OUR IMPACT
CONFERENCE
Before Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz delivered his keynote address at 2015 SACNAS – The National Diversity in STEM Conference, he tweeted, “Diversity in #STEM is an imperative. We must do more to expand opportunity for underserved communities. #SACNAS2015”
During his speech, Secretary Moniz echoed our message to federal agencies and the nation: We must draw on the entire STEM talent pool. Groups most underrepresented in STEM are also the fastest growing populations in the U.S.
The SACNAS conference and year-round programs work to support and train the next generation of STEM leaders.
Watch 2015 SACNAS conference highlights
Dr. Moniz received an honor blanket from SACNAS board members Dr. Allyn Kaufmann (Quapaw/Pawnee) and Dr. Ahna Skop (Eastern Band of Cherokee).
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Dr. Sonia Zarate was ready to take her career to the next level. In 2013, she participated in the annual Linton-Poodry SACNAS Leadership Institute: a training program for underrepresented, PhD-level scientists. Three years later, Zarate participated in the inaugural SACNAS – Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Advanced Leadership Institute (ALI), which prepares mid-career professionals for expanded STEM leadership roles.
Energized and supported by the network and toolkit she built through SACNAS leadership programs, Zarate is now a newly appointed program officer for undergraduate and graduate science education at HHMI and a SACNAS board member.
Learn about our leadership programs
“We need mentors: someone to be at our side, tell us about that job opportunity, promote us, and be a part of our network” – Dr. Sonia Zarate (second row, third from right) pictured with the inaugural ALI cohort.
REGIONAL EVENTS
From New England, to Chicago, to California, SACNAS chapters hosted regional events that featured scientific research presentations and professional development activities.
The UCLA SACNAS chapter hosted their second Student Chapter Leadership Institute for students across Southern California. The institute and other regional events laid the groundwork for underrepresented students to foster community, develop leadership skills, and build a space to discuss chapter development.
View pictures from the California & New England events:
CaliforniaNew England
“Together, all of the chapters are making tremendous strides to get STEM one step closer to true diversity.” Robert Naranjo, UCLA SACNAS Chapter President with institute participant Khala Harvey from Los Angeles City College.
OUR SACNISTAS
PROFESSIONALS
Dr. Marina Suarez has a dinosaur named after her. She and her twin sister, also a paleontologist, discovered a new species in Utah that was dubbed Geminiraptor suaresarum. In the spring of 2016, Marina received a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award. It includes a nearly $500K grant to support her research on Cretaceous rocks around the world, which she hopes will advance climate-change studies.
Suarez says, “The networking and professional development that occurs with being a member of SACNAS has certainly been a factor in my career success.”
Read more about Dr. Suarez’s award
“At SACNAS, I have gotten to interact with program officers from NSF. It gave me confidence and comfort, which is important when preparing a proposal.”
STUDENTS
¡FELICIDADES! We are so proud of all our SACNISTAS from the class of 2016, including Alec Calac (Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians). Alec graduated with a double major in neuroscience & cognitive science and molecular & cellular biology from the University of Arizona where he also served as the SACNAS chapter president.
Supported by the power of his SACNISTA networks, Alec’s sights are set on a medical-scientist training program. In the meantime, he has a post-baccalaureate fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. We are honored to be part of Alec’s story.
Celebrate our class of 2016 graduates!
“SACNAS has been a stepping stone for many opportunities that I was able to be a part of during my undergraduate studies. At the national level, I have been able to network with countless professionals and like-minded individuals in the field of neuroscience.”
VOLUNTEERS
“It’s a privilege, honor, and duty to serve on the board of directors,” said Dr. Gabriel Montaño, president (2015 – 2016) of our national 13-member volunteer board. In addition to the many hours of board service, we estimate our members collectively give nearly 7,000 hours of their time each year. Volunteers serve on programmatic task forces, working to select conference sessions, review abstracts and travel scholarship applications, mentor students and young professionals, support chapters, and much more. Dedicated volunteers are essential in sustaining the impact of SACNAS programs.
Take a look at our upcoming volunteer opportunities at 2017 SACNAS.
“…I’ve benefited greatly from being part of SACNAS for many years…. I feel that it is my responsibility to give back in any way that I can.” – Dr. Gabriel Montaño
BY THE NUMBERS
2015 SACNAS CONFERENCE NUMBERS
3,746 Attendees
865 Student research presentations
231 Student presentation judges
102 Student presentation awards
569 Travel scholarship recipients
2015 Linton–Poodry SACNAS Leadership Institute
With our Linton–Poodry SACNAS Leadership Institute (LPSLI), SACNAS has trained a cohort of 30 PhD-level scientists each year since 2009, creating the largest cohort of emerging STEM leaders of color in the country.
As of 2016, we have 239 graduates of the LPSLI.
SACNAS Chapters
Student chapters give back to our communities through mentorship, building peer networks, creating professional development opportunities, and supporting each other in STEM research.
In the spring of 2016, Sofia Romero and Jesse Cisneros of the UC Santa Cruz chapter led a strawberry DNA extraction activity at a local museum. Growing up, Sofia was sure that “scientists were all privileged, white, and male.” The work of SACNAS chapters nationwide ensures that scientists of color become more visible.
FINANCIALS
Fiscal Year 2015 – 2016 Revenue & Support
Listed by type
| Government Grants | $1,628,685 |
| Contributions | $92,633 |
| Conference Sponsorships | $704,730 |
| Conference Registration | $911,240 |
| Conference Exhibition | $637,375 |
| Conference Advertising | $20,350 |
| Dues and Memberships | $77,250 |
| Underwriting and Other Income | $219,508 |
| In-Kind Revenue | – |
| Interest and Dividend Income | $1,145 |
| Net Assets Released From Restrictions | – |
| Total Expenses | $4,292,916 |