Download PDF of Full Conference Agenda including Presenter Bios

Monday, September 18, 2017

Reception – 5:30 pm (Location: Golden Eagles Room)

Welcome – 6:00 pm (Location: Alumni Hall)

• Dr. Sharon Hahs, NEIU President Emerita, Organic Chemistry
• Dr. Christina Ciecierski, ChicagoCHEC and NEIU
• Dr. Witold Zatoński, Epidemiology, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Institute of Oncology
• Invited dignitaries from the Consulates of Poland and France

Keynote Address – 6:30–7:30 pm (Location: Alumni Hall)

“Madame Curie’s American Legacy,” Julie Des Jardins, author of The Madame Curie Complex: The Hidden History of Women in Science (Feminist Press, 2010)

Cultural Program – 7:45–9:45 pm (Location: Recital Hall)

• “Marie Skłodowska Curie: The First Lady of Science,” Dr. Kuligowska, Boston University, Radiology
• Movie screening: “Marie Curie: The Courage of Knowledge” (1 hour 40 min)
  

  Most suitable for audiences over the age of 13.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Session I: Marie Sklodowska Curie: Beyond all Barriers
10:30 am–12:00 pm (Location: Alumni Hall South)
Chair: Nabil Kahouadji, Mathematics, NEIU

Opening Remarks: Michael Stern, Dean, College of Graduate Studies and Research, NEIU
10:50-11:10 – “Science as a Tapestry: How Advances in one Scientific Field Lead to Discoveries in Another,” Sudha Srinivas, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, NEIU
11:20-11:50 – “Maria Skłodowska-Curie: Contributions to the Education of Women,” Aleksandra Jarczewska, Assistant Professor, Political Science, Warsaw University

Session II: Curing Cancer from the STEM
12:15–1:30 pm (Location: Alumni Hall South)
Chair: Cindy Voisine, Biology, NEIU

12:15-12:35 – “Profiling Protein Phosphatase Activity Using Peptide Arrays and Mass Spectrometry,” Jing Su, Chemistry, NEIU
12:40-1:00 – “Applications of Signatures Curves to Characterize Melanomas and Moles,” Cheri Shakiban, Mathematics, St. Thomas University, MN
1:05-1:25 – “Vitamin D3 in Women’s Health Disparities and Recurrent Inflammation: To D or not to D?” Stella Nowicki, Microbiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN

Session III: STEM to STEAM: Underrepresentation of Females in Scientific Study
1:45–3:00 pm (Location: Alumni Hall South)
Chair: Ruth Church, Psychology, NEIU

1:45-2:15 – “Closing the Gender Gap in Math Achievement: The Role Gesture Plays in Math Education for Girls,” Hannah Valdiviejas, Theodora Koumoutsakis, and Ruth Church, Psychology, NEIU
2:15-2:45 – “Traditional vs. Functional VRPs: Comparing Strategies and Results of Amplitude, Frequency, and Egg Waveform in Emerging Artists,” Katherine Peterson, Music, NEIU                                

Session IV: Life and Work of Marie Sklodowska Curie Exhibit
3:00–3:55 pm (Location: Student Union)

Exhibit sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, Washington D.C.

Session V: Laboratory Discoveries with Marie Sklodowska Curie
4:00–5:15 pm (Location: NEIU Laboratories)

Lab A: “Marie Curie and Mathematics,” Nabil Kahouadji, Mathematics, NEIU (Location: BBH 234)
Lab B: “The Magic of Chemistry,” Sargon Al-Bazi, Chemistry, NEIU (Location: BBH 234)
Lab C: “Kids Who Stay Curie-ous,” Emma Battaglia, NEIU Economics, B.A. Alumna (Location: Student Union 216)

Children in primary grades and higher are warmly invited.

Session VI: Future of STEM: Living Science from Girl to Workplace
5:30–8:00 pm (Location: Alumni Hall)

5:30–6:00 – “Navigating the Professoriate to Impact Health Equity,” Melissa Simon, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Preventive Medicine and Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine
6:00–6:30 – “Why SeXX Matters: From Cells to Scientists,” Nicole Woitowich, Director of Science Outreach and Education, Women’s Health Research Institute, Northwestern University; NEIU Biology, B.S. Alumna
7:00–8:00 – Keynote Address: “Science With Sophie: One Woman’s Approach to Changing the World,“ Sophie Shrand, Scientist and Performing Artist

For a preview of Sophie Schrand, watch this video:

Informational Tables for Networking with Community Partners:

• Imerman Angels
• American Brain Tumor Association
• Chicago Cancer Health Equity Collaborative
• Amber Coalition (Polish-American Breast Cancer Awareness Program)

Reserve your seat below:

(To open RSVP form in your browser, click here: https://goo.gl/forms/9tRQSYm41JumJnm63)

The conference is free and open to the public. For additional information, please contact [email protected]