William J. Degutis Women in Science and Health Lecture Series

The William J. Degutis Women in Science and Health Lecture Series is an annual event sponsored by the College of Science and Health. The purposes of the lecture series are to promote the accomplishments of women in the natural and health sciences and in the closely related fields, as well as create scholarship and community among faculty, students, staff, and the public. Each lecture is presented by a prominent scientist at the forefront of these fields, and the speaker usually participates in additional programming with DePaul students and faculty.

The inaugural lecture, given by Dr. Lise Eliot, will take place virtually on April 28th, 2021 at 4:30pm. (register here) Dr. Lise Eliot is Professor of Neuroscience and Executive Chair of Foundational Sciences & Humanities at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

The William J. Degutis Women in Science and Health Lecture Series has been generously supported by DePaul alumna Linda C. Degutis'75, BS Nursing, DrPH, MSN, FRSPH. Dr. Degutis is a nationally recognized leader for her policy, advocacy, and work on initiatives focusing on prevention of violence and injury, in addition to suicide prevention and intervention. She is also the former Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention & Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is currently a member of the CSH Advisory Council. The lecture series is named after Dr. Degutis' father, William J. Degutis. Mr. Deguitis, a WWII veteran, worked at Ford Motor Company and for the US Department of the Interior - Federal Water Pollution Control Administration for many years protecting waterways. He instilled in his daughter a similar love for science and public service.

The predecessor of this series was the Jeanne LaDuke Women in Mathematics, Science and Technology Annual Lecture Series, which ran from 2005 through 2016. (click here for past speakers and titles) The LaDuke Lecture Series honored Dr. Jeanne LaDuke, Associate Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, who taught at DePaul for 30+ years and conducted groundbreaking research on the contributions of women mathematicians in the early twentieth century in the United States.