Scientist of the Month

The AWIS Chicago “Scientist of the Month” is an area scientist who promotes the advancement of women in the fields of science, technology and engineering (STEM). This monthly series was launched in 2009 and resurrected in 2010 with new contributers.

Nominees to be profiled in this series should be a scientist who has had an impact on your life or career, both past and present, or whom you believe is worthy of recognition for their research or contributions to their institution. The nominee does not need to be an AWIS member, does not need to be a woman, and can be a mentor, friend or colleague. There is no deadline for this nomination process and nominations submitted by the 15th of each month will be profiled the following month. Email awiscommunications@gmail.com with your nominations.

SOTM: Katharine Radwanski Thursday, 9 May 2013

Written by C. Zoe Hoeppner, PhDPrincipal Engineer at Fresenius Kabi (via the recent acquisition of Fenwal Inc), Katherine Radwanski is rising young female star in the apheresis and blood device industry. Despite having only received her Master’s in Biotechnology from Northwestern University in 2008, Katherine has quickly made a name for herself, winning several awards [...]

Source: AWIS Chicago » Scientist of the Month | Editor

April SOTM: Arabela Grigorescu Tuesday, 2 April 2013

By Marina DamianoWhen Arabela Grigorescu was a post-doctoral fellow researching DNA repair proteins at the University of Chicago, she found herself a crossroads in her career. Though she was most comfortable in what she considered to be the creative and stimulating environment of academe, Arabela knew teaching courses as a tenure track faculty was not [...]

Source: AWIS Chicago » Scientist of the Month | Editor

March SOTM: Maryellen Giger Thursday, 28 February 2013

By Agnella Izzo Matic, PhDThe breast tumor lights up in pink on the computer screen. Algorithms automatically detect the tumor and predict that this tumor is malignant.This scene may soon play out in medical centers around the nation thanks to Dr. Maryellen Giger’s innovative research in the fight against breast cancer. Dr. Giger (rhymes with [...]

Source: AWIS Chicago » Scientist of the Month | Editor

February SOTM: Michelle Paulsen Friday, 8 February 2013

By Marina DamianoAs a scientist, what do you say when a colleague asks you about your research? Is it different than how you would explain your research to a non-scientist? Perhaps it is easy to deliver a highly technical presentation, but when you have to remove the jargon and package the essence of your research [...]

Source: AWIS Chicago » Scientist of the Month | Editor

January SOTM: Christine McCary Saturday, 19 January 2013

Learn about Christine McCary, Assistant Director for Graduate Services at the University of Chicago.

Source: AWIS Chicago » Scientist of the Month | Editor

November SOTM: Catching up with Chinonye (Chi-Chi) Nnakwe Monday, 19 November 2012

Check the progress and update since we last talked with Dr. Chi-Chi Nnakwe, Director of Graduate Diversity Recruitment at the University of Chicago.

Source: AWIS Chicago » Scientist of the Month | Editor

November SOTM: Matthew Grayson Monday, 19 November 2012

Learn about Dr. Matthew Grayson, his passion for science and the arts.

Source: AWIS Chicago » Scientist of the Month | Editor

October SOTM: Angela Kwiatek Wednesday, 19 September 2012

Article by Marina PazinFor the past year, I have been fortunate enough to be working as a regulatory writer at Randstad Pharma. Regulatory writers support the progress of drug development to the market by drafting appropriate, highly-technical documents to be submitted to drug-regulating agencies, such as the FDA, and to the countries in which the [...]

Source: AWIS Chicago » Scientist of the Month | Editor

1st Annual Motivator Award Nominee and July 2012 Scientist of the Month: Laura Marie Letellier Sunday, 1 July 2012

Motivator Award nominee Laura Letellier’s fascinating career path has taken her from the Navy to the pharmaceutical industry, and she has made a concerted effort to give back and mentor her younger female colleagues.

Source: AWIS Chicago » Scientist of the Month | Editor

1st Annual Motivator Award Winner and June 2012 Scientist of the Month: Ami LeFevre Monday, 4 June 2012

Motivator Award winner Ami LeFevre is a science teacher who has initiated multiple programs, such as the GEMS (Girls Empowered by Math and Science) program, to motivate young girls to pursue STEM fields as a career.

Source: AWIS Chicago » Scientist of the Month | Editor