The Tallahassee Scientific Society announces the award of their 2019 Gold Medal to Dr. Laura Greene, Chief Scientist at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. The Society’s Gold Medal, established in 2004, is bestowed annually on a scientist or scholar selected from the Tallahassee community whose career achievements in science or mathematics, and contributions to science education and outreach, are deemed exemplary.
In addition to her role as chief scientist at the National MagLab, a user facility funded by the National Science Foundation and State of Florida, Greene is the Francis Eppes Professor of Physics at Florida State University. Her research in experimental condensed matter physics with a focus on quantum materials has led to over 200 co-authored publications and more than 600 invited and plenary talks.
As the 2017 president of the American Physical Society (APS), Laura’s theme was science diplomacy and human rights. She serves on the Board of Directors of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and is a vice president of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics. A champion for diversity, she works with teams that promote the success of women and young scientists, particularly in developing countries. She plays many leadership advisory roles for funding agencies and institutions, and recently was a co-chair of the National Academy’s consensus report: “Frontiers of Materials Research: A Decadal Survey.”
Laura is an active member of the US National Academy of Science, and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Institute of Physics (UK), the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the APS. Her recognitions include a Guggenheim fellowship, the Lawrence Award for Materials Research, and the Maria Goeppert-Mayer Award. This fall, she received the APS Five Sigma Physicist Award for her work in science advocacy.
The Society invites the public to the Gold Medal ceremony and a free public lecture by Dr. Greene at 7 pm on Tuesday, November 12, at the Challenger Learning Center, 200 South Duval Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301. Dr. Greene’s presentation will be titled, “The Dark Energy of Quantum Materials”. Prior to the ceremony, the Society will host a reception and cash bar beginning at 6 pm.
Ignite your curiosity with an exhilarating evening of science exploration! This program is designed for those with a passion for discovery and a thirst for knowledge. Explore the scientific mindset and hone your critical thinking and reasoning skills through hands-on activities and engaging discussions. Apply these skills, not only to scientific issues, but everyday life in understanding the world around us.
This program is in partnership with Todd Bevis, Director, Professional Development Programs in the Office of STEM Teaching Activities at Florida State University. The Library will provide mocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
Why Science? When Science? A tool for decision making in every day life
Scientific ideas often are counter-intuitive to how it seems they work in our world. In our first session, we will explore this and focus on how science works and how it can add to our ability to make informed decisions through a series of fun and relatable investigations. Join us on September 9 and September 23, 2024.
From Senses to Sense-Making
Not every investigation is an experiment! What are the tools in the toolkit of science and how can we use them creatively to solve challenges in our every day lives? Join us on October 7 and October 21, 2024.
How Science Solves Mysteries
Certain phenomena can be particularly difficult to unravel! How does Science find answers? How can we use this to inform our everyday lives? Join us November 4 and November 18, 2024. 
Carol, as a TSS board member is continuing her life-long interest in science and science education. After receiving her BS in Chemistry from Youngstown State University and MS from Florida State University in Science Education, She taught chemistry for 35 years, first at Godby High School and then Tallahassee Community College (TCC). At TCC, she also served as science program chair and was an active participant in TCC’s science student mentor program (STEM Stars).
Mabry specializes in earth science and promoting scientific literacy. She earned her Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from FSU, with her research at the MagLab, while serving as a NSF GK12 Fellow, working in public school classrooms. Mabry has also enjoyed working at the Florida Geological Survey, the Florida Center for STEM at FSU, and teaching earth science for seven years at TCC.
Yvonne worked in the Public Health Laboratory in Jacksonville and then as Bureau Chief in the Food Safety Laboratory at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. After retirement from the State of Florida, a move to Denver, she is now back to Tallahassee. Yvonne works with the Association of Public Health Laboratories and the Association of Food and Drug Officials. She has a BS Biology from FSU and MS Community Health from UNF.
Tangy is a cardiac physiologist and Instructor in the sciences at Florida A&M University and Tallahassee Community College. One of her life goals is to offer an academic advantage to Middle and High Schoolers, and as a result she is the founder of the non-profit organization, Skolier Institute Summer Camp, Inc. She prides herself in mentoring, educating, and propelling scholars to higher levels. She enjoys reading and engaging outdoor activities with family.
Bill is a retired invertebrate biologist. He studied parasitology and genetics at the Florida State University, where his graduate studies focused on the genetics of digenetic trematodes. After graduating he spent 32 years as a marine fisheries manager with the state of Florida and federal fishery management councils. He has two grown children and has resided in Tallahassee since 1970. His interests include world history, paleontology, evolution, music, cycling, and kayaking.
Kerry brings a background of science teaching, training, research, and community outreach to the Board of Tallahassee Scientific Society. She presently teaches biology at Thomas University and serves on the Tallahassee Science Festival Board. In her professional career, she has worked to communicate complex concepts in science to a diverse range of students, from K-12 through seniors.
Chris earned a degree in Meteorology from FSU in 1995 and began teaching Physics, Physical, and Earth/Space Science at Godby High School, moving to Chiles High School in 2000. In 2008, Chris joined a team creating science assessments for Florida, then becoming the Mathematics and Science Coordinator while also overseeing the development of Florida’s state-wide Mathematics and Science assessments. Chris is the Instructional Certification Specialist for Leon County Schools and oversees the Beginning Teacher Program.
Tony is a Professor Emeritus of Computer Science from Southeast Missouri State University and retired Professor of Chemistry from Stephan F. Austin State University (TX). He is a physical / computational chemist who earned his B.S. in chemistry and mathematics from Marquette University and Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the Pennsylvania State University. 
George taught middle and high school in Louisville, Ky before becoming a faculty member in science education at FSU in 1967 where he retired with the rank of Professor Emeritus in 2001. His work, in addition to teaching, included curriculum development that evolved from print materials to multimedia. His projects have been used broadly in the US and internationally. 
Dana served for 30 years in the Florida Park Service, mostly as the state-wide chief biologist. Dana earned an MS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from FSU. He is an authority on the limpkin, the snail-eating wading bird, about which he authored several scientific accounts. Dana has been active on boards and as an officer for Florida Audubon Society, Apalachee Audubon Society, Birdsong Nature Center, and the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Association.