SUTS Organizers @BFL,
Fall 2024
Connecting
Science and Community
I am the Co-president of Science Under The Stars (SUTS), a free, student-led public science lecture series in Austin, Texas. Held monthly outdoors at UT Austin's Brackenridge Field Laboratory along Colorado River, SUTS offers an evening of science and exploration for all ages. Each month, a graduate student from Integrative Biology of UT Austin presents on a fascinating topic, ranging from coral reefs to insects to plant molecular science to fermentation. Events also feature kids' activities, natural history displays, guided tours, merch sales, and free food, creating a welcoming space to learn, connect, and celebrate science in the Austin community!
Check out our Fall 2024 schedule on the left. For more information, please visit our website and social media!
Check out our most recent SUTS talk!
NdiSTEM, Oct 2023
Promoting Diversity
and Equity in STEM
I am involved in the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Chapter at UT Austin, where I previously served as an officer. SACNAS, the largest multicultural STEM diversity organization in the U.S., is dedicated to fostering success for Chicano, Hispanic, and Native American students and professionals in academia and workforce. Our chapter supports this mission by offering workshops, networking events, and engaging activities to build community and professional skills.
In 2023, I had the opportunity to attend SACNAS’s annual conference, NDiSTEM, in Portland, Oregon, where I represented UT Austin’s Graduate School to connect with and recruit prospective students.
Celebrating Fossils and Museum Collections
For the past three years, I have had the privilege of representing Jackson School Museum of Earth History with UT's paleontology community at the annual Fossil Fest hosted by the Paleontological Society of Austin. This event brings together fossil enthusiasts of all ages to celebrate the wonders of paleontology. During Fossil Fest, I engage with the public by introducing the fossil specimens curated at the museum's collections and sharing insights from my own research projects. The next Fossil Fest will take place in November 2025, and I look forward to participating once again.
Fossil Fest, Fall 2022
And More...
Here are a few more outreach programs that I've participated in.
Click on the icons to check out these amazing opportunities!
Check out the Texas Science Festival, hosted by College of Natural Sciences from Feb 21 to Mar 2, 2025!
This biennial festival is a chance to dive into fascinating STEM discoveries through talks, interactive demos, and hands-on activities.
Explore STEM Girl Day at UT Austin on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 11 to 4 pm! This free, family-friendly event offers K-8 students hands-on activities led by UT scientists and engineers. Hosted by Women in STEM (WiSTEM), all genders are welcome to join the fun!
Hot Science – Cool Talks is hosted by UT Austin’s Environmental Science Institute (ESI). This series offers the public a front-row seat to groundbreaking STEM research through six talks every year.
Art & Graphic Design
Growing up, I practiced Chinese calligraphy and landscape painting, finding focus in these traditional arts. Adulthood, however, has made it harder to return to them, with life often feeling too fast-paced to pick up my brushes again. Now, I channel my creativity into managing social media, designing posters, and occasionally creating illustrations and logos for science communication efforts. One day, I hope to find the time and calm to reconnect with my brushes.
xuxu(at)utexas(dot)edu
Address
2415 Speedway #C0930
Austin, TX 78712