Voices in STEM
If there is a certain STEM career or field you are interested in learning more about, you are in the right place! This Girl Scout Gold Award project by high school student Nuha Maryam aims to share the stories of professionals in various STEM careers to inform and inspire the youth of underrepresented communities. From healthcare to gemology, this page contains insightful information about exciting professions, including some that you probably haven't heard of!
Chemical Engineering
Kara Branch is a chemical engineer and the Founder and CEO of Black Girls Do Engineer Corporation, a nonprofit organization that empowers girls with resources to pursue STEM careers. Branch received a Bachelor's degree in Chemical engineering and a Master's degree in Business administration (MBA).
What is a chemical engineer?
How did Kara choose chemical engineering?
Tips for pursuing a STEM career
Chemical Senses
Tiffany Haydt is an Project Manager, Academic Affairs at Monell Chemical Senses Center, which conducts research on the senses of taste and smell. Haydt has a Master's degree in Nutrition and Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D). Haydt also works with 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 is the co-founder and Senior Advisor of CS4Philly, a non-profit organization aimed to educate students about computer science. He is also the Founder Chair & Managing Director of iRISE PHL. Womack received a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Ph.D. in Biomedical sciences.
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 and Leadership Partner of CS4Philly. and iRISE PHL. Housman has a Master's degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education in Human Development & Psychology. She brings her expertise in directing and teaching to the organization.
Engineering Consulting
Jeremy Lomax, Ph.D. was a senior scientist at Exponent, an engineering consulting firm. in Philadelphia. Lomax has a Bachelor's degree in Biology, a Master's degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. He is currently working as a Human Factors Researcher at Apple.
What is scientific and engineering consulting?
Lomax's greatest accomplishments
What a typical day looks like
Epidemiology
René Najera is an epidemiologist and director of Public Health at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Najera has a Bachelor's degree in medical technology, a Master's degree in public health, and Doctor of Public Health degree. His mission is to help the public better understand health, such as by clearing misconceptions about vaccines. Najera also volunteers as an epidemiologist liaison for the Board of Health in Frederick County, Maryland.
What is an epidemiologist?
Why René chose epidemiology
Skills needed for this field
Cosmetic Chemistry
Marquita Robinson is a cosmetic chemist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO of her own cosmetics business, DVINITI Skin Care, centered on personalized, sustainable natural products. Known as Philly's 'Mad Scientist Gone Good, Robinson has a Bachelor's degree in Biology.
The cosmetic industry
What educational background is needed for a cosmetic chemist?
Skills important for this career
Wonders of cosmetic chemistry
Gemology
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. She is the Co-Founder & Vice President of her organization Future Jewelers Foundation.
What is a gemologist?
Skills needed to be a gemologist
The best part of this career
Glowing diamonds!
Healthcare
Meet Lance Murphy, an aspiring M.D. Ph.D. currently in medical school in the University of Pennsylvania. After completing two years of medical school and his Ph.D., Murphy has returned to medicine school to pursue his Doctor of Medicine degree. Murphy plans to specialize in immunology and become a rheumatologist.
About the MD-PhD
Skills of a researcher/physician
The future of medicine
Medical Liaising
Meet Michael Sangobowale, a medical liaison at Alkermes, (previously known as Avadel Pharmaceuticals). Sangobowale has a Ph.D. in neuroscience, allowing him to research and specialize in drugs related to the brain.
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 is a Nurse Supervisor at Nurse Family Partnership (NFP), a non-profit organization that supports new parents. Huggins oversees a team of nurse home visitors who check in on mothers and their newborns. Huggins has a Bachelor's degree in Nursing.
About nurse home visitors
A nurse home visitor's toolbox
Baby dummies
Process Engineering
Megan Ketchum is a Process Engineering Team Leader at GSK Ketchum has a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Ketchum now works on the sustainability side at GSK, helping the company optimize its overall sustainability performance.
What does a process engineer do?
Why Ketchum chose this career
Process engineering: a closer look
Science Education
Meet Ebony Dyson, a Science Teacher and Assistant Principal at Abraham Lincoln High School. Dyson has a Master's degree in Secondary Education and Teaching. She is also the Director of Summer Programs at eCLOSE Institute. 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
Meet Dr. Ralph White III, an assistant professor at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University focusing his research on deciphering drug-metal micronutrient connections in disease. Until recently, Dr. White was a scientific researcher at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine where he studied 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 is Community Engagement Specialist for the Philadephia Water Department, which means she informs the public about the safety of tap water and other information about the Philadelphia water system. Ng has a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in Ecology and Conservation, with a focus on STEM Education.
What is the water utility department like?
Jackie's educational background
What skills are important for this career?
The Philly Water Bar
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Please note that this Voices in STEM page is a Girl Scouts Gold Award project of a student.
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Some of the interviewees have move to new places, but you can follow them by visiting their LinkedIn site
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If you are student interested in participating by interviewing a STEM professional to add to our voices, or as an adult willing to be interviewed by a student, reach out to Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem Manger Betsy Payne.