Margaret Shevik (GS1) had a dream; to bring together students and faculty from across scientific disciplines to discuss the triumphs and challenges women face navigating their professional lives and combating gender inequality. With the support of the MSTP program, Dean Kaushansky and the Office of President Stanley, Margaret and the newly founded Women of MSTP group brought this dream to life by organizing the first Northeast Regional Advocates of Women in Science and Medicine Symposium in the MART building here at Stony Brook University on May 11, 2019. The day was a brilliant success with over 115 people registered from more than 13 different scientific disciplines. We welcomed visiting MD/PhD students and faculty from the Tri-Institute, Hofstra University and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. The day’s programing consisted of of panels, presentations and workshops run by a diverse array of women.
Keynote lecture by Dr. Julie Kim, MD PhD from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College
Dr. Julie Kim, Associate-professor of Pediatrics at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, began the Symposium with an enlightening keynote speech highlighting the inequalities women in science are still facing. “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” Dr Kim advised. She encouraged attendees at all levels of training to find mentors and sponsors early on and to be proactive with these relationships. Dr. Nicole Leavey and Dr. Temis Taylor from the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science lead an interactive plenary. Dr. Rashmi Rai presented a “Writing an OpEd” workshop, outlining how to construct and publish a timely OpEd article. Dr. Molly Hammell myth busted erroneous opinions about the gender pay gap and a number of other faculty including Drs. Jessica Seeliger, Bettina Fries, Stella Tsirka, Jennie Williams, Helen Hsieh, Nicole Sampson, Carine Maurer, Chioma Okeoma, Frances Santiago-Schwarz, Jill Mahon, Jill Genua and Susan Lane participated in panel discussions. The day provided ample opportunity for networking among students and faculty and marked the start of fruitful cross institutional relationships. We were grateful for the participation of our male colleagues as advocacy of women is far more effective when promoted by people of all genders. The symposium would not have been possible without the support of the MSTP Program Leadership, WiSE, Lynda Perdomo-Ayala and Alison Gibbons. We look forward to carrying on this exciting tradition here at Stony Brook and at neighboring institutions for many years to come. Congratulations Margaret on organizing such an impactful event!
(Written by Lillian Talbot)