The Hill-Lopes Scholarship Program presents “The Dive of a Lifetime to the Deepest Place on Earth” with Dr. Dawn Wright

Thurs. Oct. 26
4 p.m.
Science Complex
RSVP Here

The Hill-Lopes Scholars Program and Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics at Towson University present Dawn Wright, Ph.D. as she shares the results of her recent mission to Challenger Deep—the deepest place on Earth.

Learn more at www.towson.edu/HillLopesEvents

Dr. Dawn Wright is Chief Scientist of the Environmental Systems Research Institute (aka Esri), a world-leading geographic information system (GIS) software and data science company. Core to Esri’s mission is to inspire and enable people to positively impact their future by connecting them with the geoanalytic knowledge needed to make the critical decisions shaping the planet. Hence, Esri believes that geography is at the heart of a more resilient and sustainable future.

Dawn has authored or co-authored over 200 articles and 13 books on geographic information science, as well as deep ocean mapping and conservation. She has participated in over 20 oceanographic research expeditions throughout the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Southern Oceans. In 1991 she became the first Black female to dive to the ocean floor in the deep submersible Alvin. On July 12, 2022 she became the first Black person of any gender to dive to Challenger Deep, the deepest point on Earth, and to successfully operate a portable side scan sonar at that full-ocean depth.

As Chief Scientist, Dawn is responsible for strengthening the scientific foundation for Esri software and services, while representing Esri to the international scientific community. As such, she has served on many advisory boards including the NOAA and EPA Science Advisory Boards, the National Academy of Sciences Ocean Studies Board, and the Science Advisory Boards of Conservation International, COMPASS Science Communication, and the Ocean Discovery XPRIZE. Dawn is also Professor of Geography and Oceanography at Oregon State University. She has been elected to both the National Academies of Sciences and of Engineering, as well as the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Follow her @deepseadawn!

This event is hosted by the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program. Funded by the generosity of Barbara Hill and Ancelmo Lopes, the program supports women in STEM at Towson University and aims to retain women in the STEM workforce.

Attendance is free and open to the entire TU campus and community. A dessert reception will follow Dr. Wright’s talk. For questions or special accommodations, please contact the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program at hill-lopes@towson.edu or 410-704-2275.

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This post was written by Charles, Amanda G.