For 15 years, the AWIS Chicago Area Chapter (AWIS-CAC) has honored women in science with their Scientist of the Month (SOTM) article series. These articles celebrate the contributions and journeys of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). AWIS-CAC’s SOTM series also aims to inspire the next-generation of women in STEM through highlighting each recipient’s path to their current career, in addition to their contributions to their chosen field. Over the years, AWIS has had the honor of interviewing women in all walks of STEM, from academia to education to industry.

Additionally, each SOTM represents a woman who has impacted the life of one of their mentors, friends, or colleagues. Nominations, while sometimes inspired by incredible scientific contributions, are open to any woman in STEM who has positively impacted someone’s life or who deserves recognition for their commitment to women in the sciences.

In further pursuit of this goal, AWIS-CAC added the Innovators & Motivators Podcast series in 2019. Each quarter, the podcast series features a scientist who has demonstrated the ability to innovate and/or motivate in their chosen STEM career path. Each scientist is invited on the podcast with their mentee for a conversation about their career journey in STEM, accomplishments, and their unique view of what it’s like being a woman in the sciences

Every career journey is unique, and AWIS-CAC aims to celebrate these experiences in both the article and podcast series. This also includes highlighting potential career options outside of academia. Recently, Dr. Laura Tran, an Assistant Editor with The Scientist, was featured on the podcast series alongside mentee Malia Gasteier.

Here, Dr. Tran had a chance to discuss her journey from research into the realm of science communication, and ultimately science writing and journalism. Prior to working for The Scientist, Laura’s research focused on how circadian rhythms and alcohol consumption affect the gut

“Being nominated for AWIS’s podcast series was an incredibly rewarding experience. It was a great opportunity to catch up with my mentee, reflect on my own journey, and share some insights. While navigating my career trajectory in STEM, mentoring was not only a great way to impart the “tips and tricks” of the lab, but also to provide resources, encourage my mentee to pursue new opportunities, and maintain a supporting role in her life.”

Every year, alongside the Innovator & Motivator’s podcast, AWIS-CAC honors the extraordinary women in STEM in the Chicagoland area through their Innovators & Motivators Annual Awards Ceremony. This further gives the chapter a chance to recognize and celebrate the important contributions of women in the sciences.

As the current VP of Events and Outreach for AWIS-CAC, Elodie Kadjo, a PhD candidate at the University of Illinois Chicago, has carried on the tradition of bringing in, for both the SOTM and podcast series, incredible scientists who are leading the way for women in STEM . Reflecting on her own experience, Elodie said, “Before joining the board of AWIS and working on writing and making [the series] myself, they made me realize how the career path of many scientists was not always as straight as I had imagined. Many scientists experienced difficulties and uncertainties similar to mine.”

“People usually don’t get to be vulnerable at work and these articles give an idea of how women perceive things in their day-to-day work,” Elodie continued, “Now that I can interview and listen to firsthand the stories of many scientists, I am encouraged to try things, take on responsibilities, and try my best with less fear of failure.”

In the future, AWIS-CAC plans to continue both the SOTM and podcast series with hopes of inspiring the next generation of women in STEM.

Learn more about the AWIS Chicago Area Chapter.