Formation of Supportive Networks in the Face of Adversity

Speakers’ Bio

Stephanie Espy received her BS in Chemical Engineering from MIT, her MS in Chemical Engineering from Berkeley, and her MBA from Emory University. She is Founder and CEO of MathSP, a company devoted to empowering the next generation of STEM leaders by inspiring, mentoring, and coaching them in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics content and careers. Founded to optimize the quality of STEM education provided in Georgia, USA, MathSP is an academic and test prep coaching company that has mastered the art of equipping students with a “math state of mind” while arming them with the strategies and insider “tricks” they need to ace standardized tests and attend the schools of their dreams. MathSP is home to STEM professionals who just happen to be some of the nation’s best STEM educators as well as Georgia Tech and Emory University students that belong to groundbreaking research labs and aspire to become STEM leaders. Together, we are fueled by a desire to impart STEM fluency – the ability to problem solve, think critically and logically, apply theory and innovate – to our students and build their confidence as self-sufficient, lifelong learners.

Dr. Silvia Peppoloni received her undergraduate degree in Geology, and her PhD in Earth Sciences both from the Sapienza University of Rome. She is a PhD researcher at the Italian Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, her activity covers the fields of engineering geology, geological hazards and risks. She is a frontliner among the international proponents of Geoethics, Secretary General of the IAPG – Intern. Assoc. for Promoting Geoethics, coordinator of the Section on Geoethics and Geological Culture (Italian Geological Society), member of the Executive Council of the IAEG Italia – Intern. Assoc. Engineering Geology Environment.

Prof. Ezzoura Errami is a Moroccan lecturer/researcher with a strong academic grounding in Earth Sciences field and over 16 years experience in international geoscientific professional organizations. She is currently the Dean of the Polydisciplinary Faculty of Safi. She was a full Professor at the Geology Department of Chouaïb Doukkali University (Morocco) where she did her “Doctorat Es-Sciences” in 2001 in collaboration with Ruprecht Karls University (Germany). Her current major research interests include petrology, geochemistry, structural geology, geoheritage, geotourism, geoeducation, sustainable development and gender related studies in geosciences. She is also author and coauthor of numerous scientific papers, conference papers, books, reports and guidebooks.

Dr. Ana Ferreras obtained her BS in Electrical Engineering and PhD in Industrial ENgineering from the University of Central Florida, and a MA in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. She is currently a Senior Program Officer at the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine where she developes and manages multiple complex programs with national and international impact, including: Managed five U.S. National Committees in Engineering, Math and Physical Sciences, and Education. Supervised over 100 volunteers in the U.S. and established national and international collaborations to advance STEM capacity in the U.S. and overseas. Collaborated with federal agencies, international organizations, scientific unions, professional societies, universities, national labs and research centers. Successfully obtained funding for new and continuing activities from both private sector and federal sources.