Dear Colleagues, 

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

Congratulations to RFS President Dr. Rita Colwell on receiving the American Society for Microbiology Lifetime Achievement Award! Her contributions to microbiology are truly inspiring. Dr. Rita Colwell is a distinguished university professor at the University of Maryland at College Park and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and president of CosmosID, Inc. Her interests are focused on global infectious diseases, water, and health. She has authored or co-authored 20 books and more than 800 scientific publications.

Rita R. Colwell, Ph.D. Image source: ASM.

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


The Pershing Square Sohn Prize Awarded to Five Emerging Leaders in Cancer Research.

The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance announced the five winners of the 2024 Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research, including Teresa Davoli and Ashley Laughney. Read more. Image by The Pershing Square Foundation.

Golden Eggs: IVF parents shop for good stock at the Ivy Leagues.
The use of in vitro fertilization has grown dramatically in the United States since the first American child was born by this method in 1981. Many people want children with Ivy League genetics, and they’ll pay tens of thousands of dollars for eggs from a woman who has the credentials. Read more.

Why is the gender pay gap widening in STEM?
Women are backsliding when it comes to the gender pay gap, especially in STEM, legal and marketing jobs, according to a new — and sobering — study conducted by Adzuna. Their research found that the gender pay gap in the U.S. has doubled from 2.9% in April 2022 to 6% in April 2024. The worst gaps are in STEM fields, especially in science and engineering. Read more.

Sarah Millholland receives the 2024 Vera Rubin Early Career Award.

Sarah Millholland, MIT physics professor and Kavli Institute member, is the 2024 Vera Rubin Early Career Award recipient for her wide-ranging contributions to the dynamics of multi-planet extrasolar systems. Read more. Photo by Sandi Miller, MIT News.

Led by Dr. Dina Radenkovic, Gameto Secures $33M To Support Clinical Development of Fertility Treatment.
“The standard IVF process is super long, medicalized and carries side effects...… We hope that with this shortened process, women will feel better doing it, it’s not going to be as difficult and that it will result in more access and better success rates because it will be easier to repeat,” said Dr. Dina Radenkovic, CEO, and co-founder of Gameto, in an interview. Read more.

The American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy will award up to $1.5 million in 2024 Career Development Awards to support members' career development.
The Foundation’s mission is to accelerate the development of new applications of focused ultrasound and its widespread adoption as a standard of care. Read more.

Marina Bloomer Shapes the Next Generation of Powerful Women in STEM.

As the founder and program director of the Middleton, Wisconsin-based Stellar Tech Girls, Marina Bloomer is on a mission to get more girls and nonbinary children interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Read more. Image by Paul L. Newby II.

Applications Open for Springboard's 2024 Healthcare and Technology Innovation Program.
Springboard’s Healthcare & Technology Innovation Program combines high-value events and workshops with an impactful community. Selected participants are matched with a personal advisory team who provide relevant expertise and connections in support of women transforming the healthcare industry. Read more.

2023 Paula Kantor Award Research Presentation.
Register for the Paula Kantor Award research presentation with 2023 award winner Dr. Carolina Coll on June 27th, 9-10am ET. This award honors the legacy of Dr. Paula Kantor, an inspiring leader who dedicated her life to feminist and social justice research. Born and raised in Pelotas, southern Brazil, Dr. Coll is an epidemiologist who completed her PhD in Epidemiology and Master’s in Science at the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil. Read more.

Termeer Foundation Names Rare Disease Researcher and CEO as Its 2024 Termeer Scholar.

The Termeer Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on connecting life science innovators until every patient has a cure, announces Charlene Son Rigby as the 2024 Termeer Scholar. Son Rigby is the CEO of Global Genes and has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between data, technology, and the life sciences, with a focus on generating real-world impact for patients with rare genetic diseases. Read more. Image credit: Global Genes.

A shocking 79% of female scientists have negative experiences during polar fieldwork.
According to a study, 79% of women undertaking fieldwork in polar regions had negative experiences while doing fieldwork in the Arctic and Antarctica. These were driven by difficult team dynamics, lack of accountability for bullying or harassment, challenges with communication and sexism. Read more.

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


            

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