Dear Colleagues, 

I am pleased to include another issue of RFS Briefings with some timely and encouraging updates on women in science.

Please continue to share important news and opportunities with us so that we may share it with you, and others who are committed to supporting the careers of exceptional women in science. 

Stay safe and sound

Karla Shepard Rubinger
Executive Director
Rosalind Franklin Society
www.rosalindfranklinsociety.org
 


The State of Biotech.

Join the Editors of GEN and an all-star line-up of speakers and presenters as they analyze the state of biotechnology circa 2022 – a celebration of innovation, emerging technologies, and clinical successes and an in-depth appraisal of the headwinds and challenges facing the industry. You may also access our recent interview with her and GEN editors here.  Read more.

For Twist Bioscience CEO Emily Leproust, it’s ‘go big or go home’

Emily Leproust, CEO and founder of Twist Bioscience, is passionate about mentoring the next generation of young aspiring entrepreneurs. “It’s extremely satisfying and people did it for me,” Leproust said. “There’s a big myth that you can’t schedule innovation, but you can,” Leproust said. “If you put a line in the sand, hire the best people, encourage them, give them all the tools they need, reward them and create the sense that with their work, we’re going to save the world, they can do it. It’s amazing.” Image: LiPo Ching | San Francisco Business Times. You may also view her recent RFS presentation hereRead more.

Caroline Juang: Blending art, science, and outreach.

Caroline Juang is a PhD student at Columbia University who uses satellite data and other techniques to study climate hazards. She is also an artist and a STEM promoter. Although she still loves drawing cats and horror comics, lately she’s been centering Asian female astronauts in her artwork. Caroline hopes that by doing so, she can create sources of inspiration for others that she didn’t see as she was trying to imagine herself as a scientist while growing up. Read more.

25 early career scientists become HHMI Hanna Gray Fellows.

Through the Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program and related efforts, HHMI seeks to increase diversity in biomedical science by recruiting and retaining individuals from groups currently underrepresented in the life sciences and by creating inclusive environments in which all scientists can thrive. Read more.

Pfizer teams with historically Black university for new vaccine public health doctorate program.
Monica Ochapa is pursuing a doctorate of public health at the historically black university Morgan State. Beginning next week, Ochapa and her DrPH fellow Nguhemen Tingir will begin a two-year program that aims to create a path for more minority practitioners as leaders in vaccine medical development and translate research and analysis into real-world health solutions. Read more.

The case for gender-diverse research teams.
Study finds that male-female research teams produce more innovative, impactful research than all-male or all-female teams, and the more gender-balanced the diverse teams are, the better. Read more.

Novartis appoints Fiona Marshall, Ph.D., President of the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research as Jay Bradner, M.D., steps down from the Executive Committee of Novartis
Fiona Marshall said: “I am very excited to join Novartis and lead the discovery teams who are renowned for their collaborative research and use of cutting-edge technologies. I look forward to working with them, colleagues across Novartis and our partners across the biopharma ecosystem to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into breakthrough medicines that address critical areas of unmet need for patients.” Read more.

Out of the COVID storm emerges a winner in Eureka Prize 2022.

Professor Raina MacIntyre, winner of Eureka Prize for Leadership in Innovation and Science, said: “The pandemic has seen a rise in disinformation and an anti-science agenda. So when you are trying to stick to the science, speaking truth to power, it’s very very difficult when everyone else is pushing a different agenda.” (Image: Eureka) Read more.


Marianna Limas, Social Media Manager
Nilda Rivera, Partnership and Events Manager