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Dr. Frank C. King Jr.

Join us for the EWU McNair Alumni Social Justice in Research Panel

05/28/2021 by Jaeger, Corinne Leave a Comment

Social Justice in Research with EWU McNair Alumni. Join us to hear these panelists June 2nd, 9 am.

McNair is a federally funded TRIO program intended to diversify academia by providing support to low income and first-generation students and/or students racially underrepresented in higher education on their path towards attaining a PhD. To date 41 EWU McNair alumni have gone on to earn their PhD and many are currently in graduate school getting closer to that goal. Our scholars are doing incredible work in their communities, both in school and once they've earned their degree. They are also making powerful change in academia. One piece of this is rethinking and implementing research practices that are more liberatory and whose aim is to create a more just world.

 

We are honored to have EWU McNair Alumni Dr. Laura Zamudio-Orozco, Dr. Frank C. King Jr., Dr. Yvonne Sherwood, and Dr. S. Omar Jobe join us for a panel on "Social Justice in Research" facilitated by EWU McNair Directora Dra. Christina Torres Garcia. This year EWU McNair and CSTEM collaborated to host a research symposium to ensure undergraduate students had the opportunity to present their research. This panel will be the plenary session kicking off the symposium at 9 am on June 2nd.

Click here to register for the free "Social Justice in Research" panel on June 2nd at 9 am!

 

The panelists have a wide range of research, including Afrocentric philosophy, Indigenous Feminism, Mathematics education, and medical devices. We were fortunate enough to talk with panelists in advance of the session where they shared some of their insights on the topic. EWU McNair Alumna Dr. Zamudio-Orozco, who earned her PhD in Mathematics Education and is now an Assistant Professor and the McNair Program Director at Heritage University, says, "I see research as a tool to work with our multiple communities to highlight social injustices and issues that we are facing and also to highlight the strength and knowledge in our communities."

 

Dr. Jobe, Senior Manager in Medical Science Liaison at Edwards Lifesciences, relates what social justice looks like in his field of medical research. "Far too often, gross inequities mean that some groups succumb to disease and death disproportionately, while others’ advantages protect them, due to disparities in health care provision, political persecution, social strife, racial discrimination, and a plethora of other factors.  My company makes medical devices for structural heart diseases and social justice in that sense means I have to do everything in my power to make sure our research and clinical trials represent the make up of the country and our devices are accessible and affordable to all."

 

In addition, panelists were asked about how to be a good mentor and how to take the most advantage of research as a student. Dr. King, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and a Program Coordinator for Ethnic Studies, advises "Remember that it is the student's project. We have to find a way to help the student find their voice. We can challenge them. We can maybe even say how difficult or impossible the topic will be. But we have to let them find their way."

 

Dr. Sherwood, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, Mississauga, shares this insight for students involved in research: "Read: Critical Mentoring: A Practical Guide by Torie Weiston-Serdan. Find strength in knowing you (and your community) are not the deficit despite that much of the dominant narrative places us (marginalized and racialized communities) as needing to be "saved" by schooling and mentorship. You are our strength. Trust yourself and trust your network."

 

To hear more from these outstanding and insightful panelists, join us for the panel and click on their name above to read the full pre-panel interview with each candidate. You can register for free to attend this amazing discussion.

Click here to register for the free "Social Justice in Research" panel on June 2nd at 9 am!

Filed Under: 2019-2020 PhDs, 2020-21 Presentations, All Majors, Alumni, Alumni Spotlight, EWU McNair PhD's, News, Research, Scholars Tagged With: Dr. Frank C. King Jr., Dr. Laura Zamudio-Orozco, Dr. S Omar Jobe, Dr. Yvonne Sherwood, EWU Alum, EWU McNair Program, EWU McNair Scholar, Research, Social Justice

Meet Social Justice in Research Panelist – EWU McNair Alumnus Dr. Frank C. King Jr.

05/14/2021 by Jaeger, Corinne Leave a Comment

Dr. Frank King Social Justice Panel 2021 WSU

We are honored to have EWU McNair Alumna Dr. Frank C. King Jr. joining us for our "Social Justice in Research" Plenary Session on June 2, at 9 am (register for free here). In addition to working as an Associate Professor, Dr. King is the Executive Director: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville; Special Assistant to the Senior Diversity Office; and a Program Coordinator for Ethnic Studies. Dr. King will join 3 other EWU McNair alumni in this panel preceding the EWU Online Symposium, a collaboration between McNair and CSTEM. He earned his PhD in American Studies at Washington State University. Dr. King graduated from EWU in 2004 with a major in History and minors in Africana Studies and Anthropology. Below is an interview with Dr. King about what he's doing now and some of his thoughts on social justice and research.

Our Interview with Dr. Frank C. King Jr.:

What work are you doing now?

I teach topics along the lines of race, class, gender, sexuality, and religion. Areas of research include African American Studies, Afrocentric philosophy, Hip Hop pedagogy, the prison industrial complex, and political economy. As an Executive Director of DEI, I work on action planning for the university to include a stronger presence of DEI topics in the classroom. I am also a project manager for various other projects for the campus."

What does “Social Justice in Research” mean to you?

It means to me to understand systems of oppression. To be sound through scholarship and being able to convey the ideas you've learned to reach people to help them understand how these systems influence or oppress them as individuals, as well as systemically."

What do you see as the purpose of academic research in this current moment?

Research to me is about gaining knowledge of a topic and being able to share that knowledge with others. To find ways to make people's lives better should be the focus for most research. But also having research to help people understand major problems in the world is also important."

How did your undergraduate research experience prepare you for the next steps you have taken?

I was very fortunate to have amazing scholars at EWU. Anthropology, History, African American Studies, and Geography professors pushed me to want to learn more of the topics they taught. I was an active learner, which made me want to learn how to research. So, I think that desire is key, the process of researching comes naturally after with guidance from great instructors."

What advice would you give to an undergraduate researcher?

Find what YOU want to research. Find great mentors that will push you and support you. Don't be afraid of falling on your face when it comes to research and writing. And read as much as you possibly can about the topic."

What advice would you give to an undergraduate faculty research mentor?

Remember that it is the student's project. I had a mentor in grad school that pushed me to write on a topic they wanted me to do. We have to find a way to help the student find their voice. We can challenge them. We can maybe even say how difficult/impossible the topic will be for the student. But we have to let them find their way."

Click here to register for the free "Social Justice in Research" panel on June 2nd at 9 am!

Filed Under: Africana Studies, Alumni, Alumni Spotlight, EWU McNair PhD's, History, News, Research, Scholars Tagged With: Dr. Frank C. King Jr., EWU Alum, EWU McNair Program, EWU McNair Scholar, Research, Social Justice

Meet Social Justice in Research Panelist – EWU McNair Alumnus Dr. S. Omar Jobe

05/11/2021 by Jaeger, Corinne Leave a Comment

Dr. S. Omar Jobe Social Justice Panel 2021

We are honored to have EWU McNair Alumna Dr. S. Omar Jobe joining us for our "Social Justice in Research" Plenary Session on June 2, at 9 am (register for free here). Dr. Jobe works as a Senior Manager in Medical Science Liaison at Edwards Lifesciences. Dr. Jobe will join 3 other EWU McNair alumni in this panel preceding the EWU Online Symposium, a collaboration between McNair and CSTEM. Dr. Jobe earned his PhD in Endocrinology and Physiology from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2012. He went on to get his MBA in Marketing Research at UW-Madison as well. Dr. Jobe graduated from EWU in 2008 with a major in Biology. Below is an interview with Dr. Jobe about his thoughts on social justice and research.

Our Interview with Dr. S. Omar Jobe:

What work are you doing now?

The focus of my role is field based scientific exchange, for which I leverage my scientific background, industry knowledge, and business acumen to act as a scientific resource to scientific experts and medical leaders as well as hospital administrators, while gathering insights that inform scientific objectives and strategic decision making."

What does “Social Justice in Research” mean to you?

Social justice in research and in my line of work means a commitment to social justice, means believing that everyone ought to be able to avoid preventable disease and escape premature death. Far too often, gross inequities mean that some groups succumb to disease and death disproportionately, while others’ advantages protect them, due to disparities in health care provision, political persecution, social strife, racial discrimination, and a plethora of other factors.  My company makes medical devices for structural heart diseases and social justice in that sense means I have to do everything in my power to make sure our research and clinical trials represent the make up of the country and our devices are accessible and affordable to all."

What do you see as the purpose of academic research in this current moment?

Academic research drives and increases our knowledge on a variety of topics and if it makes sure that knowledge integrates diverse perspectives and multidisciplinary approaches, then the knowledge gained can be use to positively change our communities and our lives."

How did your undergraduate research experience prepare you for the next steps you have taken?

My undergraduate research was my first experience in structure and asking the right questions. I was mentored by Dr. Charles Herr who was by all accounts an intellectual of the highest order. He not only challenged me but also guided me to think independently and gave me confidence to believe in myself and my abilities. Those qualities were evident as soon as I started my PhD and accelerated my growth through the rigors of grad school."

What advice would you give to an undergraduate researcher?

Take your research methodologies and fundamentals very seriously because no matter what the topic is and what the findings are, sound techniques and skills translate to all disciplines and levels. "

What advice would you give to an undergraduate faculty research mentor?

Try to balance being patient with making sure undergraduate researchers are challenged to ask the right questions and learn independence. You cannot be a good researcher until you are independent and can drive a project by yourself."

Click here to register for the free "Social Justice in Research" panel on June 2nd at 9 am!

Filed Under: Alumni, Alumni Spotlight, Biology, Chemistry, EWU McNair PhD's, News, Research, Scholars Tagged With: Dr. Frank C. King Jr., EWU Alum, EWU McNair Program, EWU McNair Scholar, Research, Social Justice

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