Citizen Science Lab founder talks with South Fayette students
Anyone who has ever struggled with a quadratic equation or a Bunsen burner can take comfort in the knowledge that Andre Samuel once failed microbiology and chemistry classes.
However, that didn无毛视频檛 prevent him from ultimately earning a doctorate in biology at Duquesne University and founding and leading the Citizen Science Lab. The Citizen Science Lab is designed to help students in disadvantaged communities learn about the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. One location is in the Landmark Building in Bethel Park while another is in the works in Pittsburgh无毛视频檚 Hill District.
无毛视频淚 didn无毛视频檛 like science classes, though I liked science,无毛视频� Samuel said. He talked about his life and work at South Fayette High School on Feb. 12 for a Black History Month event sponsored by the school无毛视频檚 SHOUT (Social Handprints Overcoming Unjust Treatment) organization.
An aversion to science classes wasn无毛视频檛 the only hurdle facing Samuel 无毛视频� the product of a broken home, he had a tough upbringing in Washington, D.C., where addiction and 无毛视频渟leeping on the streets无毛视频� were part of the picture. He cites Thanksgiving morning in 1995 as the day he woke up 无毛视频渇rom a terrible binge无毛视频� and decided to point his life in a newer and healthier direction.
无毛视频淗ip hop and 无毛视频楽tar Wars无毛视频� kept me grounded,无毛视频� according to Samuel. 无毛视频淭here were rap artists who had messages of advancement for people of color. 无毛视频� I identified with the dark side and the Force. I would often say to myself, 无毛视频楧on无毛视频檛 fall into the dark side.'无毛视频�
Samuel eventually earned a biology degree at the General University of the District of Columbia, then another degree from George Washington University in genomics and bioinformatics, both fields that involve the study of DNA. He received his degree from Duquesne after moving to the area in 2004 when his wife started attending the University of Pittsburgh Law School. They were here on a 无毛视频渢hree-year plan,无毛视频� Samuel noted, but 无毛视频渨e无毛视频檝e been here ever since.无毛视频� As a scientist, his specialties include the development of a vaccine for hookworm, the toxicology of certain drugs and the reactivation of tuberculosis in nonhuman primates.
In 2015, Samuel founded the Citizen Science Lab with the idea that children 无毛视频� particularly those who might not have considered a career in the sciences 无毛视频� would have access to a laboratory and tools close to where they live. The South Hills location has multiple labs, and last April ground was broken for a $5.8 million facility in the Hill District on the site of what had been the Martin Luther King Jr. Reading and Cultural Center. Once it无毛视频檚 completed, it will be called the MLK Center for Scientific Excellence, and will have a space for drone aviation, public art spaces, quiet study spaces, a greenhouse and more.
Samuel emphasized the importance of connecting with other people throughout a career.
无毛视频淣etworking is a huge part of your success,无毛视频� he said. 无毛视频淣etworking got me the half-million dollars to start the Citizen Science Lab.无毛视频�
He did recently take a three-month sabbatical, but Samuel said he is still very much committed to the Citizen Science Lab.
无毛视频淚 never considered not going back,无毛视频� Samuel said. 无毛视频淚 came back fired up. I无毛视频檓 not going anywhere. It无毛视频檚 very hard to leave what you built yourself.无毛视频�