This spring, the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) organization hosted its annual Norma Slepecky Memorial Lecture and Award Ceremony. The event featured Joan-Emma Shea as the distinguished guest speaker. Shea, a professor at UC Santa Barbara, delivered a lecture titled “Self-Assembly of the Tau Protein: Computational Insights Into Neurodegeneration.” She is recognized for her work in chemistry, biochemistry, and physics and holds fellowships with several prestigious societies. Additionally, she is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Physical Chemistry A/B/C.
The ceremony also highlighted student achievements by presenting the Norma Slepecky Undergraduate Research Prize. This year’s prize was awarded to Tessa DiCicco ’25, a biomedical engineering student at the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Her paper on tibial tubercle osteotomy received unanimous approval from the review committee. Co-nominated by assistant professor Era Jain and Dr. Timothy Damron, DiCicco has collaborated with Damron for three years on research that focuses on anatomical measurements for orthopedic device design.
Era Jain commented on DiCicco’s dedication: “What sets Tessa apart is her enthusiasm for research, her ability to grasp complex scientific concepts quickly and her persistence in pursuing new challenges.”
The Norma Slepecky Undergraduate Research Prize commemorates Syracuse University Professor Norma Slepecky, an auditory neuroanatomist known for her contributions to undergraduate research mentorship. WiSE has been supporting women in STEM since 1999 through various programs across 18 departments within six schools and colleges at Syracuse University.
WiSE continues to promote equity and provide resources for success in STEM fields through community building and leadership development.
For more information about WiSE or Norma Slepecky, visit their social media @TheSUwise on Instagram or LinkedIn.
