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Ecosystem News

🍕 Faculty Lunches Are Back—Join Us Every Wednesday!

We know—Covid changed our routines. But it’s time to bring back something we’ve all missed: shared faculty lunches! 🎉

Why eat alone at your desk when you can join us for good food and even better company? Starting now and continuing through the end of 2024, we’re hosting Faculty Lunches every Wednesdayfrom 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM on the 12th floor of 370 Jay Street.

Make Wednesdays something to look forward to—whether you come for the food, the camaraderie, or simply to take a break. Let’s rebuild connections, share ideas, and celebrate the joy of being together.

Mark your calendar, and we’ll see you there!

          
     

Brainstorming Workshop for Inclusive Faculty Recruitment

On November 25, 2024, NYU Tandon and Arts & Science department chairs came together for a dynamic brainstorming workshop focused on overcoming recruitment barriers and fostering inclusive hiring practices.

The session was led by Keren Bergman, Charles Batchelor Professor of Electrical Engineering at Columbia University and Faculty Director of the Columbia Nano Initiative. Prof. Bergman shared valuable insights from her extensive experience in faculty retention and recruitment, drawing on her tenure as Chair of ECE at Columbia and her current leadership role in directing the Chip Act Initiative.

The workshop highlighted actionable approaches for cultivating a more inclusive academic community and advancing NYU’s commitment to excellence in faculty recruitment and retention.

This collaborative event marked another step forward in our efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion across the university.

The Effective Leadership Initiative: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders

This October, we kicked off the Effective Leadership Initiative with an inspiring session led by Ellen Schall, NYU’s Senior Presidential Fellow, who laid the groundwork for the series by exploring what it truly takes to be an effective leader. Leadership isn’t just an inherent trait; it’s a skill that can be developed. Ellen shared her extensive expertise to help us understand how to actively engage in leadership and begin crafting our own unique leadership approach.

Continuing our momentum, today we held the second workshop in November, “Building Successful Teams”, featuring two incredible leaders: Stacie Grossman Bloom, PhD, NYU’s Chief Research Officer and Vice Provost & Vice Chancellor for Global Research and Innovation and Suzy Welch, Professor at NYU Stern and Director of the Initiative on Purpose and Flourishing.

The session was focused on practical strategies to build strong, motivated teams, with key takeaways including: aligning team goals with purpose, recognizing and leveraging individual strengths, boosting morale and motivation, and fostering authentic communication.

Stay tuned as we continue to empower and develop leaders at NYU! 💡✨

        
    

Good intentions aren’t always enough 

On October 10th and 11th, we held three powerful sessions of “Allies for Gender Equity in STEM,” where NYU STEM faculty gathered to learn about the current state of gender equity in STEM departments across the country and at NYU. Together, we explored inclusive vocabulary, actionable steps, and practical skills to drive gender equity forward.

These sessions marked the beginning of our Allies and Advocates initiative. If you’re passionate about creating change and want to become an Advocate for Gender Equity in STEM, please reach out to James Canary or Jin Montclare to join our mission!

   
    

Meeting a Hero of Our Time: Dr. Jennifer Doudna’s Vision for CRISPR and the Future of Genome Editing

When we first began brainstorming keynote speakers for the Ecosystem Hub series, Dr. Jennifer Doudna, co-recipient of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was an obvious choice. But many thought, ‘It’s impossible—she’s too busy, she won’t be able to come.’ Well, we proved them wrong! Thanks to the hard work of Pattie Altizio Penelope Fernandes, our dedicated team Elisa Riedo Annette ‘Nina’ Gray @Susan Antón Jin Kim Montclare Jim Canary Nathalie Felciai Siddharth Garg, Marina Panina, and of course, Dr. Jennifer Doudna herself—we made it happen!

At the core of NYU ECOSYSTEM HUB is the mission to foster equity and creativity in STEM. One of our primary goals is to support, inspire, and retain women in STEM by connecting them with their role models. Dr. Doudna is a true superhero—her brilliance, dedication, and commitment to using science for the betterment of humanity make her an inspiration to us all.”

We were honored to hear her speak, and here are some standout highlights:

  • CRISPR’s Evolution: From a bacterial defense mechanism to a precise genome-editing tool in just a decade.
  • Accessible Innovation: Dr. Doudna’s commitment to reducing costs to make CRISPR therapies more affordable and accessible.
  • Breakthrough Delivery: Pioneering Engineered Delivery Vehicles (EDVs) for in vivo CRISPR therapies, revolutionizing treatment options.
  • Editing for Agriculture: Exploring CRISPR’s potential in agricultural applications and sustainability efforts.
  • Medical Marvels: CRISPR therapies, like those for sickle cell disease, have transformed patients’ lives.
  • Regulatory Advocacy: Promoting CRISPR as a platform technology to accelerate treatment development for rare diseases.
  • Ethical Leadership: Highlighting the importance of responsible and ethical use of this transformative technology.
  • Inspiration for Women in STEM: Dr. Doudna is a beacon of hope and a role model for women and girls pursuing careers in science.

 Dr. Doudna’s impact reaches far beyond the lab, addressing global challenges like rare diseases and climate change. Her journey exemplifies how curiosity-driven science can change the world, and her story inspires everyone—women, men, and future generations—to dream big and achieve groundbreaking success in STEM.

She’s truly our ‘Taylor Swift of STEM,’ empowering the next generation to believe in their power to change the world!”

     
     
          
     

 

🚀From Research to Startup Success: Highlights from Our Inaugural Keynote with Dr. Sangiovanni-Vincentelli

How does groundbreaking research turn into startup success? 

We delved into this and more with Dr. Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli, Buttner Chair Professor at UC Berkeley and co-founder of CADENCE and SYNOPSYS, during our Inaugural Keynote Speaker Series.

It was an enlightening discussion on the role of top universities in startup innovation.

Stay tuned—don’t miss our next speaker!

   
       
 
 

Emotional Labor is about Power, not Gender

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our event, “Emotional Labor: Disparities among Genders at Work and Beyond!” 

A special thanks to our incredible speakers, Rose Hackman and Denise Celentano, for their insightful presentations, and to Elisa Riedo for expertly moderating the panel discussion. Your insights and energy made the event truly memorable!

We hope all attendees found the discussions thought-provoking and enjoyed connecting with fellow professionals. Your enthusiasm and engagement are what drive the success of these events.

Stay tuned for more events and initiatives from the NYU Ecosystem Hub!

   
   
   
   

The 2024 Brooklyn Power 100: Jelena Kovačević

NYU Tandon Dean Jelena Kovačević, one of our esteemed teammates, was named one of Brooklyn’s most influential community members of the year. Her achievements include securing a $1 billion, 20-year investment in Tandon’s Brooklyn campus to purchase 3 Metrotech Center and hire 40 full-time faculty. City & State also highlighted that Kovačević has helped Tandon become a center for game development and biomedical innovation during her tenure.

Congratulations to Dean Kovačević on this well-deserved recognition!

Round Table Discussion on Emotional Labor: Disparities among Genders at Work and Beyond

Join us for an insightful round table discussion exploring the theme of “Emotional Labor: Disparities among Genders at Work and Beyond.” This crucial topic sheds light on the often unseen challenges individuals, particularly women, face in managing emotions and interactions in various settings.

Our esteemed speakers Rose Hackman, journalist for The Guardian and author of the book Emotional Labor, and Denise Celentano, Professor of Ethics and Political Philosophy at Université de Montréal will present their work in two brief presentations followed by a round table with Prof. Elisa Riedo.  Together, they will share their expertise and insights on navigating the complexities of emotional labor in both professional and personal contexts.

Gain a deeper understanding of the challenges involved and explore strategies for fostering equity and inclusivity. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and broaden your perspective on this important issue.

📅 Date & Time: Thu, July 11, 2024 at 5:00 – 6:30 PM. Reception to follow
📍 Location: Kimmel Center – 60 Washington Square South, Room 914

🔗 RSVP and details here

We look forward to your participation in this enlightening discussion.

Women in Entrepreneurship Events with NASEM

Exciting News! One of our team members – Nina Gray –  has been invited to participate in planning events focusing on women in entrepreneurship and innovation, in partnership with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). Let’s make a difference together! 💪 Stay tuned for updates!