On Monday, August 29, 2016, Skyline College began the inaugural talk for the Science in Action Seminar series. Visiting our campus was the wonderful Dr. Abdalla Darwish, Professor of Physics from the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at Dillard University, New Orleans, Louisiana. He informed us that as a result of the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina over 10 years ago, his lab has been totally revamped. Dr. Darwish is unabashedly pro STEM. He stated that the world revolves around STEM students! STEM students are the ones who make the phones. STEM students are involved in building cars and machinery that entertains, feeds and takes care of us.
Professor Darwish’s lecture lasted over an hour and he talked about making a goal and sticking to it. He stated, “Never tell yourself that you cannot do it; don’t accept from anyone else that you cannot do it. Prove it to yourself.” He extoled all of the STEM students to be a part of the STEM movement for the good of us humans. He also stated that you need to do something not just for you or your future but for humanity. As a STEM student you are here to make the world a better place.
Dr. Darwish exuded confidence as he stood in front of us, but he told us a story that this was not always the case. He told of getting a zero on an exam in graduate school and thinking of quitting. He talked about how his family told him to stick it out and continue with school. In a typical scientific manner, he stated that people should always be honest, tell the truth in whatever you do, work hard and the good jobs and opportunities will come to you. After extoling the virtues of STEM, Dr. Darwish shared with us some of his research. Specifically his work in the field of thin film fabrication. This process is used to make the IC chips that we use in our computers and many new methods are in use.
If you would like to know more about the Science in Action Seminar Series and Dr. Darwish’s visit, please contact Cheryl Ajirotutu at ajirotutuc@smccd.edu.
Article and photos by Dr. Cheryl Ajirotutu and Dr. Tammy Robinson.
