November 18, 2010 | The Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) is a national society that fosters the success of minority scientists and students and seeks to improve and expand opportunities for minorities in the scientific workforce and academia. This fall, SACNAS spon

sored a conference in Anaheim, California, entitled “Science, Technology, and Diversity for a Sustainable Future.” I consider myself fortunate to have attended this national forum, which explored the world of sustainability research including environmental stewardship and human service.

I've been involved with NCAR’s excellent participation-broadening undergraduate-to-graduate bridge program, SOARS, for over a decade and always heard good things about SACNAS from students. I discovered that SACNAS meetings are unusual scientific conferences in that they are extremely welcoming to students. I attended as a mentor and student-presentation judge, and from the first orientation session it was clear that we were supposed to be there for the students. We were instructed to strike up informal mentoring conversations during the surprisingly-tasty breakfasts, lunches, and dinners (all included!), in the hallways, after talks, or wherever else we came across students. I interacted with I-don't-know-how-many students who were excited about science. Talk about fun! Furthermore, the SACNAS conference is the only scientific meeting I know of which features a ¡Pachanga! dance and a pow wow.   

Of course, the conference had a number of very interesting scientific symposia in all disciplines. In particular, I enjoyed  “Mathematical Modeling in Climate, Biological Systems, and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics” and “Adapting to (and Surviving) a Changing Climate.” The meeting showcased the work of undergraduate and graduate students in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, environmental science, geoscience, mathematics, physics, polar science, and social/behavioral science. I had the honor of judging several diverse student posters and presentations, including “Watershed Run-Off and the Effect on Acequias,” “Building a Satellite-Tracking Telescope System for Daytime and Nighttime Observation,”  “Eddy Correlation Accuracy in the Presence of a Seafloor Lander Framework,” and “Location of the Antarctic Polar Front from 4 km Satellite Sea Surface Temperature Measurements.”

The conference had inspiring keynote speeches such as “Earth—The Operator's Manual,” by Richard Alley (Penn State) and Kobie Boykins (NASA Jet Propulsion Lab), and “Different Scientists, Different Science, and the Coming Age of Efflorescence,” by USGS research scientist Margaret Hiza Redsteer. There was a huge number of professional development seminars, from “Creating a Winning Resume” and “The Art and Science of Effective Communication” all the way to “Fellowships and Opportunities for a Successful Postdoctoral Experience.” The meeting also included a giant exhibition hall featuring booths of potential employers, graduate schools, and graduate and undergraduate research programs. In short, the SACNAS exhibition hall is chock full of life-altering opportunities.

What does all this mean for you? If you know any Hispanics/Chicanos or Native Americans interested in science, tell them about SACNAS. If you are a Hispanic/Chicano or Native American scientist or student, I strongly urge you to consider joining SACNAS. New doctorate degree recipients are eligible to receive a free one-year SACNAS membership. I furthermore urge all scientists to consider being mentors and/or judges at the next SACNAS annual conference. This year there were almost 900 student presentations; SACNAS needs judges. There are also professional opportunities in the arena of abstract review prior to conference and in the scientific symposia. If you are a student studying science, I recommend you attend the next SACNAS conference, “Empowering Innovation and Synergy through Diversity,” in October 2011 in San Jose, California. It's truly a unique learning experience. Present a poster or a talk. Mix. Mingle. Meet new friends and colleagues. Network. Learn. Have fun. I know I did.  

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