A UTA trailblazer, ready for her graduation – News Center
Tuesday, August 17, 2021 • Linsey Retcofsky:
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A graduate researcher at the University of Texas at Arlington is poised to become the university’s first African American student to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry.
Graduating Aug. 19, Lindsay Davis represents the growing number of minority women and researchers who are radically changing the demographics of careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
“It feels good to be a trailblazer,” said Davis. “I am proud to be an example to underrepresented minorities who dream of using their STEM talents to make the world a better place.”
Davis is one of more than 3,000 freshmen graduating from UTA this week during ceremonies scheduled for August 18-19 at College Park Center. A virtual ceremony is scheduled for August 21st. Graduates will join more than 240,000 Maverick alumni across Texas and beyond.
“Our graduates really deserve the Mavericks name,” said Teik C. Lim, Interim President of UTA. “You have shown true courage and determination to deal with changing circumstances throughout your academic career. Business executives will find these UT Arlington graduates have valuable qualities that will help them in their careers. ”
Davis has a job in research and science waiting for her. Upon graduation, she will return to her alma mater, Langston University, a historically black university in Oklahoma, as an assistant professor, where she will help expand her STEM curriculum.
“Life comes full circle,” said Davis. “My experience at UTA enabled me to encourage other students like myself to become the next generation of scientists, mathematicians and engineers. Fortunately, my mentors at UTA are brilliant scientists. Your research achievements inspire me to keep going. ”
In the lab, Davis is studying an enzyme called FGD, which is important in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). TB is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, affecting an estimated 10 million people annually. It is curable and preventable, but its epidemic transmission has allowed the disease to become increasingly drug resistant.
“We want to understand how FGD works at the molecular level as it is the target of further drug development for several drug-resistant forms of TB,” said Davis. “Once we discover how REA works, researchers can develop treatments that target the enzyme more effectively and cure patients with drug-resistant TB strains.”
As a woman of color in a STEM field, Davis has been a rare role model for students with underrepresented backgrounds.
“Lindsay’s research project has provided mentoring and training to a number of students from diverse backgrounds,” said Kayunta Johnson-Winters, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Faculty Advisor for Davis. “Two of her mentees, both women of color, have completed advanced courses at other institutions.”
Start plan and speakers
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
- 7 p.m .: University of Economics and University of Social Work.
The speaker will be Raul Gonzales, an Honorable Member of the Arlington Council, a UTA alumnus.
Thursday, August 19, 2021
- 3 p.m. – College for Nursing and Health Innovation.
The speaker will be Steve Love, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council.
- 7 p.m. – College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs; Pedagogical College; College of Engineers; College of Liberal Arts; College of Sciences; Department of Academic Success (University Studies) and Honors College (Interdisciplinary Studies).
The speaker will be Harrison Keller, Texas State Commissioner for Higher Education.
Saturday, August 21, 2021
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