Category Archives: Events

AWIS-CAC President Dr. Zahmeeth Sakkaff: Career Journey and Transition to Assistant Professor

by Elodie Kadjo

Zahmeeth Sakkaff is an assistant professor at St. Bonaventure University in New York. She holds both a master’s degree in computer science and a Ph.D. in computer engineering from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Her remarkable contributions to computational and machine learning research have earned her numerous awards, including the prestigious 2018-2019 Dean’s Fellowship for outstanding academic performance and scholarly potential from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Born in Sri Lanka, Zahmeeth’s childhood was shaped by the civil war that erupted in her country in 1983. Among the many challenges posed by the conflict, a dysfunctional education system denied many students the opportunity for a proper education. Zahmeeth remarks with a smile that a Ph.D. and a career in academia were never part of her dream growing up. Despite her challenging upbringing, she recognized that everyone possesses a unique set of skills. Hers revolved around a love for reading and listening.

The constant encouragement from her mother played a pivotal role in Zahmeeth’s choices. Despite societal expectations that women should stay at home and care for the family, her mother urged her to pursue education. After an unconventional high school experience, Zahmeeth embarked on a one-year diploma certification program in computer science. She recalls, “In the mid-1990s, with the rise of OS Windows and computers, I decided to study computer science.” Following her certification, Zahmeeth worked for a printing shop where her colleagues and customers recognized her potential, encouraging her to pursue an undergraduate degree.

At the age of 23, Zahmeeth enrolled in the Open University of Sri Lanka. The university’s self-study approach—where students received textbooks and studied independently—challenged her. “My computer science diploma helped me gain admission to take computer science classes,” she explains. There, she focused on chemistry, mathematics, and computer science courses.

Subsequently, Zahmeeth worked as a research assistant at the National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS) in Sri Lanka. She pursued a Master of Philosophy in computer science at the University of Peradeniya, specializing in brain-computer interfaces. Zahmeeth completed her MPhil degree, winning the IEEE best student paper award for her research. Despite her qualifications, finding a job in Sri Lanka proved difficult due to political connections dominating job opportunities. Frustrated, her advisor encouraged her to take the GRE and TOEFL (an English proficiency exam for nonnative English speakers) exams and pursue a Ph.D. abroad. Zahmeeth reflects, “Before that, I hadn’t even considered other countries. But I now realize what an incredible learning opportunity traveling abroad is. I recommend it to everyone, especially young people.” Guided by her master’s advisor, Zahmeeth secured a full scholarship to the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Completing her Ph.D. journey was no easy feat. Zahmeeth had to adapt to a new culture, navigate the legal implications of her immigrant status, and hone her English language skills for academic use. Academically, she had to catch up on advanced computational techniques, as the U.S. standards surpassed what she was accustomed to. With a smile, Zahmeeth shares, “People come into your life as blessings or lessons. I had good friends and mentors who helped me navigate my new environment.”

During her time at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Zahmeeth focused on computational modeling of molecular communication channels in cell metabolism. Like many other scientists, she was often tempted to quit her program due to the inadequate support she received. However, she persevered thanks to the encouragement of her family, friends, and mentors. Her mother’s words resonated with her: “The easy way would be to give up, but I could do the right thing, which is to finish what I started.”

While at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Zahmeeth had the opportunity to participate in a summer internship at Argonne National Laboratory. This experience ultimately led her to a postdoctoral position there after completing her Ph.D. At Argonne, Zahmeeth actively engaged in mentorship programs, working with high school students, and participating in the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) Chicago Chapter. She fondly recalls the joy of collaborating with AWIS, meeting remarkable individuals, and finding exceptional mentors like Sara Pedron-Haba through the association. In 2022, Zahmeeth assumed leadership of the chapter, aiming to build relationships and acquire new skills.

After a four-year period at Argonne National Laboratory, Zahmeeth is transitioning to St. Bonaventure University in New York for a tenure-track position. She chose academia because she wanted to share the knowledge she had gained, paving the way for future generations. Her primary goal is to mentor women, as she herself never had a female mentor during her training. Despite progress, the underrepresentation of women in computer science remains a challenge, and Zahmeeth is determined to make a positive impact.

In her current role, Zahmeeth’s research focuses on applying natural language processing to biological systems, particularly in understanding cellular mechanisms through RNA sequencing. Her ambitious goal is to construct a biochat platform using protein sequences and apply machine learning and artificial intelligence in cybersecurity. However, the tenure track presents new challenges, especially after relocating to a new city. Balancing teaching responsibilities with research has led to a slower pace, but Zahmeeth remains committed to her mission.

As she steps down from the leadership of the Chicago chapter of AWIS, Zahmeeth reflects with a mix of sadness and positivity. She embraces the new challenges of her position and is grateful for the opportunity to teach and mentor other women in computer science.


The AWIS-CAC Board would also like to congratulate Zahmeeth on her transition to Assistant Professor at St. Bonaventure University! She has been fundamental to our organization and we wish her the best in all her future endeavors

Summer Mentoring Kick-off 2024

Save the date in your calendars for AWIS-CAC’s 2024 Summer Mentoring Circle Kick-off!

We will be kicking off Summer Mentoring Circles on Monday, June 17th, 2023, at 6 PM. Click here to access the event on zoom now!

Meeting Agenda (1 hour):
Introduction (10 min)
Guidelines (10 min)
Mentor Introductions (5 min)
Breakout Circles with Mentoring Group (30 min)
Wrap-up (5 min)

Please feel free to reach out to us at awiscommunications@gmail.com with questions about the mentoring program.

AWIS-CAC June Membership Meeting

Join us for our monthly AWIS CAC meeting to socialize and discuss upcoming programming! Our new permanent meeting time will be the last Thursday of the month at 5 PM. The next meeting will be on Thursday, June 27th, starting at 5:00 PM CT. Join using this Zoom link!

If you have any questions or if you’d like to address a certain topic at our meeting, feel free to e-mail us at awiscommunications@gmail.com!

AWIS-CAC May Membership Meeting

Join us for our monthly AWIS CAC meeting to socialize and discuss upcoming programming! Our new permanent meeting time will be the last Thursday of the month at 5 PM. The next meeting will be on Thursday, May 30th, starting at 5:00 PM CT. Join using this Zoom link!

If you have any questions or if you’d like to address a certain topic at our meeting, feel free to e-mail us at awiscommunications@gmail.com!

AWIS-CAC April Membership Meeting

Join us for our monthly AWIS CAC meeting to socialize and discuss upcoming programming! Our new permanent meeting time will be the last Thursday of the month at 5 PM. The next meeting will be on Thursday, April 25th, starting at 5:00 PM CT. Join using this Zoom link!

If you have any questions or if you’d like to address a certain topic at our meeting, feel free to e-mail us at awiscommunications@gmail.com!

AWIS-CAC March Membership Meeting

Join us for our monthly AWIS CAC meeting to socialize and discuss upcoming programming! Our new permanent meeting time will be the last Thursday of the month at 5 PM. The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 28th, starting at 5:00 PM CT. Join using this Zoom link!

If you have any questions or if you’d like to address a certain topic at our meeting, feel free to e-mail us at awiscommunications@gmail.com!

AWIS-CAC February Membership Meeting – POSTPONED TO BEGINNING OF MARCH

Join us for our monthly AWIS CAC meeting to socialize and discuss upcoming programming. Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, our regular February meeting is being pushed to the beginning of March. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 6th, starting at 5:00 PM CT. Join using this Zoom link!

If you have any questions or if you’d like to address a certain topic at our meeting, feel free to e-mail us at awiscommunications@gmail.com!

AWIS-CAC January Membership Meeting

Join us for our monthly AWIS CAC meeting to socialize and discuss upcoming programming. The next meeting will be on Friday, January 26th, starting at 10:00 AM CT. Join using this Zoom link!

We apologize for the changes in scheduling! We are planning on getting back to a routine meeting schedule next month. If you can’t make the meeting but want to ask the board a question or propose a suggestion, please e-mail us at awiscommunications@gmail.com!

Financial Literacy Workshop

AWIS-CAC is excited to partner with the American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences to host a free online workshop on financial literacy, led by Danny Quach.

When: January 26th, 2023 from 3 – 4 PM CST
Where: https://uic.zoom.us/j/88580294286?pwd=SmtnK3RTT09aNnRCT1h6TjVYU2phUT09

Workshop Agenda

  • Why we need to learn about personal finance
  • How to invest for your goals and future
    • Layout plan
    • Investment options
    • Investment accounts
  • Developing your own conscious spending plan/budget

About the Speaker

Danny Quach is presently immersed in the world of pharmacoeconomics, pursuing a PhD at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the Pharmacy Systems Outcomes and Policy program. Armed with a solid foundation in business finance and mathematics from his undergraduate studies at UCSD, Danny brings a wealth of investing knowledge to the table. His journey has been enriched by internships at financial institutions and centers.

Fueling his passion for personal finance, Danny is dedicated to assisting individuals in reaching their financial milestones. His commitment to personal finance has seen him as a speaker at personal finance conventions and conferences, where he has shared insights on a diverse array of topics. In the realm of personal finance, Danny’s overarching goal is to enhance financial literacy and empower individuals to navigate their personal finances with confidence.

2023 Innovator Award Winner: Shivani Garg, Ph.D.

Shivani Garg, Ph.D.
Project Manager, LanzaTech

For her research applying synthetic biology to engineer anaerobic acetogen for the production of fuels and chemicals.

I am Shivani Garg. I am a Synthetic Biologist working at LanzaTech, a gas fermentation company based in Chicago, Illinois, USA. I obtained my Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Iowa State University.

During my graduate studies, I embarked on an entrepreneurial endeavor, founding a biotechnology start-up, OmegaChea Biorenewables, focused on harnessing microbial fermentation to convert sugars into lubricants. Though the start-up faced challenges and did not traverse the valley of death, it served as a profound learning experience for me.

Subsequently, my academic pursuit brought me to the Metabolic Engineering laboratory at Rice University in Houston for post-doctoral training. Here, I delved into the realm of gas fermentation, a fun journey that led me to Intrexon in San Francisco where I worked on converting methane to fuels. Destiny steered me back to the Midwest in 2018, where I found my professional home at LanzaTech, and  have been working on anaerobic gas fermentation to convert syngas into fuels and chemicals.

My passion lies in harnessing the immense natural diversity present in enzymes and microbes, adeptly engineering them to synthesize invaluable products otherwise reliant on conventional chemical processes. Over my 15-year career traversing both academic and industrial spheres, I have contributed to diverse projects ranging from fermentation of sugars to fermentation of gases (methane and carbon dioxide) to make fuels and chemicals.

I remain committed to pushing the boundaries of scientific innovation, continually striving to transform theoretical possibilities into tangible solutions that positively impact our world.