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In Loving Memory of George "Bud" M. Homsy (1943 - 2024)

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Jayshree Seth

The State of Science and the Need for STEM Advocacy

Corporate Scientist, 3M

Event Details:

Monday, January 31, 2022
4:00pm - 5:00pm PST

Location

(In Person) Room Shriram 104

This event is open to:

Alumni/Friends
Faculty/Staff
Students
Jayree Seth

Jayshree Seth
Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate, 3M

Abstract: The state of science and the need for STEM advocacy
The future success of businesses, economies, and humanity hinges on the continued advancement of science and development of sustainable innovations. This, in turn, is dependent on the inclusion of diverse perspectives inside our organizations and in our communities to bring creative thinking, innovative mindset and scientific prowess together to solve real-world problems. Jayshree will provide an overview of the 3M State of Science Index, a global research to uncover what people think of science. Many of the findings highlight the importance of reducing real and perceived barriers to science appreciation and STEM education, not only to ensure that we have a healthy pipeline of future scientists, technologists and engineers to solve the complex and global humanitarian challenges we face, but also for society to accept the solutions. The presentation will also include the impact of the pandemic on the public perception of science, key themes that emerge from the 2020 and 2021 results, and how we can all play a role in science advocacy and advancing diversity in STEM.

Biography:
Jayshree Seth is a Corporate Scientist at 3M and leads Applied Technology Development for Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division. She joined 3M in 1993 after an MS and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University, New York, and she currently holds 72 patents for a variety of innovations with several additional pending. Jayshree is a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient from her alma mater REC Trichy India, now NIIT Trichy, where she earned a B. Tech. in Chemical Engineering. Jayshree was appointed 3M’s first ever Chief Science Advocate in 2018 and is using her scientific knowledge, technical expertise and professional experience to advance science and communicate the importance and benefits of science in everyday life. She is also a member of Carlton Society which is the 3M Science and Engineering ‘Hall of Fame.’ Jayshree is the 4th woman and 1st female engineer to be inducted. In 2020, she was awarded Society of Women Engineers (SWE) highest Achievement Award. She is also the first-ever winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the new ‘Female Thought Leaders of the Year’ – category in the 18th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business in 2021. Jayshree was featured in a docuseries titled “Not the Science Type that premiered during the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival. She is the author of the book, The Heart of Science – Engineering Footprints, Fingerprints, & Imprints, published by the Society of Women Engineers, and all the sales proceeds go to a scholarship for underrepresented minority women in STEM. She is a sought-after speaker, globally, on a multitude of topics such as innovation, leadership and STEM advocacy and has featured in local, national and international media. She serves on the Board of the Science Museum of Minnesota and on the Engineering Advisory Council for Clarkson University. Jayshree has two adult children, and her husband is also a 3Mer. 

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