Keynotes
Friday, March 24, 2023, at 8:00 AM ET, Grand Ballroom (room 106)
Dr. Victor Ibeanusi
Founder and Director, EnergyWaterFoodNexus International Summits
Dean School of the Environment at Florida A&M University
In the face of the challenges set by global climate change that is impacting access to safe water, procurement of sustainable energy, and food security, there is only one path ahead, a transformative innovation built on open science with integration of novel applications and new technologies. The particular processes and applications of this path would allow a truly disruptive and accelerated transformation to sustainable development. Dr. Ibeanusi, Florida A&M University-Dean School of the Environment, is leading and advancing the EnergyWaterFoodNexus (EWFN) as a new science enterprise addressing this vexing global challenge. Dr. Ibeanusi is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief for the International Journal of EnergyWaterFoodNexus.
Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 8:00 AM ET, Grand Ballroom (room 106)
Science Information Amid Misinformation
Dr. Heather Lanthorn
Co-Director of the Mercury Project at the Social Science Research Council
Heather Lanthorn is the co-Director of the Mercury Project at the Social Science Research Council, and an affiliate at the Busara Center for Behavioral Economics and the Dignity Project. She holds a ScD in Global Health and Population, an MPH in Health Behavior, and a BA in Medical Anthropology. The Mercury Project is a consortium of researchers working around the world to find cost-effective and scalable interventions that build vaccine demand and support science-based health decision making. The work of the consortium will provide a foundation for data-driven interventions, programs, and policies enabling the creation of a healthier information environment.
Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 12:00 PM ET, Grand Ballroom (room 106)
This Keynote Panel will include Dr. Brenda Spencer and Dr. Tamara Basham.
Dr. Brenda Spencer
Director of the Undergraduate Student Success Center at Florida A&M University
For the Student Success Center, Dr. Spencer directs the Living-Learning Community and Transfer Academic Success Programs, prepares articulation agreements, and coordinates the transfer curriculum mapping process between FAMU and the state/community colleges.
Dr. Spencer is a native of Tallahassee, Florida. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from FAMU and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Florida State University. Dr. Spencer has extensive experience in student success programming and counseling students with academic, personal, and career issues. She is a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I), among other professional organizations. Dr. Spencer is also actively involved in various educational and service efforts within the Tallahassee community.
Dr. Tamara Basham
Professor of Environmental Science at the Collin County Community College Plano Campus
Tamara Basham is a professor of Environmental Science at the Collin County Community College Plano Campus in Plano, Texas, north of Dallas. In addition to teaching Environmental Science courses and working with students on independent research projects, Tamara works to promote Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) guidelines and methodologies within her institution. Additionally, she has collaborated with fellow BioQuest/Qubes community members to advocate and work for the inclusion of Social Justice issues in STEM curricula. Over the years, she has found that open, honest communication, power sharing, and kindness are keys to improving student success.