In early February, the College of Sciences held its Excellence in STEM Dinner and Excellence in STEM Symposium. The events brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni and industry partners to explore how STEM research translates into real-world impact. This year’s theme, “Stories of Innovation and Impact,” focused on the ways STEM can drive change through research, teaching, outreach, mentorship, creativity, entrepreneurship and community engagement. Both events were sponsored by BASF, with support from Ali Scott, the company’s vice president of global regulatory affairs.

“Our partnership with BASF is bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry impact,” Dean Lewis Owen said. “By working together, we are empowering our students to see themselves as the next generation of leaders who will create their own paths and solve the world’s most pressing challenges.”

Dr. Ashley Hink ’05, a trauma surgeon and public health researcher, gave the keynote address at the Excellence in STEM Dinner on Feb. 3. Hink has dedicated her career to improving systems of care for trauma patients. 

Her talk, “What It Takes to Save a Life,” reminded guests that saving lives and innovating medicine involves not only providing medical care, but addressing social, political and environmental risk factors. She encouraged the students and faculty in the room to partner with experts in areas like psychology and sociology to deliver multidimensional care that more effectively helps people. 

“And I think by doing this, it means that our innovations are better,” Hink said. “They’re more human-centered, they’re more equitable, and they perhaps reconnect us to what made us want to go into STEM, which is generally to improve the lives of humans.”

Hink also spoke about the impact of violence prevention programs — including the one she started in South Carolina in 2021 — which involve bridging the gap between health care and rehabilitation, mental health care and other pro-social activities. 

“This is innovation, and it goes beyond keeping someone alive,” Hink said. “It truly can help save lives and improve lives, and importantly, create a ripple effect in families and communities.”

The Excellence in STEM Symposium on Feb. 4 drew 284 in-person and virtual attendees. The event featured 12 interactive sessions on research topics including cancer treatment, coastal restoration, and water quality and urbanization, as well as STEM education and outreach. A research showcase featuring 27 posters highlighted the work of students and postdoctoral scholars from various disciplines across the university. 

The 136 undergraduate and graduate students in attendance connected with the NC State community and BASF representatives, gaining mentoring connections and professional development and networking opportunities.

The keynote speaker for the symposium was three-time NC State graduate Saundra Wall Williams, chief executive officer of WMS Corporation, a professional development consulting and training company. WMS supports emerging and established women leaders in corporations, government, education and nonprofit organizations. 

Williams’ talk, “STEM Research: It’s More Than an Assignment,” reminded guests of the tangible impact STEM has on human lives, while offering students guidance on building meaningful mentoring relationships to support them throughout their careers. 

“STEM is where education, research and personal growth come together,” Williams said. 

She encouraged faculty and students in the audience to think about the impact of their work beyond the lab. 

“Whenever you do research — before you start looking at the formulas, before you start looking at the tools you need, before you start looking at whatever it takes to do the research that you’re doing — ask yourself, ‘Who is going to be helped?’”