UR chemistry professor will be honored with ACS regional diversity award
September 20, 2011
University of Richmond chemistry professor Carol Parish will receive the Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for advancing diversity in the chemical sciences at the Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, scheduled to take place in Richmond, Va. Oct. 26-29.
According to the ACS, the Stanley C. Israel Regional Award recognizes individuals and institutions who have been constant and vocal advocates for increasing student diversity in the chemical sciences and who have significantly stimulated or fostered activities that promote inclusiveness within the region.
Parish has dedicated much of her career to mentoring research students from a wide range of backgrounds. Of the under-represented minorities Parish has mentored since starting her independent academic career 15 years ago, 38 percent have pursued a Ph.D. in a STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) discipline; 27 percent have gone to medical school, and 40 percent have pursued careers in law, secondary education, industry or post-baccalaureate research.
“Many students come to college without knowing of the numerous careers available to those with an interest and aptitude in science. Some students lack the confidence to know that they are good at science and that the world needs their intellect and creativity to solve important problems,” said Parish. “Seeing these students go off to do a Ph.D. or a M.D. is what it’s all about.”
At Richmond, Parish has served on the university’s strategic planning working group dedicated to diversity and inclusivity, the Oliver Hill Richmond Scholars selection and mentoring committee, and the university’s Common Ground action committee. She was also a member of the ACS Women Chemists Committee.
Parish’s mentees from underrepresented groups have received the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, a United Negro College Fund/Merck Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship, and a Rhodes Scholarship for study at Oxford University. They have received a NIH Fellowship, a Pfizer Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, and a Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship. Three of her mentees have been named ACS Scholars.
One student of Parish’s, Hilda Castillo, from NY, N.Y., went on to earn a Ph.D. in biochemistry at Georgia Tech before being recruited to work for the FBI. The Department of Chemistry has invited her to come to campus to give a lecture this coming spring.
“Success stories like Hilda’s are why I am so passionate about making sure that everyone who has an interest in science receives the kind of encouragement and advising necessary to excel,” said Parish. “I’m looking forward to Hilda’s visit—by speaking to our students, she’ll be a role model to those who might never have considered a career in science.”
According to the ACS, the Stanley C. Israel Regional Award recognizes individuals and institutions who have been constant and vocal advocates for increasing student diversity in the chemical sciences and who have significantly stimulated or fostered activities that promote inclusiveness within the region.
Parish has dedicated much of her career to mentoring research students from a wide range of backgrounds. Of the under-represented minorities Parish has mentored since starting her independent academic career 15 years ago, 38 percent have pursued a Ph.D. in a STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) discipline; 27 percent have gone to medical school, and 40 percent have pursued careers in law, secondary education, industry or post-baccalaureate research.
“Many students come to college without knowing of the numerous careers available to those with an interest and aptitude in science. Some students lack the confidence to know that they are good at science and that the world needs their intellect and creativity to solve important problems,” said Parish. “Seeing these students go off to do a Ph.D. or a M.D. is what it’s all about.”
At Richmond, Parish has served on the university’s strategic planning working group dedicated to diversity and inclusivity, the Oliver Hill Richmond Scholars selection and mentoring committee, and the university’s Common Ground action committee. She was also a member of the ACS Women Chemists Committee.
Parish’s mentees from underrepresented groups have received the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, a United Negro College Fund/Merck Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship, and a Rhodes Scholarship for study at Oxford University. They have received a NIH Fellowship, a Pfizer Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, and a Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship. Three of her mentees have been named ACS Scholars.
One student of Parish’s, Hilda Castillo, from NY, N.Y., went on to earn a Ph.D. in biochemistry at Georgia Tech before being recruited to work for the FBI. The Department of Chemistry has invited her to come to campus to give a lecture this coming spring.
“Success stories like Hilda’s are why I am so passionate about making sure that everyone who has an interest in science receives the kind of encouragement and advising necessary to excel,” said Parish. “I’m looking forward to Hilda’s visit—by speaking to our students, she’ll be a role model to those who might never have considered a career in science.”