-Networking-

Dr. Brenda Russell speaks at AWIS Networking event

November 2010 — On November 2nd, 2010, the Chicago Chapter of AWIS hosted a Networking Kickoff event at Northwestern University’s Lurie Cancer Center in downtown Chicago. After a light reception, our invited speaker Dr. Brenda Russell, a 2010 iCon awardee, addressed almost 50 participants about the challenges and rewards of her successful career path. After a brief narration of her career and life choices, Dr. Russell opened the floor to questions from the audience that addressed the issues and virtues about work-life balance, career jumps, mentoring, networking and self-awareness.

This was the first event hosted by the new AWIS-Chicago Board, and the event was spearheaded by the new President Joy Ramos, who introduced the new board and the chapter’s mission, while Dr. Russell was introduced by Paroo Upal, the VP of programs. Dr Brenda Russell is a Professor of Physiology, Biophysics, Bioengineering and Medicine, and Executive Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, at the University of Illinois at Chicago since 1988. There were a lot of active discussions during the event, with many staying behind after the talk (including the speaker!) to continue sharing experiences and advice with one another. AWIS-Chicago hopes to build on the momentum of its successful networking kickoff event to create other programs of interest to its members and the Chicago community in the near future.

-Outreach-

AWIS captivates students at Science Spooktacular

October 2010 — On a glorious October Saturday, golden sun bathed yellow-tinged maple leaves as AWIS members Larissa Belova, a scientist from the University of Chicago and VP for Outreach on AWIS-Chicago Board, and Kalpana Ramakrishnan, a graduate student from UIC, unloaded their exhibition materials at the doors of the Illinois Math and Science Academy in suburban Aurora. They came to participate in Science Spooktacular, a Halloween-themed event aimed at showing fourth- and fifth-grade girls possibilities in science, technology, engineering, and math. The Naperville and Aurora Area branches of the American Association of University Women and the Office of Science Technology, Engineering and Math, along with Northern Illinois University’s STEM Outreach, sponsored the event. AWIS was invited to participate along with 50 other exhibitors from the Chicago area.

The AWIS biological science exhibit had great success. A continuous stream of curious 10-12 year old girls (and some boys) were awed by live worms that slithered like snakes when seen under high magnification. Next to the worm station, girls played the role of pathologist and decided which of two patients would receive treatment. A challenging task even for seasoned pathologists! At another station, students measured the “fearlessness ” of two mice: one that lives alone and another that lives with other mice.  Who would leave a home base faster: a loner or a socialite?  Holding a timer in hand, the girls got the answer in a minute: being social gives a lot of courage. Located next to Microsoft exhibition, the AWIS table was as popular as the gaming giant’s display, leaving hardly a free minute for Larissa and Kalpana. “They were wonderful, and so busy, they never caught a break.  Everyone was fascinated with their exhibit”, said Nancy Steinberger of the Spooktacular Exhibitor Committee.

The day was waning when AWIS representatives left the event. “This is a great experience, very rewarding. To be able to talk about your research in language that 10-year old would understand is challenging. But hearing ‘Wow, look at this! ‘is the best reward you can get,” said Larissa, and Kalpana agreed. Both of them, although tired and exhausted, accomplished something very important: they shared their passion for science and inspired curiosity in young souls. Hopefully, one day they too will share their passion for science with others.

Larissa Belova

-Award Dinner-

4th Annual AWIS Chicago Innovator Award Dinner

May 2010–This year’s Innovator Award was presented to Alicia Loffler, PhD.  Alicia is the Associate Vice President for Innovation and New Ventures at Northwestern University.  She spoke about her career path and offered advice to those interested in less-traditional science careers.

-Women in Science Symposium-

Women in Science Symposium 2010: Building an Identity

April 2010–In partnership with the Chicago Council on Science and Technology (C2ST), AWIS hosted the first ever all-day Women in Science Symposium.  In recognition of the event, Mayor Daley recognized April 17, 2010 as Women in Science Day in Chicago.  Read the Mayor’s Proclamation.

-Outreach-

AWIS Chicago Special Award Given at the 60th Annual Chicago Public Schools Science Fair

March 2010—This science fair features the best projects from all over Chicago and it is one of the final stages before students advance to the international INTELScience and Engineering Fair to be held in San Jose, California in May, 2010.

AWIS Chicago has been a proud supporter of this science fair for many years and on this, its 60th year, chose girls who showed the most promise to receive an AWIS Special Award.  In 2009 AWIS Chicago presented four awards to young women with outstanding science projects in their specialty.

-Career Development-

AWIS Chicago Presented a Panel Discussion on Academic Contract Negotiation

February 2010–AWIS Chicago hosted a panel discussion targeted at women interested in pursuing careers in academic science.  Panelists Clodia Osipo, PhD (Loyola University Chicago), Michelle Swanson-Mungerson, PhD (Midwestern University) and Sally Horne–Badovinac, PhD (University of Chicago) gave their perspectives on what academic contracts are, how institutions handle the negotiation process and provided tips on how to get a faculty position.  This was the final installment of the AWIS Chicago 2009 ‘Effective Negotiation’ Career Development series.

* This event was co-sponsored by the Northwestern University Office of Post-doctoral Affairs.

Topics covered in the panel discussion:

• Panelist career paths to their current faculty position.
• Advice to those interested in pursuing a career in academia to position themselves for a tenure-track position.
• Insight into the academic hiring process.
• Information about “traditional” faculty appointment and becoming tenure-track.
• What an academic contract constitutes.
• Whether all universities require contracts.
• Ability to negotiate terms in academic contracts.
• Types of things that can be negotiated in an academic contract. (i.e. funding, laboratory space, teaching appointment, project, collaboration with other labs, hiring practices (for technicians), time off for family, student researcher quota, etc.)
• Situations where negotiation is not allowed.
• Impact of personal life (spouse, children, being single) on academic negotiation.
• Ability to re-negotiate an academic contract.

-Networking-

AWIS Chicago Lift A Fork Networking Event at Pete Miller’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant

January 2010–2009 was a great year for AWIS Chicago, so we took the opportunity to celebrate with our members and their families.  Attendees enjoyed socializing, cocktails and appetizers in Evanston.  AWIS Chicago participated in Pete Miller’s Steak & Seafood restaurant’s Lift a Fork program, which contribued 20% of the eventing’s bill to AWIS Chicago.  Proceeds will be used towards helping AWIS Chicago expand programming and outreach in 2010.

Want to keep yourself up-to-date on AWIS Chicago activities? Follow AWIS Chicago on Twitter! You can request to be added to our listserve by clicking here, and join the AWIS Chicago group on LinkedIn and Facebook by clicking the icons on the bottom right of this page.