Amy Slocum, associate director of Delaware EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) and assistant director of the Delaware Environmental Network (DENIN), said she is amazed at the growth she has seen in her 24 years at UD.
There are so many different groups at the University now, she said. I cant believe how much research has grown and diversified.
Neuroscientists Jared Medina and Timothy Vickery shared a display table, which had an ample supply of foam stress balls shaped like brains, available for the taking. When they werent explaining brain science, they made their way around the room, too.
I happen to think neuroscience is very cool, but other people here are doing cool stuff, too, Medina said. And for the people with the power to push for us, this is not just an abstract idea of science, but tangible products.
Time well spent
Amanda Rosier, a doctoral student and a fellow in the Delaware Environmental Institute (DENIN), said the day was valuable to her for many reasons. She has a keen interest in science communication and makes deliberate effort to help the public understand her research, which focuses on how beneficial bacteria interact with plant roots.
I was fortunate to have this platform to practice using different ways of describing my research depending on my audience, Rosier said. Through a simple brief conversation, I could learn what aspects my audience finds most important about improving plant and soil health with beneficial bacteria. Some folks were interested more in the global perspective how my work can ease the effects of climate change and others would like to have an environmentally friendly way to make their geraniums grow better. Either perspective is equally important and I enjoyed being able to explain the biology behind my work.
She learned a lot talking with other scientists, she said.
Because some of the subjects were so divergent from my field, I felt comfortable asking very basic questions without judgment, Rosier said. The folks presenting their work here were well-versed in the same public communication skills I spent the evening practicing. This was such a great way to not only learn about what they were doing, but what techniques work best to describe complex research. I was so heartened to learn that whether the subject was brain science or gerontology we all had the common goal of making real improvements to the quality of our lives and environment.
Donofrio said she would leave with a happy heart.
It was an excellent and diverse collection of people, she said. I was really impressed by the comments of Sen. Carper and President Assanis. I liked it that Sen. Carper talked about innovation and I know Sen. Coons is a big advocate of that as well. It tells me what I already know about Delawares senators that they pay attention to the University of Delaware and they care deeply about it. It just makes my heart happy.
More here: https://www.udel.edu/udaily/2019/april/research-washington-dc-ud-day-federal-funding-connections-agencies-alumni/