The SciMed Graduate Research Scholars (SciMedGRS) program will host Ron Smith, the executive director of Howard University’s Karsh STEM Scholars Program, on April 22, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. in the Genetics Biotech auditorium (Room 1111), 425 Henry Mall. Smith will speak about “Collaboration for a Shared Future.”

Most of Smith’s 40 years in higher education has been devoted to student development, including addressing the problems that result from the under representation of African Americans and other minorities who earn PhDs in STEP disciplines and MS/PhDs. This under representation has resulted in few minorities who teach as members of the professoriate, lead research teams, engage in policy development or who lead STEM-related organizations. Working with others, he hopes to reverse this program and create a more just and representative STEM-related workforce.