Cagney Coomer Receives Inaugural SDB Trainee Science Communication Award

6/1/2020

Cagney Coomer, a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky Graduate Program in Biology, will receive the inaugural Society for Developmental Biology Trainee Science Communication Award for her great science communication and outreach efforts as a graduate student member of the Society. Coomer, who studied retinal development and regeneration in zebrafish with Ann Morris at the University of Kentucky, founded NERD SQUAD Inc, a non-profit that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math to encourage students to think critically, ask questions, and build confidence in their own intelligence. In her nominators' words, Coomer "created a holistic outreach program for girls of color that could serve as a template for diversity and inclusion in STEM.”  She collaborates with elementary schools to bring STEM-focused learning to fourth graders; brings interactive STEM activities to children in underrepresented communities; and trains high school students who may not see themselves as future scientists to become science mentors. Coomer will receive her award at the SDB 79th Annual Meeting ONLINE where she will speak about her project.

Last Updated 06/01/2020