The annual WinS Symposium recognized contributions of female scientists to research at UNC and beyond.
WinS organizes an annual symposium to bring together female researchers across UNC in an event that uniquely recognizes their contributions. This year's theme was intersectionality, as reflected in the diverse list of co-sponsors (SACNAS, IMSD, AmWISE, AAPS, TIBBS, GPSF).
This year's keynote speaker was Dr. Lydia Villa-Komaraff, a renowned molecular biologist that pioneered use of recombinant DNA technology. Specifically, her work as a postdocotral fellow at Harvard resulted in the landmark paper reporting the first synthesis of insulin from bacteria. As a professor at Harvard Medical School, she conducted some of the earliest studies into amyloid toxicity as the potential root of Alzheimer's disease. After a successful research career, Dr. Villa-Komaroff transitioned from the bench to the boardroom as the Vice President of Research at Northwestern University, the COO of the Whitehead Institute, and the CEO of Cytonome, Inc before founding her own consulting firm, Intersections SBD: Science, Business, Diversity.
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy named Dr. Villa-Komaroff as a Distinguished Woman Scientist, both for her scientific contributions and advocacy for diversity. As a graduate student at MIT, Dr. Villa-Komaroff was a co-founder of Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). In her keynote address, she projected a picture of the inaugural SACNAS meeting - she was only one of two women in the room. "There are many implicit biases facing women, and they are exacerbated if you are a woman of color," she observed. Throughout her talk, Dr. Villa-Komaraff stressed the importance of acknowledging implicit bias as a first step toward inclusivity. "Scientists in the 'hard' sciences have been particularly resistant to the notion of unconscious bias."
Dr. Villa-Komaraff had an opportunity to interact with her audience at the poster session, where female graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from a variety of disciplines presented their research. Graduate student Yitong Li, postdocotral fellow Kelsey Quinn, and pre-graduate Nancy Sey won first place in their respective categories. They received complimentary professional resume consultation or leadership coaching sessions, graciously donated by Think Likely Resumes and Kramer Leadership. The second place winners, including graduate students Erica Pino and Kirsten Studer as well as postdoctoral fellow Sarah Schoenrock accompanied Dr. Villa-Komoraff to dinner. Thus concluded another successful WinS Symposium.
Speaker suggestions? Email uncwins@unc.edu.