Dear Colleagues,

Equity and representation in science matter more than ever, and the Rosalind Franklin Society continues its mission to recognize, foster, and advance the critical contributions of women and underrepresented minorities in science. Our annual conference highlighted the innovators and changemakers with unique experiences and leadership:


We again presented impressive leaders in science, and highlighted their unique paths. As in the past, we heard first-hand from several new appointments in the Federal government and university leadership. 

We featured presentations from prestigious scholars, industry, and government leaders, and a not-to-be-missed update on AI. We continue to  celebrate Dr. Franklin's life, work, and symbolic power, by recognizing outstanding women in science, cultivating more significant opportunities, and inspiring new generations of women. Here is a link to the presentations.

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


A new gig in the science world.


Jennifer Raab, the former president of Hunter College, is now heading the New York Stem Cell Foundation. Read more. Image: Jennifer J. Raab via Hunter College.

Insights from four female scientists caught at the early-career crossroads.
Four female researchers from three countries took time out from lectures, panel discussions and networking opportunities to tell Nature about their career hopes and challenges for the months and years ahead. Read more.

Meet the 6 women innovators featured in a new STEM exhibit at Seattle’s Pacific Science Center.

Six orange statues on display at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle offer an eye-catching way to learn about the contributions of women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). This exhibit is part of the 120 statues created for "IF/THEN" a project of Lyda Hill Philantropies, also a supporter of RFS. Read more. (Image: Pacific Science Center Photo)

Naomi Halas, Ph.D. ’87, wins Mildred Dresselhaus Prize.

Naomi Halas, M.A. ‘84 and Ph. D. ‘87 in physics at Bryn Mawr, has been awarded the 2024 Mildred Dresselhaus Prize in Nanoscience and Nanomaterials from the American Physical Society (APS). The Dresselhaus Prize recognizes an outstanding scientist in the areas of nanoscience or nanomaterials and is named for renowned physicist and former APS President Mildred Dresselhaus. Read more. Image: Naomi Halas (Photo by Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) Although Professor  Dresselhaus died in 2017, she was a featured speaker at an RFS annual meeting in 2012.

Christina Koch will be the first woman to go to the moon.
On the Artemis II mission, scheduled for November, Koch will spend 10 days on a trip to circle the moon with three other astronauts. She will become the first woman to orbit Earth’s satellite and set eyes on its mysterious far side. Read more.

Nancy E. Adler, who linked wealth to health, Dies at 77.
Nancy E. Adler, a health psychologist whose work helped transform the public understanding of the relationship between socioeconomic status and physical health, died on Jan. 4 at her home in San Francisco. Dr. Adler was instrumental in documenting the powerful role that education, income and self-perceived status in society play in predicting health and longevity. Clearly this is a precursor to the current focus on SDOH (social determinants of health). Read more.

Newest Whitehead fellows share their research.

The Whitehead Fellows Program provides highly talented and accomplished recent PhDs the opportunity to launch their own research programs, instead of working as postdoctoral researchers in a senior scientist’s lab. The Institute's newest Whitehead Fellows are Valhalla Fellow Allison Hamilos and Aditya Raguram. Read more. (Image: Allison Hamilos (left) and Aditya Raguram (right) Credit: Gretchen Ertl/ Whitehead Institute)

2024 Szent-Györgyi Prize nominations are now open.
Do you have a mentor or colleague whose work you deem worthy of recognition for their impact on cancer research? Now is the time to nominate them for the National Foundation for Cancer Research's 2024 Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research. Read more.

Prestigious Blavatnik Awards for young scientists in the UK to bestow £480,000 to nine scientists across the UK.
Although the winners are all male, there are 3 women among the finalists. The grants, totalling £480,000, recognize research that is transforming medicine, technology, and our understanding of the world across three categories: Chemical Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering, and Life Sciences. Read more.

BWHI President Linda Goler Blount, MPH, featured in Health Care Business Today.

BWHI’s President Linda Goler Blount, MPH, recently penned an insightful and compelling article in Healthcare Business Today addressing the pressing issues surrounding the FDA's approval of injectable diabetes drugs for weight loss. In this thought-provoking piece, she shed light on the trends, challenges, and the imperative need for a holistic approach to obesity treatment. Read more. (Image: Linda Goler Blount, MPH, Black Women’s Health Imperative)

 

We are pleased to welcome the first members of our new Council of Corporate Leadership!


            

 

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