Abstract:

Dr. Catherine Woytowicz has done all of the things listed in the talk title!

Forensic science is a current hot topic.  Catherine has worked in this field and is currently writing a book on the subject. Comments and perspectives about this area of science will be shared.

What is it like to work in science policy for the State Department, taking U.S. positions overseas and making them stick?  How does the U.S. government operate in a world culture and also within international organizations?  Science is becoming more and more important in international negotiations and Dr. Woytowicz will provide an inside look on how the “name” and “no name” people make and implement policy.

Congress, the Executive Branch and government agencies require technical help on science matters.  The ACS and other organizations provide this support and advice. Insights to this career will be provided.

Do you speak science and like to write?  Can you really make money doing technical and scientific writing?  If you have the interest and drive, you can write anything from articles for popular science magazines to movie scripts to textbooks.  Find out how to start.

We are all teachers.  Could you be a mentor?  In three years, Catherine has produced more Goldwater, Hughes, and Fulbright fellows than anyone at her university. Is there a secret?

Expect a memorable talk and question and answer session.

Biography: 

Dr. Catherine Woytowicz was born and raised in Park Ridge, IL, a suburb of Chicago.  Catherine’s undergraduate degree in chemistry is from the Honors Program at Loyola University of Chicago.  Her Ph.D., also in chemistry, is from the University California, Riverside.  She has taught organic chemistry at Chicago’s Loyola University, The George Washington University, and – in the spring – will teach at Georgetown.  She has served as the American Chemical Society’s Science Policy Fellow (1999 – 2001) and as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Diplomacy Fellow at the Department of State (2002 – 2004).

At State, she coordinated the Eastern Europe portfolio (geographic focus).  Her issues portfolio covered biotechnology, education, biological and chemical terrorism, and nanotechnology.  Catherine acted as liaison to the Organization for Economic and Cooperative Development’s Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy and its sub-bodies specializing in biotechnology.  She worked closely with 14 countries (posts) and 2 Hubs (Copenhagen and Budapest) to cover regional issues.  Catherine also interacted with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on strategies for U.S. science and technology that intersected her portfolio.

She is committed to public outreach about civic science and has spoken at several schools - including Washington D.C.’s celebrated School Without Walls – on the value of science as a career choice in nontraditional fields.  She coaches public speaking skills including television preparation for Toastmasters and helped produce a television show with Broadcasters, a Chicago-based advanced chapter of Toastmasters.  In her spare time, Catherine writes and maintains a consulting practice in technical writing.  She also tours as a stand-up comedienne and jazz entertainer.  Catherine is currently writing a book on forensic science, and she does research and mentors students in career development including nontraditional science jobs such as public policy work at The George Washington University and Georgetown.