WASHINGTON WIRE

July 2021

» Happening At AWIS

‣ New issue of AWIS Magazine. We are excited to release the Innovation and Sustainability issue of AWIS Magazine, featuring rising AgTech leader Dr. Fatma Kaplan and many other women change-makers.

‣ Leadership workshop this week! Whether you are an existing manager or aspire to be, join our What’s Next webinar on Thursday, July 22 from 12-1 p.m. EDT to hone your skillset. Participants will identify tangible steps for fulfilling their leadership potential with certified career coach Erica Mattison.

‣ New membership level for students. Any undergraduate student, graduate student, or postdoctoral scholar can now receive the full benefits of AWIS membership at a discounted rate of $35 per year. Help us spread the news!

» In Case You Missed It

‣ Wally Funk defies exclusion from space: Mary Wallace “Wally” Funk went to space today as a Blue Origin crew member, after excelling in astronaut training decades ago but being barred from NASA based on her gender. (New York Times)

‣ A checklist for eliminating gender bias: Two women researchers have created a data-backed checklist for eliminating gender bias in neuroscience, including suggestions for individuals and institutions. (ScienceDirect)

‣ Black in X calls for support: The collective movement known as “Black in X” has successfully created community and visibility for Black scientists. But there’s still an urgent ongoing need for meaningful action against systemic racism in STEM. (Nature)

‣ Expanding scientific ASL signs: Deaf scientists are developing conceptually accurate ASL signs for scientific terms—and chipping away at long-standing barriers. (c&en)

‣ Harasser ejected from National Academies: The U.S. National Academies of Science has rescinded the lifetime membership of evolutionary biologist Francisco Ayala, who was found to have sexually harassed women colleagues. (Nature)

» The Bottom Line

“

If you think your science can make a difference, you should pursue it… where you are right now is the best time and place to start. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people who believe in you.”

– Dr. Fatma Kaplan, AWIS member and Co-Founder/CEO of Pheronym, is featured on the cover of the new Innovation & Sustainability issue of AWIS Magazine. Read the full interview.