STEMCAST with Dr. Reagan Flowers

Sunni Markowitz is a community leader and volunteer, academic researcher or mother, Sunni's career has been defined by a singular commitment to children. She is the founder and Executive Director of Camp Lantern Creek. In this episode we discuss:

• The importance of selecting an accredited camp for your child/children.
• The inspiration of creating a sleep away camp.
• Knowing your mission as a parent.

Contact Sunni:

• Camp Lantern Creek

Contact CSTEM:

• Donate to CSTEM
• CSTEM.org
• Annual Report

Kelly Hess is the president and CEO of CompuCycle. CompuCycle provides strong environmental standards which maximize reuse and recycling, minimize exposure to human health or the environment, ensure safe management of materials by downstream handlers, and require destruction of all data on used electronics.

In this episode we discuss:

• Becoming Houston's first Responsible Recycling (R2) Certified company.
• The importance of recycling electronics properly.
• Creating balance as a woman-owned small business.

Kelly Hess Info:

• CompuCycle Website
• Kelly Hess LinkedIn

For more information visit https://www.cstem.org.

Contact:

• Donate to CSTEM
• CSTEM.org
• Annual Report

Zawadi Bryant as Chief Executive Officer for NightLight brings a wealth of business marketing and quality improvement experience. She is a graduate of Cornell University with a master's degree in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering and an MBA in Operations Management. Ms. Bryant has been recognized by Black Engineer Magazine as one of the Top 30 Black Engineers under 30, and a recognized leader in business and process improvement. In this episode we discuss:

• Zawadi's career transition from engineering to NightLight Pediatrics.
• Becoming a pioneer within the healthcare industry.
• The collaborative efforts of women helping move her business forward.

For more information visit https://www.cstem.org.

Contact:

• Donate to CSTEM
• CSTEM.org
• Annual Report

Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner manages the FBI's Houston Division.

Mr. Turner became a special agent with the FBI in 1991 and was assigned to the Birmingham Division, where he worked criminal investigative matters in the Huntsville Resident Agency. Four years later, he transferred to the New Orleans Division and investigated gang, drug, and public corruption matters in the Monroe Resident Agency.

In 1999, Mr. Turner was promoted to supervisory special agent in the Criminal Investigation Division at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. While there, he worked in the Mexican/Criminal Syndicates Unit of the Drug Section.

Mr. Turner transferred to the Jackson Division in 2001 to supervise the Criminal Enterprise Squad. In August 2004, he worked in the division's Field Intelligence Group. A year later, he was promoted to assistant special agent in charge in the Memphis Division and managed the Criminal and Administrative Programs for three years and all programs in the National Security Branch for two years.

In August 2010, Mr. Turner returned to FBI Headquarters as deputy assistant director of the Information Technology Engineering Division. He also served as special agent in charge of the Louisville Division.

Mr. Turner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and statistics from Louisiana Tech University and a Master of Business Administration from Belhaven University.

In this episode we discuss:

• Making the pivot from a career in insurance to working with the FBI for 27 years.
• The methods the FBI uses to manage community outreach and social media.
• Properly leveraging data and technology to keep up with cyber threats to protect citizens.

For more information visit https://www.cstem.org.

Contact:

• Donate to CSTEM
• CSTEM.org
• Annual Report

William 'Jack' Jackson is a senior consultant with SafeStart who helps companies on creating a safe working environment for employees. Jack's career has included working in production, operations and safety at Johnson Controls for 19 years, followed by seeing Avanzar Interior Technologies through the safety phase of new construction. In addition to developing a safety program, he also developed a conditioning program to prepare team members to become industrial athletes.Coach Jack worked with two semi-professional football teams for 6 years and was named NAFL defensive coordinator of the year. Jack used his experience to develop a safety concept that teaches participants of his courses that "safety is always first."

In this episode we discuss:

• The four techniques to reduce critical errors.
• Recognizing patterns that will allow us to be proactive versus reactive.
• Creating a safe workplace culture starting with leadership.

For more information visit https://www.cstem.org.

Contact:

• Donate to CSTEM
• CSTEM.org
• Annual Report

Alan Spreckley has worked for ABB since September 2003 and currently holds the position of Global Industry Segment Manager RMRO, for Food & Beverage and Consumer Packed Goods with responsibility for the sales and implementation of robotic automation within food, beverage and personal care application areas. Alan also has responsibility for the segment strategy ensuring that ABB remain in the forefront for robotic automation within these key industries.

He is also a guest lecturer on robotics at a number of Universities, primarily the University of Manchester (UK) where he has lectured for the last 7 years.

In this episode we discuss:

• The evolvement from the first robot in the food and beverage industry to modern technology.
• Understanding how robots and humans can work in collaborative space.
• The process of developing a robotics system.

For more information visit https://www.cstem.org.

Contact:

• Donate to CSTEM
• CSTEM.org
• Annual Report

Yolanda Vallier founded Interim Capital Lending Solutions to bring education, experience and resources to the business community. With over 10 years experience as a licensed Business banker, she has facilitated hundreds of commercial loans helping business owners across the country get access to working capital. Vallier is an experienced Realtor and FINRA Registered Agent with a wealth of knowledge in understanding the financial dynamics of acquiring commercial capital and assets.

In this episode we discuss:

• Helping small business owners can find and qualify for loan programs.
• Putting yourself in position for a capital injection and managing revenue.
• Assisting small business owners during the loan process.

For more information visit https://www.cstem.org.

Contact:

• Donate to CSTEM
• CSTEM.org
• Annual Report

Dr. Havasy has been a scientist, educator, and not-for-profit business executive for over 20 years. She received her Bachelor's Degrees in zoology and education from Connecticut College and Davis and Elkins College, and her Masters and Doctorate Degrees in biology and education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She was a science teacher, a district wide science coordinator, and a middle school principal. She is a founder and President of The Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL), a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging people in science learning. CSTL has done projects for NBC News, Department of Energy, Dow, National Science Foundation, and many more corporations and agencies. CSTL also administers the Clean Tech Competition, the only global, theme based STEM competition for secondary students. In this episode we discuss:

• The global impact of STEM among students.
• Creating student innovation through the Clean Tech Competition.
• The influence of Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park that lead to an international tour.

For more information visit https://www.cstl.org.

Contact:

• Donate to CSTEM
• CSTEM.org
• Annual Report

Angela Barrow is the Manager of Corporate Emergency Preparedness and Response at Chevron. She has more than 20 years of Crisis and Emergency Management experience and currently has oversite of the Emergency Management Program and Regional Advisors, whose core responsibilities span the globe to support the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Eurasia, Middle East and Africa regions, delivering support for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Crisis Management, and Business Continuity. She also serves on Chevron's World-wide Emergency Response Team.

In this episode we discuss:

• The importance of technical competencies on education and career development.
• Tips on starting a career in crisis and emergency management.
• The rise of women in crisis and emergency management.

Contact:

• Donate to CSTEM
• CSTEM.org
• Annual Report

Maya Ajmera is the President and CEO of Society for Science & the Public (SSP) and Publisher of its award-winning magazine Science News and its family of media properties. Founded in 1921, SSP works to promote the understanding and appreciation of science, and the vital role it plays in human advancement. It is best known for its world-class science competitions including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and Broadcom MASTERS. Maya is an alumna of the Westinghouse Science Talent Search which now sponsored by Regeneron. In this episode we discuss:

• The components needed for a successful organization.
• Launching The Advocate program to encourage students to compete in science competitions.
• Establishing organic collaborative partnerships.

Contact:

• Donate to CSTEM
• CSTEM.org
• Annual Report