This café discussion will address how academic researchers can strategize to restart their research projects after the abrupt halts due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. While faculty and students across the nation are all navigating this pandemic together, our speakers have experience working through a similar unexpected stop and restart due to other major disruptors such as Hurricane Katrina and the Federal shutdown. The panelists will provide useful insight to navigate our current situation, including how to maximize this interim time, logistical strategies to prepare for re-entry, managing expectations and the role of institutional leaders, and maintaining productivity while working through emotional trauma. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in live Q&A during the event.

Speakers:
Dr. Sylvia Carey-Butler, Chief Diversity Officer, Kennesaw State University (former Assistant Provost and Dean of Honors at Dillard University in New Orleans, LA)
Dr. Mary Crowe, Associate Provost of Experiential Education, Professor of Biology, Florida Southern College (former Director of Center for Undergraduate Research & Associate Professor of Biology, Xavier University of Louisiana)
Dr. Anthony St. Leger, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Immunology University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (former Postdoctoral Fellow at NIH National Eye Institute)

Moderator:
Dr. Irene Aninye, Senior Program Associate, AAAS Research Competitiveness Program