Seattle AWIS Celebrates Women in STEM
Seattle AWIS has been supporting women in STEM since 1985. Their mission is to create a broad interdisciplinary, welcoming environment to advance the careers of women in science and technology, and promote the participation of girls in the sciences.
Seattle AWIS serves the community by providing five signature programs:
Events – They offer monthly programs September through June. These programs are free and open to all. Program topics include innovative research, science policy issues as well as professional development topics.
GEMS Program – Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science (GEMS) is a science enrichment program for 7th and 8th grade girls. The program introduces girls to a variety of science careers through monthly hands-on activities and field trips led by AWIS members.
Mentoring Program – Participants are placed in small groups paired with one or two mentors. They meet monthly to support one another with advice, encouragement and information.
Scholarship Program – They offer scholarships to junior and senior women majoring in STEM fields attending four-year colleges or universities in Washington state. The scholarships are made possible by donations from companies and generous individuals in the community.
Awards and Banquet – They present annual awards and honor these women at a spring banquet. Outstanding women in STEM are recognized for their science innovation, leadership and education achievements.
The 10th annual Seattle awards banquet took place June 18, 2024. “Inspirational” was the most common word used to describe it.
For 126 attendees, the annual banquet on June 18th was an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of women in STEM and bring together the community of companies, organizations, and individuals who work in STEM or support those who do. Attendees heard from the 2024 Award Winners, met the AWIS undergraduate scholarship recipients and donors, and enjoyed the company of other supporters of women in STEM.
Since the first awards banquet in 2013, the Seattle AWIS chapter has honored 26 women from industry, academia, and non-profit research organizations. The 2024 AWIS award winners are:
Science Advancement and Leadership
Connie Celum, MD, MPH, University of Washington, Departments of Global Health, Medicine and Epidemiology, Director of the International Clinical Research Center
Technology Advancement and Leadership
Adrienne Sutton, PhD, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, Research Oceanographer
Early Career Achievement in STEM
Feini (Sylvia) Qu, VMD, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Washington Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, Mechanical Engineering and Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine
Excellence in STEM Education/Outreach
Kaitlyn Casimo, PhD, MEd, Allen Institute, Manager, Education and Engagement
During the banquet program, the award winners spoke of who and what inspired them during their unique education and career pathways, and shared their advice for the next generation of women leaders and mentors. These women were nominated by colleagues and selected to be recognized for their innovation, outreach, and leadership. They have made an impact as mentors and role models for students and other professionals.
Banquet attendees were then introduced to the 2024 undergraduate scholarship recipients. The Seattle AWIS undergraduate scholarship program began in 1990. This year eight women were selected to receive scholarships totaling $46,500. The women are majoring in STEM fields and will be in their junior or senior year at Washington colleges or universities next year. The 2024 scholarship recipients are:
AWIS Members Scholarship
Jane Choi, University of Washington, Junior, Computer Science/Informatics
Lukehart Scholarship
Damaris Ibrahim, Pacific Lutheran University, Junior, Earth Science
Leon & Emma Solomon Memorial Scholarship
AWIS Members Scholarship
Jamie Perry, University of Washington, Senior, Civil Engineering
Hamrick-Smith Scholarship
AWIS Members Scholarship
Malia Recker, Gonzaga University, Senior, Applied Mathematics
Next Generation in Leadership Scholarship
Melissa Swain, University of Washington, Tacoma, Senior, Biomedical Sciences
Virginia Stout Memorial Scholarship
McKenna Sweet, University of Washington, Senior, Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology
Bohemian Scholarship
Virginia Stout Memorial Scholarship
Sarah Wolf, Seattle University, Junior, Mechanical Engineering
Camp-Gilbert Scholarship
Jhet Young, Seattle University, Junior, Mechanical Engineering
Donor Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center was recognized for its programs that encourage high school students to consider careers in STEM. They welcomed high school representatives from two Fred Hutch programs: Pathways Explorers Program and the Summer High School Internship Program.
The banquet was made possible by nine table sponsors:
PLATINUM PLUS: Bristol Myers Squibb, Seattle AAUW, Just-Evotec Biologics
PLATINUM: Allen Institute, WA Department of Commerce, David Kirtley & Anna Borris, University of Washington Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Estate of Virginia Stout
SILVER: University of Washington Global Health
Their sponsorship demonstrates support for women in STEM and enabled them to thank individuals within their companies by providing complimentary banquet seats.
Learn more about the Seattle AWIS chapter.