Speaking Engagement Information
Dr. Nelson frequently does speaking engagements, either in person or remotely. The following titles are most often requested; sometimes a talk based on a blend of two topics is needed. The MOST REQUESTED talk is about how my "Breaking Bad" experience led to my research on fentanyl. Honoraria go to a nonprofit.
My BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH is below.
My Experiences as Science Advisor to the Television Show Breaking Bad
Reveals how I became involved with the show, what I was asked to do, unexpected situations, what makes Breaking Bad different from other science-related shows, impact of the show upon the public and upon students.
The US Fentanyl Challenge
Presents tables and graphs of compiled CDC data which show the current number of deaths and death rates due to fentanyl in the US and in selected states. Presents tables and plots of US Border Patrol seizure data of fentanyl in the US. All these data are usually much larger than expected by most people and are needed in order to plan our future which includes an accommodation for fentanyl and its deadly impacts on our society.
Popular Teaching Methodology for Large Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Classes
After decades of research, developing teaching devices, surveying students, and exploring different teaching methodologies, I finally found a method which produced excellent results, was not overly burdensome for me, and was enjoyed by students. This method was suitable for the very large class size (hundreds), as well as small class size. The method used a "flipped class" technique and 3 different ways for students to receive the course content: (a) by reading the text, (b) by watching before class my filmed lectures, posted online available 24/7, and (c) by using the Socratic Method, working in class hundreds of multiple choice questions. Students chose techniques and most students used multiple ones. In Fall 2023, almost 100 students in my Organic Chemistry 1 course created and signed a petition that I teach "all sections" of Organic Chemistry 2, so they would be certain to continue the same teaching method for that course. It is unusual to have such a petition from a very large organic chemistry class, which indicates that they enjoyed this unusual teaching methodology.
Answers and Advice to Students (in Science) Based on My Experiences
Flexible format and topics, based on interests or needs of students in the audience. Specifics can be given to Dr. Nelson by the host in advance or by the students during the talk.
Biographical Sketch (more information can be found at her Wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Nelson )
Dr. Donna Nelson obtained her PhD in chemistry at UT-Austin with Michael Dewar and did her postdoctorate at Purdue with HC Brown. She was the first female and only Native American to accept a professorship at the University of Oklahoma Department of Chemistry. She has published over 200 papers, given thousands of talks, and organized hundreds of ACS symposia. She has received many honors, including the Guggenheim Award, ACS Fellow, AAAS Fellow, and NSF Creativity Extension.
Dr. Nelson was science advisor for the hit television show "Breaking Bad" and was elected to 2016 President of the American Chemical Society. Her research and creative activities focused on the topics listed above as talk subjects by building communities in them.