Summer 2017 Program

The Ann Lutes Johnson Visiting Speaker Series includes talks by invited scientists, with receptions to follow. All seminars will be scheduled for 4 p.m., visitor schedules allowing.

• Participating Students
• 2017 Speakers Series

2017 Program Schedule

2017 Speakers Series

Michelle Johnson, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Director, Rehabilitation Robotics Lab

Thursday, June 15, 4 p.m., Ely Room, Wyndham | Reception to follow; stay and ask Dr. Hall questions while enjoying the reception.

"The Rehabilitation Robotics Lab at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine is led by its director, Dr. Michelle J. Johnson. All research and development is performed under her supervision and direction, and is sponsored by the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The lab’s mission and focus is to use rehabilitation robotics and neuroscience to investigate brain plasticity and motor function after non-traumatic brain injuries, for example in stroke survivors or persons diagnosed with cerebral palsy. By examining the underlying causes of limb impairment after neural disease, injury, or cerebral accident, the lab works to discover effective methods to expedite a robust functional recovery. Translating research findings into the development of extremely affordable therapeutic robots that are able to provide effective neurorehabilitation—both on the national and global level—is the ultimate goal of the Rehabilitation Robotics Lab." (Rehabilitation Robotics Lab Website, UPenn) Visit her website to view her TED talk!

Education: B.S. (Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics), University of Pennsylvania, 1990; M.S. (Mechanical Engineering (Emphasis in Robot Mechanical System) 
University of California, Irvine, 1994; Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering (Emphasis in Robotics, Design, Controls and Mechatronics), Stanford University, 2002.

Madeleine Joullié, Ph.D.

Professor of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania

Wednesday, July 19, 4 p.m.

"Madeleine M. Joullié (born March 29, 1927) was the first woman to join the University of Pennsylvania chemistry faculty. She was also the first female organic chemist to be appointed to a tenure track position in a major American university. She was one of the first affirmative action officers at the University of Pennsylvania. She has a distinguished record as a teacher of both undergraduate and graduate-level organic chemistry, and as a mentor of students. Joullié is also an active researcher in organic chemistry who has published three textbooks of organic chemistry, more than 18 review articles, and more than 300 scientific papers. Her work in synthesizing organic compounds such as tilorone, furanomycin, and numerous cyclopeptides has led to the development of antibiotic and antiviral drugs. Joullié has received numerous awards, including the 1978 Garvan Medal from the American Chemical Society, in recognition of her accomplishments in teaching and research." (Wikipedia)

"Investigations carried out in our laboratory encompass a wide range of interests in synthetic organic chemistry including heterocyclic and medicinal chemistry. Current efforts are in the following areas: (1) synthesis and chemistry of five-membered heterocycles and natural products containing such units; (2) synthesis and chemistry of fungal metabolites; (3) synthesis and chemistry of cyclopeptide alkaloids; (4) synthesis of biologically important depsipeptides; (5) synthesis of novel ninhydrins; (6) synthesis of anti- angiogenic agents." (Department of Chemistry website, UPenn)

Education: B.Sc. (Chemistry) Simmons College, Boston, MA, 1949; M.Sc. (Chemistry) University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, MA, 1950; Ph.D. (Chemistry)
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, MA, 1953.

Sarah Millar, Ph.D.

Professor of Medicine, Office of Inclusion and Diversity Advisory Council, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Friday, July 28, 4 p.m.

"While approximately 50% of medical students and graduate students are female, women remain underrepresented in tenure-track faculty positions in biomedical research, particularly at the Associate and Full Professor levels, resulting in lost opportunities for furthering biomedical research goals. The relative absence of senior female role models and perceived difficulties in achieving success discourage younger women from following this career path, perpetuating the situation and resulting in a decreased pool of available talent for research. I am addressing this problem by working with other senior women faculty to raise awareness of the existence of unconscious gender bias in recruitment and promotion committees and in scientific publishing, and to provide mentoring for junior women faculty members. I also chair the Penn Medicine Childcare Task force, convened by Dean Jameson to provide recommendations for an onsite Child Care Center within the Perelman School of Medicine."

Academic Focus: Molecular mechanisms regulating the formation and regeneration of skin and its appendages including hair follicles, mammary glands and teeth; Epigenetic mechanisms controlling skin development, stem cells and cancer." (Office of Inclusion and Diversity Website, UPenn). Recipient of 2016 FOCUS Award for the Advancement of Women in Medicine.

Education: B.A. (Biochemistry) Cambridge University, U.K., 1982; Ph.D. (Molecular Biology) University of London, U.K., 1987.

Summer 2017 Participants

Biology

• Sophie Drew
• Mariam Haider
• Linghan Mei
• Hemma Murali
• Veda Nambi
• Lillian Oyen-Ustad
• Chris Pathmanabhan
• Patricia  Sánchez Montejo
• Kalaina Thorne
• Catherine Tsai
• Paige Weber

Chemistry

• Victoria Berke
• Christianna Kutz
• Pía López
• Ami Okazaki
• Leslie Reiffen
• Jingyi Ren
• Hannah Terz

Computer Science

• Yazhe Feng
• Wenqi Wang
• Tianming  Xu

Geology

• Mercedes  Aponte
• Emily Kampmeyer
• Helen Whitty
• Yezi Yang

Mathematics

• Ranran Chen
• Hezel  Gadzikwa
• Julia Lin
• Yu  Sheng
• Boyang Su

Physics

• Jessica Breet
• Lamiaa Dakir
• Leyla Fahim
• Julia Greig
• Hayley Johnson
• Ankitha Kannad
• Fiona McCluskey

Psychology

• Jamie DiDomenico
• Huiyu Li
• Yasmine Nahim
• Izi Silverstein