STEM Voices
The work of the Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem is made possible by the collaboration of over 900+ members who believe that everyone benefits when students succeed in STEM. Workgroups contribute to achieving our goals by advancing our mission and vision within a specific area of focus and by collaborating to accomplish work that has a meaningful deliverable and manageable.
Chemical Engineering
Kara Branch
Kara Branch is a chemical engineer and founder of Black Girls Do Engineer Corporation, a nonprofit organization that empowers girls with resources to pursue STEM careers.
What is a chemical engineer?
How did Kara choose chemical engineering?
Tips for pursuing a STEM career
Chemical Senses
Tiffany Haydt
Tiffany Haydt is an administrative coordinator at Monell Chemical Senses center, which conducts research on the senses of taste and smell. Haydt works for the center's the Monell Science Apprenticeship Program for high school and college students
What challenges exist in pursuing a career in chemical senses?
Advice about pursuing STEM
The paper strip test
Fun with jelly beans!
Computer Science
Chad Womack
Chad Womack is the co-founder of CS4Philly, a non-profit organization aimed to educate students about computer science. Womack's background is in life science.
Naomi Housman
What is included in the technology industry?
What skills are important for this career?
What does the future of computer science look like?
Naomi Housman is the co-founder of CS4Philly. Housman's background is in education.
Engineering Consulting
Jeremy Lomax
Jeremy Lomax is a senior scientist at Exponent, an engineering consulting firm. Lomax's educational background is in biology, but his career also requires an understanding of engineering and physics.
What is scientific and engineering consulting?
Lomax's greatest accomplishments
What a typical day looks like
Epidemiology
René Najera
René Najera is an epidemiologist and director of Public Health at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. His mission is to help the public better understand health, such as by clearing misconceptions about vaccines.
What is an epidemiologist?
Why René chose epidemiology
Skills needed for this field
Cosmetic Chemistry
Marquita Robinson
Marquita Robinson is a cosmetic chemist and CEO of her own cosmetics business, DVINITI skincare. Robinson believes cosmetic care should be customized and natural.
The cosmetic industry
What educational background is needed for a cosmetic chemist?
Skills important for this career
Wonders of cosmetic chemistry
Gemology
Adrianne Sanogo
Adrianne Sanogo is a gemologist, which is a specialized type of geologist. Sanogo is also a journalist and educator aimed at expanding people's awareness of gemology and jewelry making through her organization Future Jewelers Foundation.
What is a gemologist?
Skills needed to be a gemologist
The best part of this career
Glowing diamonds!
Healthcare
Lance Murphy
Meet Dr. Lance Murphy, an aspiring M.D. Ph.D. currently in medical school.
About the MD-PhD
Skills of a researcher/physician
The future of medicine
Medical Liaising
Michael Sangobowale
Meet Michael Sangobowale, a medical liaison at Avadel Pharmaceuticals.
What is a medical liaison?
Sangobowale's job as a MSL
What educational background is needed for a MSL?
Words of advice
Nursing
Kerienne Huggins
Kerienne Huggins is a nurse supervisor at Nurse Family Partnership (NFP), a non-profit organization that supports new parents.
About nurse home visitors
A nurse home visitor's toolbox
Baby dummies
Process Engineering
Megan Ketchum
Megan Ketchum is process engineering team leader at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Process engineering is a type of chemical engineering, so Ketchum's career requires a strong understanding of chemistry.
What does a process engineer do?
Why Ketchum chose this career
Process engineering: a closer look
Science Education
Ebony Dyson
Meet Ebony Dyson, a science teacher at Abraham Lincoln High School. Dyson believes in bringing hands-on learning into the classroom, engaging her students in real scientific experiments.
The educational background of a STEM educator
Dyson's favorite thing about her career
Classroom on wheels!
Scientific Research
Ralph E. White III
Meet Dr. White III, a scientific researcher at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. White studies cancer cell biology and how metals play a role in the development of cancer.
How Ralph maintains a work-life balance
How to network with STEM professionals
Cell pandemonium!
Water Utility
Jackie Ng
Jackie Ng is Community Engagement Manager for the Philadelphia Water Department. That means she informs the public about the safety of tap water and other information about Philadelphia water.
What is the water utility department like?
Jackie's educational background
What skills are important for this career?
The Philly Water Bar