Imhotep’s Legacy Academy (ILA), in association with PLANS (Promoting Leadership in health for African Nova Scotians), and the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute (DBDLI), will host a two-day event on March 6-7, 2020 entitled the Black Excellence in STEM and Health Research Symposium (BESH).

The theme is connections, as we strive to build networks for Black researchers and connect research back to community.

This symposium builds on the momentum of two distinct gatherings of Black researchers in 2019: The Black Excellence in STEM Conference (ILA) and the Black Research Symposium (PLANS). The 2020 event will bring together STEM academics, university students and secondary students from across Nova Scotia and Canada to (1) discuss the contributions of Black researchers to STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering and Math) and health, (2) expose secondary students to Black STEM and health professionals and offer unique hands-on activities to deepen their understanding of science and health concepts and (3) to highlight research being done in STEM and health by Black scholars and develop solutions to address barriers to entry in these fields.

Our keynote speaker is Dr. Juliet Daniel , award -winning cancer biologist and Professor at McMaster University. We will also feature presentations by Dr. Omisoore Dryden, Mr. Bruce Johnson and Dr. Mikhail Burke.

The symposium is FREE and will be held at the Dalhousie University campus in Halifax.

Program:

Day 1: March 6, 2020

Professional Networking Night

Time: 7:00PM to 9:00PM

Location: Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute, 5450 Cornwallis St, Halifax, NS B3K 1A9

Cost: FREE

Day 2: March 7, 2020

Symposium Day

Time: 8:30AM Registration ; 9:00AM- 4:30PM - Symposium

Location: Tupper Building, Dalhousie University, 5850 College Street, Halifax.

Cost: FREE

Youth STEM & Health Activity Day

Time: 8:30AM Registration; 9:00AM-4:30PM - Activity Day

Location: Tupper Building, Dalhousie University, 5850 College Street, Halifax.

Cost: FREE

A Black Excellence Affair (Organized by the PLANS Student Society)

A social event highlighting the Black Excellence of STEM and health students.

Location: University Club, 6259 Alumni Crescent, Halifax.

Time: 6:30PM - 11:00PM

Cost: $20

19+ with ID

Check out our event page for more info and to view the program!

Interesting Fact:

The headline photo you see for this page is archived from the 1932 Syphilis Study on the Black Sharecropper population (US) conducted by the Public Health Service and Tuskegee University. In 1947, participants of this study were unknowingly withheld penicillin treatment (by the PHS) in order for researchers to observe the natural course of untreated Syphilis, resulting in the deaths of many participants, infection of their wives and offspring. This photo reminds us of the importance of community advocacy and ethics in STEM and Health Research. Learn More