Committed to advancing the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) community, the SOA is focused on a strategy to build a STEMM workforce that reflects the culturally rich, innovative and diverse talent pool of the United States.

SOA has engaged hundreds of partners to implement STEMM Equity and Excellence 2050: A National Strategy for Progress and Prosperity, with the goal of helping 20 million people from historically excluded and marginalized communities enter, contribute to and thrive within STEMM fields.

For UofL, this is a transformative effort that includes the College of Arts & Sciences, College of 成人直播 & Human Development, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, and School of Medicine in networking with national foundations, companies and the federal government to offer scholarships and expand the opportunity for STEMM careers to more students.

鈥淔or too long, many students have had to swim upstream to pursue careers in STEMM and UofL is joining the vital effort to seek fundamental, systemic change. Complex problems require multifaceted, creative, and innovative solutions, which are best addressed with diverse teams bringing distinct perspectives to achieve scientific excellence,鈥� said James Orlick, director of grant writing and innovation for UofL鈥檚 Office of Institutional Equity. 鈥淓quity and excellence are connected.鈥�

The Johns Hopkins University professor, also former president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, is known for his science diplomacy work with other countries.

Agre鈥檚 free, public, general-interest talk about “Bridging Science and Society: Advocating for Human Rights and Diplomacy While Fighting Disease Worldwide鈥� will begin at 12:30 p.m. May 9 in Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium.

The Chemistry Graduate Student Association in the College of Arts and Sciences sponsors the annual Derbytime lecture series with Clariant, a Switzerland-based chemical company with operations in Louisville. Students invite the lecturer to attend the Kentucky Derby with them.

鈥淐GSA is pleased to host Dr. Agre as the 2017 Derby Lecturer, not only due to his vast scientific achievements but also for his unique experiences in science diplomacy across the globe,鈥� said Kelsey Kaht, CGSA president. 鈥淭his is a perfect mix for our Derby Lecture Series because we encourage the entire Louisville community to come together to appreciate science, and we think that is easily achieved through Dr. Agre as his work expands beyond the typical lab bench.鈥�

Agre led visits of U.S. scientists to Iran, Myanmar, Cuba and the Democratic People鈥檚 Republic of Korea (North Korea) to foster collaborations on peaceful science projects and disease eradication in attempts to reduce tensions between countries.

The professor is director of Johns Hopkins鈥� Malaria Research Institute. He won the famous chemistry prize in 2003 with Roderick MacKinnon. Agre was recognized for his discovery of aquaporins, which channel water molecules rapidly through cell membranes in animals and plants.

His more technical talk, 鈥淎quaporin Water Channels: From Atomic Structure to Malaria,鈥� will begin at 1:30 p.m. May 8, also at the planetarium.