RTI International Will Welcome Dr. Mandy Cohen, Raven Baxter, for Virtual Events in Recognition of COVID-19 Pandemic Anniversary and International Women’s Day

The two events will focus on the impacts of the pandemic, the success of women and the values of science

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.—RTI International (RTI), a nonprofit research institute, is virtually opening its doors for two separate events, on March 11 and 12, in recognition of International Women’s Day and the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. The combined events will spotlight the value of science, public health and education, while simultaneously recognizing the successes of women worldwide.

Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, will serve as the keynote speaker for the first event on March 11 — signifying the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization’s declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic. Her speech will focus on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges and successes of women during the pandemic and thoughts on what's next, including actions to take toward a more equitable future. For the past year, Dr. Cohen and her team have led the state’s COVID-19 response and the development and implementation of policies across the state to help slow the spread of the virus.

• What: Reflections on the Anniversary of the COVID-19 Pandemic Declaration
• Who: Dr. Mandy Cohen
  • An open Q&A with the below panelists will follow Dr. Cohen’s speech
    • Pia MacDonald, Ph.D., Senior Director of Public Health at RTI
    • LaShawn Glasgow, Ph.D., Director of Community and Workplace Health at RTI
    • Molly Chen: Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Adapting (MERLA) Specialist in RTI’s International Development Group
• When: March 11, 2021, 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• RSVP: Event is open to the public via zoom. Please click here to register.

For media: contact news@rti.org

The following day, Raven Baxter, an award-winning and internationally acclaimed science communicator and molecular biologist, recognized as ‘Raven the Science Maven,’ will lead the first RTI Fellow Program Distinguished Lecture Series of 2021. She will discuss her experiences encouraging a sense of belonging in science – one of the keys to moving the culture forward in a direction where diversity is welcomed. Baxter is an entertainer and content creator known for her unique style of combining science and music that teaches and empowers those in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and beyond.

• What: RTI Fellow Program Distinguished Lecture Series: Raven Baxter presents The Modern Lyrics of Leadership and Communication in Science
• Who: Raven Baxter, an award-winning and internationally acclaimed science communicator and molecular biologist.
• When: March 12, 2021 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• RSVP: Event is open to the public via zoom. Please click here to register.

For media: contact news@rti.org

International Women’s Day — celebrated each year on March 8 — recognizes the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. To learn more about International Women’s Day click here.

For questions or to learn more about these events, email news@rti.org.

Attendees from media outlets are advised that Dr. Cohen and Raven Baxter are not accepting interview requests at this time. Dr. Cohen will not be available during the open Q&A following her speech.