Keynote Speaker

Dr. Todd Newman, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Todd P. Newman is an assistant professor in the Department of Life Sciences Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an affiliate of the Robert F. and Jean E. Holtz Center for Science & Technology Studies and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. His teaching responsibilities include courses in strategic communication and marketing. Newman’s research focuses on the role of strategic communication within the context of science, technology, and the environment. This includes recent work examining the role of communication training in supporting scientists’ communication and engagement goals, including developing innovative methods for evaluation. Newman is also interested in integrating frameworks from marketing and branding with the “science of science communication” to develop new insights into how the scientific community connects to a changing society. 

Career Panelists

Brian Davis, National Cancer Institute's Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities

In 2019, Brian joined the National Cancer Institute’s Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD), first as Senior Health Communications Specialist and subsequently as Communications Manager. The Center works to reduce cancer disparities and increase workforce diversity in cancer research. Brian leads communication and dissemination efforts for the Center and serves as the Communications Point of Contact for the NIH-wide Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation (FIRST)  program. Before his time with NCI, Brian worked for nearly three years at the American College of Gastroenterology, where he served as Director of Media Relations and Managing Editor and Senior Writer for the College’s magazine. From 2008-2016, Brian served in several communications and publications positions at the American Health Law Association. Brian holds a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in History from the University of South Carolina. He lives in Kensington, MD with his wife and two children.

Sam Kean, Author

Sam Kean is the New York Times bestselling author of six books, including The Icepick Surgeon, The Bastard Brigade, The Dueling Neurosurgeons, and The Disappearing Spoon. His books have won multiple international awards for literary science writing, and his work has been featured on NPR’s “Radiolab,” “All Things Considered,” and “Fresh Air.” His podcast, The Disappearing Spoon, debuted at #1 on the iTunes charts for science podcasts.

Dr. Stephanie Wickham, Cytovance

Dr. Stephanie Wickham has over 20 years' experience in research and industry cell culture and protein purification. Graduate and postdoctoral fellowships worked with biotechnology industry relevant techniques from mammalian and microbial hosts working on structure/function protein interactions and developing small molecule enzyme inhibitors. Stephanie's primary focus for many years was building and leading Manufacturing Sciences and Technology team. More recently, her focus has shifted to building and leading the Research and Development team at Cytovance. Areas of experience include mammalian and microbial protein expression systems and their translation to manufacturing scale. Stephanie received a BS in Chemistry & Mathematics and a PhD in Microbiology.