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

Shivani is a Synthetic Biologist working at LanzaTech, a gas fermentation company. She obtained her Ph.D. in Molecule Biology and Biochemistry from Iowa State University, before founding a biotechnology start-up, OmegaChea Biorenewables, focused on harnessing microbial fermentation to convert sugars into lubricants. She continued her training through a postdoc in the Metabolic Engineering Laboratory at Rice University, focused on gas fermentation, before joining LanzaTech in 2018.

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For her research on high-performing biocatalysts using computer-guided methods and applied machine learning techniques to model systems.

Sruti is a scientist on the AI & Computational Biology team at LanzaTech. She holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Applied Math. In her role at LanzaTech, she actively contributes to the execution of computational experiments, employing machine learning models to enhance biocatalyst design, optimize processes, and predict cellular phenotypes. She specializes in understanding, analyzing, and visualizing complex datasets generated by our interdisciplinary science teams. Beyond that, Sruti stays current with the latest research in the field to keep her work cutting-edge.

For her research contributions to environmental biotechnology and bioprocess engineering. Specifically, for her research on the biological conversion of methane through the use of methane-eating bacteria to mitigate climate change and utilize waste gases.

Dr. Ashwini Bedekar is a dedicated environmental biotechnologist with a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from India. With over 8 years of experience, she has developed innovative technologies to address environmental challenges, focusing on issues like global warming and water pollution. After relocating to the USA and pursuing a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Ashwini has become a committed research scientist. Her primary goal is to transform methane gas into valuable chemicals, contributing significantly to environmental sustainability.

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For her demonstration of continued dedication to the support and mentorship of women in STEM disciplines.

Hilary A. Kenny, Ph.D. is a Research Associate Professor in the Gordon Center for Integrative Sciences at the University of Chicago. Dr. Kenny is the co-director of the Ovarian Cancer Research Group and an upper-level cancer biology course, ‘Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis’ at University of Chicago. Dr. Kenny’s research focuses on the role of the tumor microenvironment during ovarian cancer development and metastasis. Her research has focused on the molecular mechanisms involved in ovarian cancer adhesion, invasion, metabolic activity, and proliferation of multiple microenvironmental factors, including fibronectin, vitronectin, mesothelial cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, adipocytes, NK cells, T cells, and ovarian cancer stem cells. She utilizes different 3D organotypic cultures composed of primary human cells to investigate the different mechanisms of ovarian cancer development, metastasis, resistance to therapy, and confirm these mechanisms in vivo in mouse xenograft models. Dr. Kenny has adapted a 3D organotypic culture to a reliable and robust quantitative high-throughput screen.

For her dedication to mentorship and education for women and LGBTQIA+ persons in STEM through her participation in ComSciCon 2022’s “Advocating for Science” and IIT’s “Queer in STEM” panels, in addition to her continued support of aspiring research scientists in her positional as a postdoctoral fellow.

Lucille Ray is a postdoctoral fellow at University of Illinois Chicago in the Cancer Health Equity and Career Development T32 program. Her research explores the gut microbiome and its impact on cancer disease states, such as colon cancer and breast cancer, through regulation of hormone circulation in the gut. Her long term goals are to improve health outcomes for marginalized populations through increased research in areas of high health outcome disparity. This includes improved communication and outreach with members of marginalized and underrepresented communities to increase participation in science and bring their voices into the scientific dialogue. Online she can be found on Linkedin and on X (formerly twitter).