Dear College of Science Faculty and Staff,
The movie Don’t Look Up (Netflix) is an allegory, a hilarious, sobering commentary on science and politics. It involves a comet, and (spoiler) it has a funny although not happy ending. I would highly recommend, although you may throw your hands up in despair.
Don’t Look Up reminds us that science is about exploration, discovery and understanding. And that what happens after can be complex. Almost all science discoveries lead to crucial application and outcomes, but there are often hundreds of thousands of research hours involved. The thrill of finding out something new is possibly unparalleled. Research is how we do it. And research is a huge part of educating the next generation of science professionals. Our undergraduates learn the fascinating stories of science in lecture. And students learn from hands-in labs, co-op and research opportunities how to ask questions and test theories, how to listen to data, how to step along the way to new discoveries.
This week I attended presentations by our amazing COS Research Scholars, who are working within a program for first year COS majors created by Assistant Dean Rachelle Reisberg and her group, Associate Director Linda Ayrapetov and Program Coordinator Fabiola Meyer Garza, all in the team of Senior Associate Dean Brent Nelson. The Scholars have spent the academic year in research groups of our faculty: thank you! to faculty mentors Iris Berent, Jonathan Blazek, Juliet Davidow, Craig Ferris, David Kimbro, Vaso Lykourinou, James Monaghan, Carla Mattos, Aron Stubbins and Geoff Trussell. The Scholars have explored and had their hands deep in research. And they have learned a huge amount! This is a brilliant program! Congratulations to everyone, thank you!
Next week we will honor students who are Entrepreneurship Leaders, in a new program organized by the Undergraduate team, and recipients of the Advancing Women in Science Award led by Associate Dean Randall Hughes. This summer we are starting the Dean’s Undergraduate Research Awards, to allow ten COS students the opportunity to work in a Northeastern COS research group. These latter initiatives are supported by our wonderful and hugely valued alumni, families, friends and members! Thank you! Thank you to Director Veronica Jorge-Curtis, Jeremy Brick and Sarra Sundstrom of our advancement team.
We have many COS Awards for which you are eligible! Please nominate a valued colleague or yourself! Thank you for all your work that promotes the Good Power of Science.
Warm wishes to everyone.