The Albert Dorman Colloquium Series

11:00am - 12:20pm | Join the Virtual Webex Event

“The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man's Love Affair with Nature”​

Speaker: Joseph Drew Lanham

Joseph Drew Lanham is an American author, poet and wildlife biologist. Raised in Edgefield, South Carolina, Lanham studied zoology and ecology at Clemson University, where he earned a PhD in 1997 and where he currently holds an endowed chair as an Alumni Distinguished Professor.

Dr. Lanham will discuss his work “The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man's Love Affair with Nature”, the Honors 2020 summer reading assignment.

*This colloquium is mandatory for all first-year seminar students to attend

11:00am - 12:20pm | Join the Webex Virtual Event

Using Design Thinking to Address Information Gaps

Speaker: Dr. Michael J. Lee, Honors Faculty Fellow

Dr. Michael J. Lee is the Dorman-Bloom Assistant Professor of Informatics at NJIT, where he directs the Gidget Lab. His work focuses on increasing diversity and representation in computing, as well as designing, creating, and testing technology-focused educational tools. Dr. Lee's research in computing education is funded by the National Science Foundation, NJ Department of Education, and Oculus Research. He has published more than 30 research articles, several of which have received best paper awards. He holds a PhD in Information Science from the University of Washington, a master’s degree from UC Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree from UC San Diego.

This colloquium will give an overview on the ideas, theories, and exercises regarding design thinking and how we may use it to address issues arising from information gaps. Design Thinking revolves around a deep interest in developing an understanding of the people for whom we are designing products or services. It helps us observe and develop empathy with the target user through a highly iterative process. Using this technique, we can challenge assumptions and redefine problems in an attempt to identify alternative strategies and solutions that might not be instantly apparent with our initial level of understanding.

Information Gaps are ideas, information, or knowledge that someone is missing to complete a task. Sometimes, someone may know they are lacking information, but at other times, a person might be completely unaware they are missing something. How can we begin to think about information gaps, how to identify them, and begin to address them using design thinking?

5:30pm - 6:30pm | Register Here

Power + Place;  Extroverted Urbanism

Speaker: Bryan C. Lee, Jr., ’08, Colloqate Design​

Bryan Lee is the Design Principal of Colloqate and a national Design Justice Advocate. Lee has a decade of experience in the field of architecture Lee is the founding organizer of the Design Justice Platform and organized the Design As Protest National Day of Action.

RESPONSIBILITY 
How does architecture/design respond and what is the architect/designer’s responsibility? The world is facing unprecedented challenges: an ongoing pandemic, structural racism, global warming, political instability, and increasing economic inequality. The Fall 2020 Lecture Series will probe how architecture and design has contributed to these conditions, question architectures’ and designs’ ability to respond, and explore different models of professional responsibility. 

4:30pm - 6:30pm | RSVP/Register to Receive Link Here

25th Anniversary of the Albert Dorman Honors College

2020 marks the 25th Anniversary of the Albert Dorman Honors College.  When the Honors Program became a full College, it was named after our benefactor, Albert Dorman. ’45, Ph.D. ’99 (Hon).  We will be celebrating this milestone with a series of special alumni events on October 9, 2020. 

We hope you'll work with us to make the Albert Dorman Honors College’s 25th Anniversary a success for all who have played a vital part in its great history — Dr. Albert Dorman, Dr. Bloom, Board of Visitor members, our hard-working students — and you, our distinguished alumni!     

2:30pm- 4:00pm | Join the Webex Virtual Event

Mechanics of Materials

Speaker: Shawn Chester, Honors Faculty Fellow

Shawn Chester is currently an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Shawn was previously a postdoctoral researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.  Prior to that he obtained his PhD in solid mechanics from the Mechanical Engineering at MIT, and obtained both his BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from NJIT.Shawn's research focus in the past few years has been the development of experimentally validated continuum level constitutive theories for large-deformation multiphysics behavior of polymeric materials and the associated numerical implementation.  His work spans most aspects of mechanics; experimental characterization, theoretical modeling, numerical implementation, and experimental validation.  Shawn has been recognized by young investigator awards through an NSF CAREER, and an ASME award.

This presentation will give an overview of MEC305: This course introduces the mechanical behavior of engineering materials and the physical mechanisms that govern their deformation and failure. Major topics: elasticity, viscoelasticity, plasticity, hyperelasticity, fatigue, and fracture. In class experimental demonstrations are conducted to validate the theoretical ideas discussed in the lecture and their application to practical problems.

4:00pm - 5:20pm | Join the Webex Virtual Event

Food for a Hot Planet

Speaker: Dr. Maria Stanko, Honors Faculty Fellow

Maria L. Stanko, PhD, is an ecologist and a Senior University Lecturer in the Dept. of Biological Sciences at NJIT, where she focuses on curriculum development and undergraduate teaching.  She teaches a variety of courses across many scales of biology in interdisciplinary, experience-based, and student-centered courses.

This presentation will give an overview of BIOL 498: Food for a Hot Planet, where students will investigate the intersections between climate change and food through a survey of scientific and popular literature, including “Diet for a Hot Planet” by Anna Lappé and the World Resources Report “Creating a Sustainable Food Future.” Informed by those discussions, students work throughout the course to predict how climate change will influence how and what we eat and plan an educational meal highlighting those predictions and sharing what they’ve learned with the campus community.

2:30pm - 4:00pm | Join the Webex Virtual Event

Making Babies, Making Miscarriages: Ultrasound, Home Pregnancy Testing, and Early Pregnancy Loss

Speaker: Dr. Lara Freidenfelds

Lara Freidenfelds is the author of The Myth of the Perfect Pregnancy: A History of Miscarriage in America and The Modern Period: Menstruation in Twentieth-Century America. She is a regular contributor to the peer-reviewed blog Nursing Clio and has written on miscarriage for the Washington Post. She holds a Ph.D. in history of science and an A.B. in anthropology from Harvard University, and works as an independent scholar affiliated with the Princeton Research Forum.

Historical transformations in the experience of pregnancy over the past two centuries have made early pregnancies losses more emotionally fraught today than they were in the past. This talk examines the role of technology in this transformation, in particular, how the rituals we have developed around obstetric ultrasound and home pregnancy tests serve to make the baby “real” and encourage bonding earlier and earlier in pregnancy, at a stage when many pregnancies are destined to miscarry.

2:30pm- 3:30pm | Register for the Virtual Event Here

Recognizing and Responding to Bias and Microagressions

Speaker: Colleen Lewis

Colleen Lewis is a top researcher in United States in computer science education for women and minorities. Assistant professor of computer science at The University of Illinois Urbanan-Champaign. Her research seeks to identify and remove barriers to CS learning and understanding and optimize CS learning. 

Have you ever frozen- not knowing what to say when you heard a comment or question about diversity? We will play a research-based game to practice recognizing and responding to bias. The game invites players to respond to challenging scenarios related to subtle bias. We'll use breakout rooms to have players discuss how they would respond. 

Recommended for Women With STEAM scholars

11:00am - 12:20pm | Join the Webex Virtual Event

CLIMATE NOW!

Speakers: DR BEN SANTER, internationally-known climate scientist and MacArthur Fellowship winner—lead author of the break-through IPCC report that first demonstrated human responsibility for global climate change.

DR NEIL MAHER, NJIT-Rutgers History Department, award-winning author of Nature’s New Deal—expert on environmental inequality in America.

Climate Now—Finding Hope in Change: This event will discuss strategies for inspiring community action on climate change and environmental disruption. 

4:00pm - 5:20pm | Register Here

Stryker Showcase: Innovation in Healthcare

Speaker: Mr. Robert Cohen currently holds the position of President of Stryker’s Digital, Robotics, and Enabling Technologies. He has worked in the medical device industry for over thirty-five years. Mr Cohen has focused on innovation that can improve patient outcomes and has managed R&D, manufacturing, regulatory, clinical research, quality and marketing functions. Prior to his current position, Mr. Cohen served as the Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for the Joint replacement division since rejoining Stryker in 2013 as part of the Mako acquisition. Prior to this, he held the position of Senior Vice President, Clinical and Market Development, for MAKO Surgical Corp., an orthopedic robotics company, as well as having the role of General Manager of their New Jersey implant R&D and additive-manufacturing facility. From 2007 until MAKO’s purchase of Pipeline Biomedical, a company founded by Mr. Cohen, he served as its Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of R&D. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Product Development for Implex Corp, a developer of advanced joint replacement and spinal implants fabricated from a novel porous metal biomaterial trademarked as Trabecular Metal. Following the acquisition of Implex Corp by Zimmer Inc, a large manufacturer and supplier of orthopedic implants in 2004, Mr. Cohen served as Zimmer’s General Manager of their New Jersey Engineering and manufacturing operations through 2006. From 1984 to 1992, he held various engineering positions at Stryker’s joint replacement division Osteonics, including Director of Product Development. Mr. Cohen has over 25 patents and  speaks globally at medical education conferences. He also serves on numerous boards and is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, a leading US polytechnic university with over 12,000 students. Mr. Cohen has been inducted as a Fellow to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. Mr. Cohen has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering Management, all from New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Please join this event to learn more about Stryker, Career Opportunities and hear from a diverse NJIT Alumni Panel.

Our keynote speaker, Robert Cohen, President, Digital, Robotics, and Enabling Technologies, and Chair of the NJIT Board of Trustees,  will speak on his Career Progression in the Medical Device Industry and dive deeper into the world of 3D printing and Robotics.  Wondering what the industry looks like, or what career paths are available based on your major? Stryker's alumni panel will highlight their journey, reflections, and best practices that have proven to be effective in the Workforce.

2:30pm - 4:00pm | Register for the Event Here

Giving Back While Moving Forward: Strategies for Integrating Action for Equity and Inclusion into Your Computing Career

Speaker: Dr.  Jamie Payton

Jamie Payton is Chair of the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at Temple University. Her research interests include broadening participation in computing, and evidence-based approaches to improving computer science education. She is the Director of the STARS Computing Corps, a national alliance of over 50 colleges and universities with the mission of broadening participation of underrepresented groups in computing; since 2006, STARS has engaged over 2500 college students in near-peer outreach projects, providing computer science learning opportunities to over 140,000 K12 students. As a co-founder of the International Conference on Research on Equity and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology (RESPECT), Payton has helped to establish a scholarly venue for researchers in computer science, education, learning sciences, gender studies, sociology, and related fields. Payton is also a founding member of the Connected Learner project.

Eliminating barriers to equitable and authentic participation in our emerging tech-enabled society, particularly those from groups that have been historically marginalized in computing, is an issue of social justice. All who study and work in the discipline of computing can contribute to creating a more inclusive computing community. In this talk, I will describe the STARS Computing Corps approach to providing training, resources, and support for college students and faculty to act as change agents who take action for diversity, equity, and inclusion in computing. Through STARS, faculty support college student cohorts in leading service-learning activities designed to broaden participation in computing. Exemplary STARS projects include peer mentoring, peer tutoring, socially relevant research opportunities, and working with K12 educators to support CS for All efforts. STARS students show increased self-efficacy, with disproportionately positive effects for Black and Hispanic students. I'll share resources that lower the barriers for students to engage in outreach and research for broadening participation in computing.

Presented by Graduate Women in Computing Society (GWiCS) in association with WiCS, CS Department and ACM-w

This colloquium fulfills the City Leadership and Civic Engagement colloquium requirement.

Recommended for Women With STEAM scholars.

11:00am - 12:20pm | Join the Webex Virtual Event

Decision Fusion and Its Applications (or: how to decide that a tomato in the field is ripe)

Speaker: Moshe Kam, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Moshe Kam is Professor and Dean at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He is a graduate of Tel Aviv University (B.S., Electrical Engineering, 1976), and Drexel University (M.S., Electrical Engineering, 1985; Ph.D., 1987). Prior to joining NJIT in 2014, he was a Professor and then Department Head at the ECE Department of Drexel University (1987-2014). He studies distributed detection and decision/data fusion, with applications in navigation, image processing, and biomedical imaging.

The presentation will introduce Decision Fusion – the process of integrating a large number of observations and local decisions about a phenomenon studied simultaneously by a number of sensors operating independently. I will also show applications of decision fusion algorithms – from deciding when tomatoes in the field are ripe to deciding if the user of a smart phone is its rightful owner. We will review decision fusion architectures, state some of the design and research challenges that they offer, and show what was already solved and what is still under study. Specifically, I will speak about several design and performance problems that are still open – perhaps a student or students in the audience will be interested in working on a solution.

11:00am - 12:20pm | Join the Webex Virtual Event (Link to Come)

MAKE101 - Makerspace Training through NCE

Speaker: Justin Suriano

Justin Suriano is the manager of the New Jersey Institute of Technology’s academic Makerspace, which opened in 2018. Prior to managing the NJIT Makerspace, Mr. Suriano could be found on the sets of major motion pictures and television shows in Los Angeles, working as a set lighting technician. He returned to school in the summer of 2014 for a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, completing this degree at NJIT in May of 2018. While managing NJIT’s Makerspace, Mr. Suriano is pursuing a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, with a thesis focused on metal additive manufacturing.

2:30pm - 4:00pm | Join the Webex Virtual Event (Link to Come)

City Leadership Through the Urban League

Speaker: Darrin Sharif

Darrin Sharif has held a number of positions in the public and private sector. He developed detailed knowledge of computers and technology after holding positions at the Summit Medical Group as a Computer Network Technician and as a Computer Software Trainer at New Horizons. His knowledge of nonprofit management and program design came after serving as the Director of Operations for the Urban League of Essex County. Darrin was introduced to local government serving as the Chief of Staff to the current United States Senator Cory A. Booker when Senator Booker served on the Newark Municipal Council from the Central Ward. Darrin would follow in Senator Booker’s footsteps by also representing the Central Ward.

This event will discuss Darrin Sharif's work with Newark Kids Code, citizenship, and his thoughts on being a leader in the community, and in an organization. The national outcry regarding the Civil Rights in the United States will also be discussed in conjuncture with his work. 

This colloquium will apply the the Honors Civic Engagement track.