American health editor
More than 300 attendees recently celebrated the 2008 Blacks in Science Awards Dinner at the St. Louis Science Center. In addition to acknowledging the accomplishments of African Americans in St. Louis in the fields of science, engineering, and math, the annual event exposes minority and disadvantaged youth to African-American math and science professionals.
This year’s event honored three achievers: Dr. Samuel Achilefu, professor of radiology at Washington University School of Medicine, Dr. Terrence Freeman, professor of mechanical engineering at St. Louis Community College, and Dr. Octavia Peck-Palmer, chief fellow of clinical chemistry at Washington University School of Medicine.
Achilefu is using ordinary light for amazing medicine. “We are trying to harness the power of light to solve a lot of medical problems,” Achilefu said.
Freeman talked about challenges in engineering, technology and global preparation and knowledge. He said it is an area where young people can make a difference. “Engineering is an area of creativity that gives someone the opportunity to change the world around them,” Freeman said.
Peck-Palmer works with body fluids to determine what is going on with a patient. She calls her work a science project every day. To youth, she advised, “Plan to succeed and take ownership of your future” and “don’t limit yourself to only things you have seen.”
Though African Americans represent about 13 percent of the U.S. workforce, they occupy only five percent of jobs in areas which require a technical background such as engineering, computer science, and research fields that offer secure and sustainable high-income employment. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, black undergraduates are significantly less likely than whites to major in engineering, biological sciences, or physical sciences, and more likely to major in the social sciences or the humanities.
The Blacks in Science initiative is a collaborative effort between the Forest Park Southeast Development Corporation (FPSDC) and the Saint Louis Science Center. “Our goal is to expose young people to the importance of science, provide the resources for them to explore science and empower them to pursue careers in science and math,” said Irving Blue, executive director of FPSDC.
A dynamic and inspiring keynote address was delivered by Toni Hoover, PhD, senior vice president and director for Pfizer Global Research and Development Groton/New London Laboratories. Hoover encouraged the attendees, particularly the students, to add excellence to their goals. She mentioned that Europe, China, India send more children to college in the U.S. to major in science, math and technology.
“It will help elevate the economic situation in their country. They are truly focused on the needs of the 21st century,” Hoover said.
“Students should explore all that science and technology have to offer.”
Hoover is a senior leader responsible for creating the environment necessary to achieve Pfizer’s mission of discovering and developing new medications to meet unmet medical needs. She also serves as an executive sponsor for both African-American and women’s networking groups within Pfizer.
The Blacks in Science project is working to demystify science and technology and eliminate the stigma preventing blacks from embracing science as an interest and ultimately as a career. The organization believes that the next generation of African Americans must be educated about the existing opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The program serves to expose African-American and disadvantaged youth to the wonders of science, as well as provide available funding sources to alleviate some of the economic burdens of pursuing science-related academia and careers.
Arnold W. Donald, who recently retired as president and CEO of Juvenile