Distinguished Women in Science Seminar: Professor Jillian Blatti, Pasadena City College
About the Seminar
Toward equity in science education and diversity in the STEM workforce: undergraduate research, community outreach, and projects at the art-science interface
Education can empower those historically underrepresented in STEM, providing a means to build an inspired life. Therefore, education should be a right for all human beings, as all people deserve access to knowledge that can be used to better themselves and their environment. Jillian will show her efforts over the past 15 years toward equity in science education and the impact it has had on her students and in the broader community. In this talk, she will present meaningful teaching moments in her courses, undergraduate research, and outreach. Project-based learning and other active learning pedagogies increase the participation, success, and retention of underrepresented students in STEM. Furthermore, artistic research projects help students gain confidence in their research skills as they begin to develop a science identity. Jillian will illustrate how research projects at the art-science interface inspire creativity in her students while motivating them to learn complex scientific topics in a fun and engaging way. Creative ideas are the centerpiece of her research program for underrepresented students at Pasadena City College (PCC), which focuses on bio/nanotechnology. She guides her students as they translate their research into engaging scientific activities for outreach to underrepresented communities, endeavors that have greatly impacted her PCC students and students taught in outreach. Jillian is presently Co-Principal Investigator on an NSF Future Manufacturing grant in collaboration with UCLA, UCSB, and Caltech; she leads the education and workforce development effort. This evolution of the research program has resulted in a transformative experience for her students. Last summer, Jillian observed as her students developed into skilled scientists capable of carrying out independent research with minimal guidance while working in the lab with joy, passion, and enthusiasm. This all-female cohort of PCC researchers is currently thriving in their science courses and in research. Mentorship and representation play a significant role in the STEM pathway for underrepresented students, in particular women; and Jillian’s mentorship of young women pursuing science careers has had a considerable impact. Former students are now in Bachelors programs at the country’s top institutions and graduate programs at Washington University of Saint Louis School of Medicine, UC Irvine, UCLA, UPenn, Caltech, Harvard and Stanford. Creating a positive learning environment, leading with compassion, and teaching through the lens of equity can inspire, engage, and retain underrepresented students in STEM
About the Speaker:
Jillian L. Blatti, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Pasadena City College (PCC), where she teaches Organic Chemistry, General/Organic/Biochemistry, and the Environmental Sciences. She leads an undergraduate research group at PCC and her research focuses on bio/nanotechnology and the development of innovative educational activities that promote equity in science education and contribute to diversity in the STEM workforce. She is a Co-Principal Investigator on an NSF Future Manufacturing grant in collaboration with Caltech, UCLA, and UCSB that centers on the development of novel nucleic acid-based manufacturing technologies to fabricate materials of the future; Jillian leads the education and workforce development aspect of this effort. This includes training a diverse future STEM workforce with relevant skills and character traits for success in careers pertaining to science and education. Jillian was part of the algae biotechnology community as a graduate student at the University of California, San Diego, where her research aimed to engineer fatty acid biosynthesis in microalgae toward sustainable bioenergy. This is also where Jillian began her outreach program for underrepresented students focused on modern science and technology, which has evolved significantly throughout her time at PCC. Along with her research group, she has developed engaging laboratory activities regarding systems thinking and sustainability science, engineering algae and synthesizing algae biodiesel, making natural artistic paints and other endeavors at the art-science interface, and DNA nanotechnology; these lessons are implemented in her courses at PCC and in science outreach to underrepresented communities. Outside of science, her interests include music composition and performance, creating nanoart, exploring Nature, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and hanging out with her family and Bengal cat.
Host: Casey Decosto