GEM Grad Lab – Fall 2015

GEM GRAD Lab was hosted by the Texas A&M University with Prairie View A&M University and Rice University on Friday and Saturday, September 25 – 26, 2015.

The GRAD Lab was a fun and engaging symposium where participants, science and engineering undergraduates, received full information on the importance of graduate school and what is needed to successfully gain admittance with financial support. GRAD Lab encouraged young people to consider graduate engineering or science education, and to apply for the GEM fellowship.  Focusing on the global importance of research and innovation, life-long career benefits, and real world role models, the symposium helped each student envision his or her future as a technology leader, successfully apply for a GEM fellowship, and gain entry to a graduate STEM program.

Speakers range from current graduate students to University faculty and senior industry executives.

Speakers for Friday

Karen Butler-Purry, Ph.D.

Karen Butler-Purry, Ph.D.

TAMU Associate Provost for Graduate and Professional Studies

Dr. Karen is the Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and professor of electrical and computer engineering. Dr. Karen started as a visiting assistant professor of electrical engineering in 1994.
Presentation Topic: Graduate opportunities at Texas A&M University

Seiichi Matsuda, Ph.D.

Seiichi Matsuda, Ph.D.

Dean of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, Rice University

Dr. Matsuda joined the Rice faculty in 1995 as an assistant professor of chemistry and of biochemistry and cell biology. He was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 2001, full professor in 2004 and department chair in 2007.
Presentation Topic: Graduate opportunities at Rice University

Shield B. Lin, Ph.D.

Shield B. Lin, Ph.D.

Associate Dean, Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University

Dr. Lin is Associate Dean, Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University. Dr. Lin completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 1986. He started with Prairie View A&M University as Assistant Professor/Associate Professor in 1986.
Presentation Topic: Graduate opportunities at Prairie View A&M University

Speakers for Saturaday

Howard G. Adams, Ph.D.

Howard G. Adams, Ph.D.

Founder and President H.G. Adams & Associates, Inc.

Dr. Howard G. Adams is Founder and President of H.G. Adams & Associates, Inc.; a Norfolk, Virginia based company that provides consulting and training in the areas of mentoring, student development, and leadership
Presentation topic: Why Graduate School?

Michael D. Smith, D.Eng.

Michael D. Smith, D.Eng.

Deputy Executive Director, Internal Operations The National GEM Consortium

Dr. Michael D. Smith, D.Eng. is the Deputy Executive Director, Internal Operations of The National GEM Consortium.
Presentation topic: How to Apply to Graduate School

Patty Lopez, Ph.D.

Patty Lopez, Ph.D.

Component Design Engineer Intel Corporation

Dr. Patty Lopez is a Senior Platform Applications Engineer at Intel Corporation, working with customers to deliver Xeon server chip solutions that power high end data centers and mission critical applications.
Presentation topic: How to Fund Graduate School.