The Society for the Advancement Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) held their 43rd Annual Conference October 13–15 in Long Beach, California. The conference attracted over 4,000 undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The conference theme was “STEM Diversity & Public Understanding” and this was echoed throughout all of the conference programming that included scientific presentations, professional development sessions, cultural activities, and featured keynotes from prominent leaders in STEM across academia, government, policy, and industry.
The Society of Toxicology (SOT) was among the exhibitors at this meeting with a booth organized by the Committee on Diversity Initiatives (CDI). At the SOT booth, I discussed research interests and careers paths in toxicology with attendees. Students learned about the many undergraduate opportunities available through SOT, such as the Undergraduate Diversity Program and the option to become an SOT Undergraduate Student Affiliate. Above is a photo of me in the SOT Booth at SACNAS.
Students who visited our booth were equal parts those that were extremely interested in toxicology and SOT and those who had never heard of toxicology before. Many students expressed an interest in environmental, neuro, and forensic toxicology.