Seminar Series

When: Tuesdays 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., twice a month
Where: Bldg 8. Room 8-302
or Join on Zoom
Questions? Contact Denise Hum at humd@smccd.edu

Many past Seminars are available on our YouTube channel.

The Science in Action Seminar Series is presented in partnership with the Skyline College Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Division, and the Math, Engineering, Science Achievement Program (MESA).

The seminar series is free and open to the public. Topics vary and are geared not only toward science, but to the entire college experience! We encourage all students to attend regardless of major. Attendance confirmation slips will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there!

If you're interested in presenting and attending the Science in Action Seminar Series, please contact Denise Hum.

Upcoming Sessions:

Beyond Skyline: Research, Transfer, and the STEM Journey

September 1, 2026 | 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.  | Meeting Link
Samanta Chang and Joncarlo Estrada, Transfer Students and Research Interns

Samanta Chang Kuoman recently transferred from Skyline College to UC Berkeley to study Data Science and conducted research through Stanford’s SURF Bay Area program with the Stanford Trustworthy AI Research (STAIR) Group. Joncarlo Estrada recently transferred to San Francisco State University to study Biology and conducted research in Stanford’s FUNR Lab through the Community College Outreach Program (CCOP).

How to Prepare an Effective Technical Poster

September 15, 2026 | 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.  | Meeting Link
Celeste Matarazzo | Cybersecurity Researcher, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Celeste Matarazzo is a computer scientist and data science expert who has spent more than three decades at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory where she serves as senior advisor for Cybersecurity Research for National Security and is a member of the Department of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board. She previously held numerous technical and leadership roles throughout her career at LLNL focusing on the application of data science to address global security issues. Celeste loves the outdoors, and she once biked 3,850 miles across the U.S. to raise money for hospice care.

My Journey as a Biomedical Scientist: Insights from the Biotech Industry

October 6, 2026 | 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.  | Meeting Link
Martha Marquez Ramirez, Skyline College Alumna & Senior Research Associate, Revolution Medicines

From bench to bedside, the biotech industry offers exciting career paths to scientists. As a Senior Research Associate, Martha is part of an innovative biotech company that aims to find new therapeutics to some of the toughest cancers. She performs research in Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry, understanding how proteins interact with each other to bring the next generation of cancer treatments. Come join us to learn more about the Research & Development process in a biotech company, and the day-to-day as a biomedical research scientist. 

The Future of Computing Beyond Moore's Law

October 20, 2026 | 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.  | Meeting Link
John Shalf, Department Head for Computer Science, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

John has spent his career working in computer science and high-performance computing, with more than 100 published research papers and years of experience developing powerful computer systems for scientific research. He is a 2024–2027 Distinguished Lecturer for the IEEE Electronics Packaging Society and helped create the Cactus software toolkit, which is used to solve complex scientific problems with computers.

Chemistry in Action: A Chemist's Journey in Drug Discovery

November 3, 2026 | 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.  | Meeting Link
Dr. Christian Gampe, Senior Director in Discovery Chemistry, Genentech

A native of Germany, Christian turned his love for high school chemistry into a global career discovering new medicines. After completing his education across Germany, Switzerland, and the US, he joined the pharmaceutical industry on the East Coast. Today, Christian works in the Bay Area, where he focuses on cutting-edge drug discovery in oncology, immunology, and cardiovascular disease.