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 in the College of Science and Health, generously supported by Dr. Linda C. Degutis (’75, BS Nursing). 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 2nd Annual Lecture of the series will feature Dr. Vicky Kalogera.

This year's lecture was titled "Einstein's Waves: Cosmic Sounds from Black Holes and Neutron Stars" and was presented by Dr. Vicky Kalogera of Northwestern University. Dr. Kalogera is an expert in the astrophysics of compact objects, black holes and neutron stars (the death remnants of stars), studying their formation and evolution especially in systems of multiple stars. In 2018 she was elected to the National Academy of Sciences and in 2021 to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

About the Donor:
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. Degutis, 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.

Follow this link to hear Dr. Degutis' personal perspective on the importance and long-term impact of this lecture series: Linda C. Degutis - Scholarship Focus.

2021 Lecture: "On the Origins of Gender: Brain Sex Differences, Neuroplasticity, and Women's Advancement in STEM" - Dr. Lise Eliot, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

2022 Lecture: "Einstein's Waves: Cosmic Sounds from Black Holes and Neutron Stars" - Dr. Vicky Kalogera of Northwestern University.

A recording of the 2021 lecture can be found here. The 2021 lecture program can be found here: 2021 Program - Dr. Eliot.pdf

A recording of the 2022 lecture will be posted on the College of Science and Health YouTube channel as soon as it is available.

The Lecture Series Legacy

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.