Melissa Flagg to headline 2016 Women in STEMM Leadership Institute Research Symposium at Wright State

Melissa L. Flagg, deputy assistant secretary of defense for research, will give the keynote address at the Women in STEMM Leadership Institute Research Symposium on Oct. 21. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army)

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research Melissa Flagg will headline this year’s Women in STEMM Leadership Institute Research Symposium at Wright State University.

The unique event highlights the work being done by women in STEMM across the Dayton region.

Flagg will be a keynote speaker at the Oct. 21 symposium, which will be held at Wright State’s Student Success Center from 1 to 5 p.m. Flagg’s remarks will begin at approximately 1:15 p.m.

Admission is $5 and is open to the public. All genders are welcome to attend.

Flagg is responsible for policy and oversight of the Pentagon’s science and technology programs, from basic research through advanced technology development. She also oversees Defense Department laboratories and the development of technologies needed for continued superiority of U.S. forces.

The Women in STEMM Leadership Institute is a collaboration between the College of Science and Mathematics, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). The symposium also received grant funding from Wright-Patt Credit Union, the official financial institution for the Wright State community.

“Dr. Flagg is an exciting speaker and an outstanding role model for both students and STEMM professionals,” said Kathrin Engisch, interim dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, the symposium’s organizer. “We are thrilled that our on-going collaboration with AFRL and AFIT resulted in Dr. Flagg’s participation.”

Other keynote speakers include Ayse A. Sahin, professor and chair of mathematics and statistics at Wright State, and Revonna Smith, an anesthesiologist at Kettering Anesthesia Associates and founder and CEO of SafeCare Tools.

The institute is geared toward female Wright State students interested in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine) and female STEMM professionals. The institute also actively engages female high school students interested in STEMM.

“Our overall goal is to increase the number of women in the STEMM workforce and to enhance the work environment for women,” said Engisch. “As we showcase the outstanding basic and applied research being done by female students and professionals in STEMM, we empower and equip women to envision how they can be a part of the amazing work being done by women and men every day in STEMM disciplines.”

The symposium is a powerful example of how Wright State and colleagues from the AFRL and AFIT engage students and prominent STEMM leaders from industry and government with career and professional development opportunities.

After the three speakers, there will be a reception featuring STEMM posters produced by women.

And immediately preceding the symposium, a speed-mentoring event will pair female Wright State students with STEMM professionals from Wright State and the AFRL in preparation for a year-long series of mentoring-related activities.

“I hope those attending the symposium see how many women are doing exceptional work as STEMM professionals, as well as how great in quality we are,” said Engisch. “We want students to be part of the vibrant STEMM community we have in this region. Everyone is welcome to attend, and we hope the broader community will come.”

Register for the symposium online.

Submit a poster on the symposium website.