Auxiliary Board Bios

Adam Arcus

There aren’t many engineers that become marketers but there aren’t many like Adam Arcus, Director of March For Science Chicago. Graduating from the University of Illinois in Mechanical Engineering, Adam was an accomplished applications engineer in power and automation. However, he saw a disconnect in how the public received complex information and how it was presented. Utilizing his natural talent for visual storytelling, he led global marketing efforts in HVAC and Water and started content strategy consulting. Adam sees nearly every detail of beautiful chaos in organizing a movement and directing narratives. He was inspired to organize the March for Science Chicago by his love for science, his sense of community and justice, and his desire to see Chicago recognized for the science city it is. He believes “a scientific heart beats in the chest of the city of broad shoulders.” At home and abroad, Adam loves good coffee, high quality scotch, his playful chocolate lab and his perfect wife. He hates business socks.

 

Andie Asimes

Coming Soon

 

Mark Christian

Mark Christian is Post Doctoral research associate at Argonne National Laboratory with a passion for using science to positively impact the world. Whether it is through his research on the nexus of energy, water and economics or his focus on mentoring the next generation of scientists, Mark believes that championing the use of science in the broader world is a catalyst for change. He received his PhD in Energy Science and Engineering from the University of Tennessee, an interdisciplinary degree which provides students with the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research at the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory while pursuing simultaneous experience in Policy and Entrepreneurship. His graduate research into Hydropower Flow Measurement was supported by the Hydro Research Foundation and he is expanding on this during his Postdoctoral work by developing tools for industry to maximize the value and reliability of hydropower assets. Mark Christian looks forward to working with C2ST to improve public engagement with the scientific process.

 

Gillian Frackelton

Gillian Frackelton is the Senior Special Projects Lead at Uptake Technologies, where she manages executive communications and special projects for the Office of the CEO. Prior to her role at Uptake, Gillian was the Director of Strategic Projects at the US Ambassador’s Residence in Ottawa, Canada from 2013-2016, where she worked for the U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman and Mrs. Vicki Heyman, managing and coordinating strategic partnerships, events, communications, and U.S. Department of State initiatives. Gillian was a corps member in Teach for America in Chicago from 2011-2013. She is an Auxiliary Board Member for the Chicago Council on Science and Technology and she has worked with or advised various organizations such as Embarc, Chicago Ideas Week, and the wndr museum.

 

Julia Haried

Coming Soon

 

Robert Kappers

Robert advocates for scientists and engineers to secure and enforce their intellectual property.  At Steptoe & Johnson, LLP, Robert’s practice focuses on patent litigation for technologies of all types, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer electronics. Robert also volunteers for the Chicago’s Domestic Violence Legal Clinic and National Immigrant Justice Center. Robert received a B.S. in Chemical and Bimolecular Engineering from Ohio State University. He then decided to pursue a career helping fellow scientists and engineers navigate complicated legal issues, which often arise when developing cutting-edge technologies. Robert received his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where he was valedictorian of his graduating class. Robert moved from Ohio to Chicago to join its vibrant intellectual property legal community. As a member of the C2ST Auxiliary Board, Robert continues to partner with scientists and engineers in the Chicago community to promote awareness and appreciation of science. Robert now lives in Highland Park with his wife, Emily.  In his free time, he enjoys traveling, running, and walking their two dogs, Vivienne and Louie.

 

Shyama Majumdar

Shyama Majumdar is the Oncology Ventures Associate at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and her role is create new life sciences ventures in oncology. Prior to joining the Polsky Center, Shyama was a Research Assistant Professor at University of Illinois at Chicago where she conducted Prostate cancer research. While at UIC she also worked as program coordinator at IllinoisVENTURES where she oversaw the running of the proof-of-concept fund that funds early stage technologies developed at the university. Prior to this Shyama worked as a consulting program manager at EnterpriseWorks where she helped develop and manage their accelerator program.
Shyama moved to Chicago from Boston where she worked at Harvard Medical school, conducting bladder cancer research. She also worked for the Harvard Volunteer Consulting group providing services to a non-profit engaged in promoting start-ups in the Boston area. She earned a PhD and an MBA from the University of Delaware.
Originally from New Delhi, India, Shyama now lives in the West Loop with her husband (MBA ’18) and two daughters. In her free time she enjoys cooking, binge watching TV series on Netflix and reading.

 

Zuri McClelland

Coming Soon

 

Kathleen Slingerland

Kathleen Slingerland develops strategies and comprehensive dossiers for color additives in her role as Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Program Lead – Color Deployment at Mars Wrigley Confectionery. Outside of work, Kathleen enjoys live music and nearly all outdoor activities. She volunteers at multiple organizations for scientific and environmental causes, and hopes to help improve scientific literacy in current and future generations.

Kathleen holds a Master of Public Health Degree in the Environmental Health Sciences from the University of Minnesota, where she focused in Toxicology & Global Health. Kathleen obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology from Drake University. Prior to her current role, Kathleen has held toxicology and regulatory positions in global medical device and chemical industries.

 

Jessica Turner-Skoff

Despite starting her academic career researching and working with animals, Jessica’s interest quickly became rooted in plants. During her doctorate, she studied climate change in northern Alaska and the conservation of American ginseng as it relates to surface mining in Appalachia. After being a three-year recipient of the competitive ‘Botany in Action’ science communication fellowship through Phipps Conservatory, Jessica realized her passion was disseminating science. As The Morton Arboretum’s first ‘Treeologist,’ she plays a unique role in communicating, consulting, and promoting science and conservation with numerous stakeholders and audiences. While centered in the Science and Conservation Department, she supports the mission of The Morton Arboretum by working closely with the departments of Education, Collections, and Marketing to help catalyze tree advocacy by creatively making tree science, horticulture, and conservation relevant and accessible.