Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Hosts the Spring Science & Technology Brain Trust at the U.S. News STEM Solutions Conference

Congresswoman Johnson address the hundreds of students that attended the science & technology brain trust.

Washington, DC – (Friday, April 25, 2014) – Today, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson hosted her 22nd annual Science and Technology Brain Trust as part of the U.S. News STEM Solutions Conference. This year’s panel centered on expanding minority participation in the STEM fields. The event was attended by hundreds of Washington D.C. area middle and high school students and STEM professionals from around the globe.

“I founded the Brain Trust over 20 years ago in order to identify strategies to broaden participation in the sciences and to inspire minority youth to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM),” said Congresswoman Johnson. “The Brain Trust brings together celebrities, community leaders, and mentors to achieve this goal.”

As the first female and first African American Ranking Member on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, Congresswoman Johnson founded the Brain Trust in order to identify opportunities for youth to believe in what they can achieve by being exposed to positive examples. The panelists connected with the students in attendance by discussing their various paths to success in their respective fields.  Students were able to ask questions of the panelists and receive advice on how to successfully pursue various STEM careers

This year’s panel included a diverse array of scientists, educators and business professionals.  The panel was moderated by Veronica Johnson, meteorologist at NBC4 in Washington D.C. Other panelists included Dr. Juan E. Gilbert, Presidential Endowed Professor at Clemson University, Dr. Julian Earls, former director of NASA Glenn Research Center, Dr. Njema Frazier,  National Nuclear Security Administration, Dr. Clifton Poodry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Nicholas Lombardo, student at Central Connecticut State University and winner of the TI-Nspire contest, Jeff Livingston, McGraw Hill Education, Saundra Johnson Austin, NACME, Ms. Donna Woodall, Microsoft Corporation, and Kate Sheerin of Google.

###

U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the ranking member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Kessler Park, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, South Dallas & South Oak Cliff; all of Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Ferris, Glenn Heights, South Grand Prairie, Oak Lawn, Ovilla, Uptown/Victory Park and West Dallas.