Vanderbilt University Medical Center is celebrating its women scientists with five events this month that feature inspiring women sharing their research achievements and lives.
“I’m proud of the grassroots efforts and forward thinking which have established supportive networks at VUMC for women scientists,” said Susan Wente, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor for Research and senior associate dean for Biomedical Sciences in the School of Medicine.
This celebration “speaks to Vanderbilt’s mission to continuously acknowledge and honor women scientists,” Wente said.
Speakers and programs — three of which take place next week — include:
• Monday, April 29 — The inaugural Women in Science Symposium, to be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in 208 Light Hall, will highlight the role of women in scientific leadership positions.
• Tuesday, April 30 — Janet Wolfe, Ph.D., president and CEO of Wolfe Laboratories in Watertown, Mass., will give the keynote address at the 7th annual Postdoctoral Research and Shared Resources Symposium at 10:15 a.m. in 208 Light Hall.
• Thursday, May 2 — Yale Medical School’s Joan Steitz, Ph.D., recipient of the 2012 Vanderbilt Prize in Biomedical Science, will discuss her research during her Vanderbilt Prize Lecture at 4 p.m. in 208 Light Hall.
Previous events were:
• Borden Lacy, Ph.D., associate professor of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology and of Biochemistry, delivered a lecture April 17 sponsored by the Women on Track initiative.
• Pioneering NIH scientist Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz, Ph.D., delivered a Flexner Discovery Lecture April 18.
“Mentorship among women scientists is critical to the foundation of this career track,” Wente said.
“It’s a huge determining factor in our selection of Vanderbilt Prize winners and it’s why we included the mentorship of the Vanderbilt Scholar along with the Prize — to keep those essential relationships among women scientists moving forward and evolving.”
