By Heather Burkhart
Many of us often assume that all scientists fall victim to the theory of left- or right-brain dominance, exhibiting a strictly logical and calculating nature in both the workplace and our personal lives. This, however, is simply not the case. For example, take a look at Elizabeth Mermel, who is both scientific superstar and t-shirt designer extraordinaire, proving that both sides of the brain are better than one.
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By Heather Burkhart
I recently had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Gaia Vasiliver-Shamis, the Director of Career Development for Postdoctoral Fellows at Emory University School of Medicine, and what she likes to call a “non-practicing” scientist. She may not currently be doing her own research, but she hasn’t forgotten what it’s like. Her dedication to helping scientists everywhere succeed is a true inspiration to all of us who wish to make the world a better place; and not only that, but the very assistance she gives others in turn creates the possibility for scientists to get out there and do what they’re meant to do and improve the world themselves. We all know what is said about karma, but she can nevertheless be perfectly lovely at times.
By Heather Burkhart
The Westchester Science and Engineering Fair (WESEF) is known as the most competitive science fair in New York. The 2015 competition, accommodating over 420 high school students from Westchester and Putnam counties, showcased projects stemming from subjects such as biochemistry, microbiology, environmental science and engineering. Incredible scientific progress was made, but only 21 students received top awards. We got in touch with Stephanie Becker, one of the finalists who was selected to attend the Intel ISEF 2015 competition, based on her work with Neuropeptide-Y, for a Q&A. First off, could you tell me a little about your work with molecular and cell biology that you presented in the WESEF 2015 competition? The research project I presented at WESEF this year revolved around a protein-like molecule called Neuropeptide-Y (NPY) and its effects in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic relapsing condition mediated by an abnormal immune response. My study blocked NPY's Y1 and Y2 receptors using small-molecule antagonists in an IBD mouse model in order to determine if this attenuated IBD pathology and these pathological changes were associated with behavioral and biochemical changes. I revealed that blocking the Y1 receptor led to increased IBD pathology, while blocking the Y2 receptor led to decreased IBD pathology, and that these pathological changes were associated with biochemical changes. Combined, these results identified NPY Y2 receptor antagonism as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of IBD at a pathological and biochemical level. 9/1/2015 3 Comments From Mechanical Engineer to TV Host: How Deanne Bell is Changing the Face of Women in Tech
By Heather Burkhart
One of the leading challenges among the STEM community is the subject of alluring the masses to the enthralling world of science. Deanne Bell, co-host of the television show “Make Me a Millionaire Inventor” and founder of Future Engineers has accepted that challenge with an unrivalled confidence and the capacity to back it up. With a background in mechanical engineering and public speaking, Deanne has what it takes to get students pumped up about building, and eager to get creating.
4/27/2015 0 Comments Dr. Caroline Defilippo
By Heather Burkhart
For some women, it may be risky business to decide between a fulfilling career and the raising of a family. If you’re like Dr. Caroline Defilippo, you have probably asked the universe, “Why do I have to choose just one?” As a practicing internist with two little girls at home, Dr. Defilippo is one of the many inspiring women who have overcome one of the most difficult challenges facing those who want to defy the typical stereotypes opposing them, all while enjoying the benefits of having both a family life and a career.
After receiving her graduate certificate in Environmental Studies and Public Health and serving as an ambassadorial scholar in Australia, Defilippo began working as a public health educator for Rockland County Department of Health, but not too long after was approached by her boss and was told that her talents would be well spent as a doctor. Defilippo responded that she “…was so not going to be a doctor; I was disenchanted by organic chemistry in particular.” However, a month into this position, which she thought was going to be her job, she took a step in another direction and enrolled in med school classes at night, something she refers to as “a leap of faith.” Several leaps of faith have guided her decisions since then, both educationally, professionally, and personally, and have helped her through a number of perhaps unexpected twists in life.
by Heather Atkinson
Wishing a happy birthday to Gladys Rowena Henry Dick, part of our series on women who were nominated for Nobel Prizes in science but never won. Nominated for her work on the Scarlet Fever Vaccine in 1925 b. December 18, 1881 d. August 21, 1963 In the early twentieth century, North America and Europe were plagued with the bacterial peril scarlet fever, which primarily targeted children and caused many such complications as skin infections, kidney disease, rheumatic fever and even resulted in mortality rates reaching up to an alarming 25 percent. After the loss of her son to scarlet fever, Edith Rockefeller McCormick and her husband established the John R. McCormick Memorial Institute for Infectious Diseases in Chicago, which institution Gladys Henry Dick joined in 1914 and remained until her retirement in 1953, and where much of her research was completed, leading her to develop the skin test and vaccine that would be universally utilized to battle scarlet fever. |
SPOTLIGHTSMeet our Scientista Spotlights -- current-day women in STEM and women from science history -- and find your role model! Read opinion editorials and history pieces to get additional inspiration.
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