A variety of issues related to the access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics education are the focus for a monthly public science forum organized by the University of Mississippi Department of Physics and Astronomy.
The third meeting of the Oxford Science Cafe is set for 6 p.m. Jan. 17 at Lusa Pastry Cafe, 1120 North Lamar Ave. Maurice Eftink, UM associate provost, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and director of accreditation, will discuss “Access to STEM Education in Mississippi: Status and Goals.” Admission is free.
“This discussion will focus on a variety of STEM education access issues, will give an overview of some of the successful programs at UM and will envision what we science educators can do to further enhance the STEM pipeline,” Eftink said. “A shared interest among the science educator community in Mississippi is whether we are doing an adequate job in preparing future generations in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”
Eftink’s 30-minute presentation will address the level of preparedness of K-12 students, the training and support for science and math teachers, the dearth of minority students and the mission of the university in preparing bachelor’s and graduate school graduates. The lecture will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
“We’re planning one event the third Tuesday of each month,” said Marco Cavaglia, associate professor of physics and astronomy. “Randy Wadkins, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, will discuss ‘How Cancer Drugs Work’ on Feb. 21.”
Eftink holds bachelor’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Missouri. Before becoming associate provost and graduate school dean in 1997, his research was on protein unfolding, time-resolved fluorescence studies with proteins, synthesis of tryptophan analogs and the effect of high pressure on proteins.
For more information, visit Oxford Science Cafes or the Department of Physics and Astronomy, go to or call 662-915-5311.