Celebrating STEM Week 2026
STEM Week 2026 will be held from April 13 to April 17, 2026.
STEM Division’s STEM Week connects students to opportunities, academic pathways, and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Students can explore STEM fields and careers through fun research talks, career panels, hands-on activities and demonstrations, and a field trip. Participants can prepare for success with skill-building workshops, information panels on scholarships, and College resources, and get crucial tips to promote their success and overall well-being.
All sessions are free!
Schedule of Events
Click on each date below to see the full event listing.
- Choose question
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Monday, April 13
Pathway to Becoming a #FutureDoc
11 a.m.–Noon
Presenter: Tony Mancuso, M.Ed, A-CSPO (AAMC)
Format: Virtual
Things I Wish I Knew in College
Noon–1 p.m.
Presenter: Cassandra Moore-Crawford, Ph.D. (PGCC)
Exciting Research and Careers in Physics and Astronomy
1–2 p.m.
Presenters: Kylie Yui Dan (UMD); Yash Arya Gursahani (UMD)
My Internship Experience
2–3 p.m.
Presenters: Tremayne (Kai) Albert (PGCC); Joshua Budram (UMD, PGCC Alumnus); Emmanuel Obiyo (UMD, PGCC Alumnus); Elio Raimundo (UMD, PGCC Alumnus); Emily Venegas (PGCC)
Careers in Technology
3–4 p.m.
Presenters: Professor Folashade Adeleke (PGCC); Kunle Adeleke (AWS); Ola Ajiniran (AWS); Harshil Shah (AWS)
Crafting Your Personal Statement
4–5 p.m.
Presenters: Professor Paul Assanah (PGCC); Professor Michelle Klein (PGCC)
Chemistry Career Panel: Pathways from Classroom to Career
5–6 p.m.
Presenters: Chris Bradley, Ph.D. (DOE); Ravi Duggempudi (CUA); Emily [last name/affiliation needed]
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Tuesday, April 14
Science Meets Compassion: Understanding Trap-Neuter-Return
11 a.m.–Noon
Presenters: Nikolette Cochran (RRAR); Danielle Murphy (ACLR)
Format: Hybrid: Chesapeake Hall, Rm. 309 and Virtually
Preparing for Careers in Engineering: Opportunities at the University of the District of Columbia
Noon–1 p.m.
Presenters: Pradeep Behera, Ph.D., P.E.; Max Denis, Ph.D.; Kate Klein, Ph.D.; JiaJun Xu, Ph.D., P.E. (all UDC)
Format: Virtual
Becoming a Cybersecurity Advocate
1–2 p.m.
Presenter: Bolaji Roberts (PGCC)
Format: Virtual
Physics is Fun!
1–2:30 p.m.
Presenters: Physics Students: Tremayne Albert, Julian Chevez, Josh Joseph, Guylianne Kwajo, Basir Mercer, Anna Nana, Bradley Nebafu, Arieli Osorio, with Professor Thomas Wysocki (PGCC)
Location: Chesapeake Hall, Rm. 305
Why Is It So Hard to be Happy
2–3 p.m.
Presenter: Luis Castellanos (PGCC)
Location: Chesapeake Hall, Rm. 309
Financial Lifestyle of a STEM Professional: Beliefs, Expectations, Choices, and Opportunities
3–4 p.m.
Presenter: Heath Carelock (FEC, PGCC)
Format: Virtual
Becoming a Competitive Applicant
4–5 p.m.
Presenters: Paul Assanah (PGCC); Michelle Klein (PGCC)
Format: Hybrid — Chesapeake Hall, Rm. 309 and Virtually
Exploring Research Opportunities in Chemistry Labs at PGCC: A Conversation with Your Peers
5–6 p.m.
Presenters: David Case (PGCC); Chidumebi Maduka (PGCC); Samantha Mitchell (PGCC); Victor Ogunlaja (PGCC)
Format: Hybrid — Chesapeake Hall, Rm. 114 and Virtually
Leonhard Euler: The Shakespeare of Mathematics
6–7 p.m.
Presenter: David Simpson, Ph.D. (NASA GSFC)
Format: Hybrid — Chesapeake Hall, Rm. 309 and Virtually
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Wednesday, April 15
Demonstrating STEM in the Workplace: S.T.E.M. = Show up, Tell your story, Embrace individuality, Make an impact
Noon–1 p.m.
Presenter: Dyone Payne (PGCC)
Format: Virtual
An Introductory Guide to Graduate School, Applications, & Funding for Engineers
2–3 p.m.
Presenter: Teresa Thoundayil (UMD)
Format: Virtual
Breaking Into Things and Other Ways to Work in Information Security
3–4 p.m.
Presenter: Tracy Maleeff (Sherpa Int.)
Format: Virtual
Ask the Experts: Careers in Biomedical Sciences
3–4:30 p.m.
Presenters: Vic Bodie II, Ph.D. (FDA); Belen Hurle, Ph.D. (NIH); Hailey Maranto, PA-C (Orthopedic Surgery PA); Hanan Musharef, RN, BSN (PGCC)
Format: Virtual
Tips for Success: Let's Ask Former and Current Students
5–6 p.m.
Presenters: Jesutofunmi (JT) Akerele (PGCC); Joshua Budram (UMD, PGCC Alumnus); Tanya Cordoza (PGCC); Leon Okojie (PGCC); Elio Raimundo (UMD, PGCC Alumnus); Emily Venegas (PGCC)
Format: Virtual
Opportunities for You at Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland
6–7 p.m.
Presenters: Barclay Satterfield, Ph.D. (UMD); Noelle Vargas, Ph.D. (JHU)
Format: Virtual
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Thursday, April 16
Career Opportunities at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
11 a.m.–Noon
Presenters: Morgan Haynes (NRL, PGCC Alumnus); Michael Walder (NRL, PGCC Alumnus)
Format: Virtual
So You Want to be a Data Scientist
Noon–1 p.m.
Presenter: Anna Engelsone, Ph.D. (Villanova University)
Format: Virtual
Engineering for Fire Safety
1–2 p.m.
Presenter: James Milke, Ph.D., P.E. (UMD)
Format: Hybrid — Chesapeake Hall, Rm. 309 and Virtually
Circle Packing for Optimization of an X-ray Telescope on the Space Station
2–3 p.m.
Presenter: Keith Gendreau, Ph.D. (NASA GSFC)
Format: Virtual
Resumé, Interview, and Dressing for Success
3–4 p.m.
Presenters: Paul Van Cleef, Ed.D. (PGCC); Janghyuk (Jay) Lee (PGCC); Devin Richards, Th.D. (PGCC)
Format: Hybrid — Chesapeake Hall, Rm. 309 and Virtually
AI Security
4–5 p.m.
Presenter: Meerim Musabaeva (IMO Health)
Format: Virtual
From Community College to NASA: Explore Beyond Boundaries
5–6 p.m.
Presenters: Enricque Lee (NASA GRC); Blanche Meeson, Ph.D. (NASA GSFC); Nicole Schoenstein (NASA JSC, Aegis Aerospace); Alvin Ward, II, Ph.D. (NASA JSC, San Jacinto College)
Format: Virtual
The Mathematics of Art
6–7 p.m.
Presenter: PremRaj Ruffin (PGCC)
Format: Hybrid — Chesapeake Hall, Rm. 309 and Virtually
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Friday, April 17
NASA: Preparing the Future Workforce
11 a.m.–Noon
Presenters: Alicia Baturoni-Cortez (NASA JSC); Torry Johnson (NASA HQ); Ebony Moreen (NASA GRC)
Format: Virtual
Our Students are STEM's Brightest Stars!
Noon–1 p.m.
Presenters: Eno Amana (PGCC); Zainab Aorowana (PGCC); Farid Cruz (UMD, PGCC Alumnus); Basir Mercer (PGCC); Christian Polanco (PGCC); Emily Venegas (PGCC)
Format: Virtual
M^3: Making Math Magnetic
1–2 p.m.
Presenters: Kameswari Tekumalla (PGCC); Maria Jane Thoundayil (PGCC); Andrew Young (PGCC); James Gaines (PGCC)
Location: Chesapeake Hall, Rm. 109
Basic Microscope Skills Workshop
2–3 p.m.
Presenter: Cyrus Sadeghian (PGCC)
Format: Hybrid — Chesapeake Hall, Rm. 209 | Limited Seats
Intro to Programming, Using Java
3–4 p.m.
Presenter: Homer Sharafi, Ph.D. (PGCC)
Format: Virtual
STEM Collegian Center: Let's Succeed Together
4–5 p.m.
Presenter: Tracy Ring (PGCC)
Format: Virtual
View the Flyer
View our 2026 S.T.E.M. Week Schedule for session details and event highlights.
Contact Us
Dr. Neeharika Thakur
301-546-0605
thakurnx@pgcc.edu