[gwaMIT] gwaMIT Newsletter, January 11th, 2021

[gwaMIT]

gwaMIT Newsletter

January 11th, 2021


Happy new year to the entire gwaMIT community!



gwaMIT Picture a Scientist Screening
Thanks to those of you who have signed up for the gwaMIT screening of Picture a Scientist! If you would like to participate in our post-screening discussion (7pm ET TOMORROW Tuesday January 12), there is still time to sign up: https://forms.gle/ipU6Mprjdeha7m7D8
Looking forward to the discussion!
From the theatrical release:
Award-winning directors Ian Cheney (THE CITY DARK, THE SEARCH FOR GENERAL TSO, THE MOST UNKNOWN) and Sharon Shattuck (FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, ANIMATED LIFE SERIES) are breaking new ground by releasing their new full-length documentary film, Picture a Scientist, on virtual theater screens across North America. Featuring geologist Jane Willenbring, chemist Raychelle Burks, and biologist Nancy Hopkins, as well as key social scientists working to understand and reduce gender bias in the sciences, Picture a Scientist brings diversity in science into sharp view at a critical time. The current pandemic is a call to action for scientists to work together globally, with a multitude of different perspectives, to defeat COVID-19. For too long, women and other minorities in science have been left out or driven out, stymied by a system of harassment, discrimination, and general bias. “Any impediment to advancing minorities in science is an impediment to science itself,” says Sharon Shattuck, co-director of Picture a Scientist. Scheduled to premiere at the postponed 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, Picture a Scientist paints a nuanced, emotional but unflinching portrait of the struggles women in science have faced, in recent decades up to today. The film challenges audiences of all backgrounds and genders to question their own implicit biases and move toward change.



Mentoring & Networking Event with AMITA

Save the date for a networking and mentoring event with the Association of MIT Alumnae (AMITA)! The event will take place 7pm on Tuesday January 26, 2021. Stay tuned for more details!



Sign Up to Help Organize the 2021 gwaMIT Leadership Conference

Sign-up link: here<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeslpWipUbEgwhzM5db0LKTUGp-mo7eKrOD_tH2-WPsvYuafA/viewform?usp=sf_link>

We are currently accepting sign-ups to help plan our annual Leadership Conference, which will be held virtually from April 5th to April 9th:

* Co-Chairs: Conference Co-Chairs lead the committee members, set the conference theme, and oversee all general planning of the conference.

* Event Leads: Each conference has 4-5 Event Leads who each spearhead a single event (either an invited speaker, a panel, a workshop, etc.).

*Committee Members: attend regular meetings, contribute to theme brainstorming, logistics, publicity, and volunteer during events.

Please contact the gwaMIT Executive Board at gwamit-exec at mit.edu if you have any questions. We also encourage you to read more about previous conferences and events on our website: https://gsc.mit.edu/gwamit/. We look forward to working with you!



gwaMIT Publicity Chair Position Open for Applications!

Looking for a way to get involved with gwaMIT? Join our Executive Board! We are recruiting for the Publicity Chair position on the GWAMIT Executive Board for the 2021-22 academic year. Candidates would be expected to start in February 2021. Prior experience with gwaMIT is not necessary to apply. Prior experience with WordPress and web editors is not necessary, but appreciated.

As we are actively working to create a Board that is representative of the MIT student body, individuals from underrepresented and minoritized groups are especially encouraged to apply. The primary responsibilities include maintaining content for the gwaMIT website, blog and social media sites, overseeing the creation and ordering of gwaMIT marketing materials and supplies, and aid committees on poster design, website development and event announcements. A link to the position description is included in the application form. Once you fill out the application form, please remember to set up a one-on-one meeting with a borad member. Please fill out the application<https://forms.gle/HdEj4JwvojDGo6f79> by Friday, January 22, 11:59pm EDT.

If you have any questions, please contact us at gwamit-exec at mit.edu.



Did you know? Here is some womxn-related news from around the world:

Read about 20 womxn in biopharma R&D, highlighted in this online article<https://endpts.com/special-report-twenty-extraordinary-women-blazing-trails-in-biopharma-rd-covid-19-and-beyond/>.

A fine was issued to the City of Paris because Mayor Anne Hidalgo appointed more women than allowed by the employment law in 2018 to positions in city hall. Read more here<https://slate-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/12/city-of-paris-fined-mayor-anne-hidalgo-appointed-too-many-women.amp>.

Read<https://megaphone.upworthy.com/p/dolly-parton-imagination-library> about Dolly Parton’s charity, Imagination Library, which has recently donated its one hundred millionth children’s book. The charity aims to inspire a love of reading in young children.

Deb Haaland has made history<https://www.vox.com/2020/12/17/22180256/deb-haaland-interior-secretary-biden> by becoming the first Native American womxn to be appointed to the Cabinet.

Learn about The Curie Society<https://www.thebookseller.com/insight/heather-einhorn-how-curie-society-aims-broaden-perceptions-stem-female-protagonists-1227703>, a graphic novel being released by MIT Press in 2021, which features female protagonists in STEM.

Professor Dava Newman was named the new director of the MIT Media Lab<https://news.mit.edu/2020/media-lab-director-newman-1222>. Congratulations, Professor Newman!

Meet Katalin Karikó<https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/16/us/katalin-kariko-covid-19-vaccine-scientist-trnd/index.html> whose work in mRNA therapy was crucial for the development of the COVID-19 vaccine.

On December 30th, 2020, Google featured Alaska Native, civil rights activist, Elizabeth Peratrovich on its homepage. You can read more about her life and contributions to anti-discrimination law here<https://www.google.com/doodles/celebrating-elizabeth-peratrovich>.

Read<https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-53096029> about the UK’s first hijab-wearing model, Ikram Abdi Omar, who has been featured in a variety of magazines and advertisements, including the cover of Vogue.

At the close of 2020, Argentina legalized abortion<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/30/argentina-legalises-abortion-in-landmark-moment-for-womens-rights> in a huge step for women’s rights. It is now the third South American country to do so.

Read Cell Press’s list of 1,000 inspiring Black scientists in America<http://crosstalk.cell.com/blog/1000-inspiring-black-scientists-in-america>, which includes professors and researchers from MIT!



Events & Opportunities

  1.  HGWiSE Fireside chat with Lily Peng, MD, PhD (Jan. 11th)
  2.  IAP Offering: Understanding Islam (Jan. 12th & 27th)
  3.  ICEO Community Dialogues: Introduction to Restorative Practices (Jan. 19th)
  4.  ColorMePhD Volume 2: Women in STEM
  5.  Coding it Forward – Civic Digital Fellowship (apply by Jan. 24th)
  6.  Pear VC PhD Fellow Application (apply by Jan. 29th)
  7.  Reimagining Public Safety (Feb. 4th)
  8.  MassNextGen Now Accepting Applications! (apply by Feb. 12th)
  9.  Introducing Hack(H)er413 2021 (Feb. 13th)
  10. "Amplify Your Technical Education to Build a Better World!” (sign up now!)
  11. Become a gwaMIT Department Rep (now!)



  1.  HGWiSE Fireside chat with Lily Peng, MD, PhD

Please join us for a night with Lily Peng
Lily Peng, MD, PhD is a physician-scientist and Product Manager at Google Health. Her team works on applications of AI to increase access and quality of medical care, from diabetic eye diseases to breast cancer. Before Google, Lily was a product manager at Doximity and co-founder of Nano Precision Medical. She received her MD/PhD in Bioengineering from UCSF and B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Stanford. In this fireside chat, we'll get to hear from Lily about her career trajectory, work at Google, and advice for medical, science, and engineering students interested in industry and health-related applications.
When: Monday, Jan 11, 2021, 6-7pm EST
Zoom link: https://harvard.zoom.us/j/94417364450<https://gmail.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=44d533f874661512f18999694&id=5aaa299b76&e=93955d9aba>
RSVP here: https://bit.ly/3getwyE<https://gmail.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=44d533f874661512f18999694&id=bedd70b273&e=93955d9aba>


  1.  IAP Offering: Understanding Islam
Tuesday, January 12, 1 – 2pm
Wednesday, January 27, 3 – 4pm
Islam is frequently talked about in the media, but continues to be a mystery to most people.
What is the Muslim's concept of God? The afterlife? Who was prophet Muhammad? What do Muslims say about Abraham, Moses, and Jesus? What are the core beliefs and practices of Islam?
"Understanding Islam" offers an opportunity to see beyond common misconceptions, and learn from Muslims about their fourteen-century old faith, professed by 1.8 billion people worldwide. A Q&A session is included.
This online session is open to first-timers only (people who have not previously attended similar sessions.) Space is limited.
Event Timing: Tuesday January 12th, 2020 (1-2 pm) or Wednesday January 27th, 2021 (3-4 pm)
Register at: https://forms.gle/eEixi2LgS45CreR17
If you have any questions, feel free to email the Muslim Chaplain, Nada El-Alami, at mchnada at mit.edu<mailto:mchnada at mit.edu>



  1.  ICEO Community Dialogues: Introduction to Restorative Practices
With Gurleen Singh
Tuesday, January 19 @ 12:00 – 1:30pm
Zoom link available upon registration
The session will cover an introduction to restorative practices, common restorative frameworks, and the difference between restorative practice and restorative justice.
Participants will also be led through an activity that reviews the balance between accountability and support.
Join for an hour of learning, laughter, and collective reflection!
We are committed to making this dialogue accessible to all MIT community members. For accessibility requests, email rornitz at mit.edu<mailto:rornitz at mit.edu>.
Click HERE to register!<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iceo-community-dialogues-introduction-to-restorative-practices-tickets-133719908847>



  1.  ColorMePhD Volume 2: Women in STEM

Julie Rorrer (Postdoc, MIT Chemical Engineering) founded an outreach program that creates coloring pages to communicate current PhD-level research in science and engineering, called ColorMePhD. They just released ColorMePhD Volume 2, featuring research by early-career women in STEM (including the ChemE department's own Katie Galloway and Ariel Furst). The coloring book is free to download from their website (www.colormephd.org<http://www.colormephd.org>) or directly from this link (https://bit.ly/colormephdvol2). Please check it out, and help spread the word by sharing to your friends and community, especially aspiring scientists!



  1.  Coding it Forward – Civic Digital Fellowship

Coding it Forward is looking for our next cohort of Civic Digital Fellows<https://www.codingitforward.com/civic-digital-fellowship>—mission-driven students and recent graduates who want to use their software engineering, data science, design, or product management skills to contribute to high-impact projects at federal government agencies.

As a Fellow, you’ll receive one-on-one mentorship opportunities, participate in intimate conversations with leading technology and civic organizations, benefit from a strong and supportive community, and have the opportunity to impact a large user base—323 million Americans.

Join the 200+ Civic Digital Fellowship alumni who’ve worked on high-impact projects<https://github.com/codingitforward>—including saving taxpayers millions of dollars in survey costs using machine learning algorithms at the Census Bureau, building tools for diplomats abroad at the State Department, and developing a tool at the VA for Veterans to more easily take advantage of their GI Bill benefits.

Join us at an upcoming information session<https://cdf21.com/rsvp-student-org> and start applying on Monday, December 21st<https://cdf21.com/apply-studentorg>. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so we encourage you to apply early and no later than January 24th at 11:59 p.m. PT. Please send any questions to recruiting at codingitforward.com<mailto:recruiting at codingitforward.com>.


  1.  Pear VC PhD Fellow Application

Pear VC has now opened applications for a PhD Fellow role at MIT. Apply here:https://forms.gle/qVZgmZP5oMRtk6rH6

Application deadline is midnight 1/29/21

The Pear Fellows<https://www.pear.vc/fellows> program is a VC apprenticeship with a leading early stage venture capital fund. Fellows collaborate directly with Pear’s investment team to discover founders, make investment decisions, and support portfolio companies‍.

The Pear VC team has founded 8 startups and has partnered early with companies now worth over $80 Billion, including Doordash, Branch, Guardant Health, and Gusto. Pear partners with founders from day zero and provide hands-on support to help build the next wave of category-defining companies. A strong belief in student founders is demonstrated by 49% of their portfolio companies being founded by students.


  1.  Reimagining Public Safety
Date: February 4th, 2020, 1-2:30PM ET
2020 brought us a visceral moment of national reckoning with the policies and structures that harm people of color in the criminal justice system. The events of January 7th, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol similarly illustrate the double standard of police response to different races, even in the face of criminal violence. These events should motivate us to critically reflect on what public safety means, and how it is best achieved. The purpose of this event will be to bring in experts that can speak to the historical and contemporary dialogue around Black community relations with the police and alternatives to traditional police systems. We feel it critical to acknowledge these national conversations and how they may or may not benefit our MIT community. Attendees of this event will walk away with deeper understanding of the “Defund the police movement” and the information to form their own opinions about how public safety should look on a college campus. Join us this Black History Month!
Stay tuned for more details!



  1.  MassNextGen Now Accepting Applications!

We are excited to announce the Massachusetts Next Generation Initiative<https://masslifesciences.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4c3b09db6f3e37f7e9777d2bb&id=9d56cb4e4d&e=6ec9ad8c41> (MassNextGen) is accepting applications for the fourth round of the program. MassNextGen is a five year, more than $2 million commitment to ensure greater gender parity in the next generation of life science entrepreneurs. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 12, 2021.
Awardees will receive a yearlong customized package of support, which includes non-dilutive grant funding and access to a network of seasoned Executive Coaches<https://masslifesciences.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4c3b09db6f3e37f7e9777d2bb&id=fca638f207&e=6ec9ad8c41>. Throughout the year, entrepreneurs will work to refine their business strategies, building a toolkit to more effectively raise capital.
Together, with the support from industry partners<https://masslifesciences.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4c3b09db6f3e37f7e9777d2bb&id=47b21f27dc&e=6ec9ad8c41> including, Takeda, King Street Properties, Sanofi, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, and most recently Mintz, MassNextGen can continue to shift the paradigm to build a diverse ecosystem with equal representation.
Since the program’s inaugural year in 2018, the MLSC has supported 16 female entrepreneurs and provided more than $1 million in funding with an executive coaching network providing 200-plus hours of coaching. Some highlights of MassNextGen entrepreneurs building their teams and progressing forward with new opportunities:

  *   First-year awardee Olaris<https://masslifesciences.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4c3b09db6f3e37f7e9777d2bb&id=656aedf559&e=6ec9ad8c41> closed its Series A funding round in September 2019, now employing a team of seven
  *   First-year awardee, Reveal Pharmaceuticals<https://masslifesciences.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4c3b09db6f3e37f7e9777d2bb&id=d35f7aac68&e=6ec9ad8c41> received a Fast-Track Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award from the National Cancer Institute
  *   Second-year awardee EnVision Endoscopy<https://masslifesciences.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4c3b09db6f3e37f7e9777d2bb&id=b33994f3f2&e=6ec9ad8c41> completed critical prototyping, while also receiving SBIR funding
  *   Second-year awardees, PhagePro and LivOnyx<https://masslifesciences.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4c3b09db6f3e37f7e9777d2bb&id=c9d5497fa4&e=6ec9ad8c41>, were able to make critical hires
  *   Second-year awardee, Lucy Therapeutics, received a Golden Ticket at LabCentral
  *   Second-year awardee, See Yourself Health, has executed key partnerships putting them in a better position to add to customers and partners

We encourage those interested and eligible to apply<https://masslifesciences.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4c3b09db6f3e37f7e9777d2bb&id=0ed04616ed&e=6ec9ad8c41> by Feb. 12, 2021. We look forward to working with our next cohort of female entrepreneurs, coaches, and sponsors. Please email us<mailto:MassNextGen at masslifesciences.com> if you have any questions.



  1.  Introducing Hack(H)er413 2021
The Hack(H)er413 team invites you to our 2021 hackathon taking place February 13th, 2021! Hosted annually by students at UMass Amherst, Hack(H)er413 is the first all-women and non-binary student hackathon in Western Massachusetts. For the first time, we'll be hosting a virtual hackathon over the course of 8 hours on February 13th, where hackathon participants will learn and develop technical skills through informative workshops, network with sponsor company representatives, and meet other tech-minded students. Although we will not be hosting a project contest this year, we're super stoked to be able to host a larger and more diverse cohort of amazing hackers from around the world.
Hack(H)er413 is open to all-women and non-binar high school and university students interested in technology and innovation, regardless of major, coding background, age or experience. Free for all participants!
Bring your resume to interview with companies for internships and new grad jobs.

Learn more and apply by creating an account at www.hackher413.com<http://www.hackher413.com/> by January 22nd.

Click here to check out last year's recap: HackHer413 2020: Rewind<https://youtu.be/xo6z2kOO58E>



  1.  "Amplify Your Technical Education to Build a Better World!”
Leadership education develops skills applicable across career paths, from leading research labs to leading project teams in engineering. Enroll in one or both of our Graduate Engineering Leadership Courses for Spring 2021, which qualify towards our Certificate in Technical Leadership.<https://gelp.mit.edu/grad-students/graduate-certificate-technical-leadership-interim-requirements> This certificate is designed to provide important skills that MIT graduate students can draw from to "make a positive difference" in their chosen careers. Grounded in research but experimental and engaging in delivery, these highly valued classes will provide enduring benefits for our graduate students – and future coworkers.*PhD candidates can also explore the option of using these class to satisfy the requirements for your doctoral minor.
Graduate Engineering Leadership Courses for Spring 2021 (**Open to all grad students!):
6.928J Leading Creative Teams<http://gelp.mit.edu/grad-creative-teams>
It takes a team to deliver impactful technical achievements and this class equips students with foundational skills for leading problem-solving teams and one’s own professional development.
M/W, 2:30-4pm EDT | Virtual | Units: G3-0-6
Instructor: David Nino (dnino at mit.edu<mailto:dnino at mit.edu>)
6.S979 Multi-Stakeholder Negotiation for Technical Experts<https://gelp.mit.edu/6s979-multi-stakeholder-negotiation-technical-experts>
Expand your natural tendencies and learn experientially both the theory and practice of interpersonal negotiation, influence and overcoming difficult relationship situations.
T, 2-4pm EDT | Virtual | Units: G2-0-4 |
Instructors: Samuel (“Mooly”) Dinnar (sdinnar at mit.edu<mailto:sdinnar at mit.edu>)
***For more information, visit our website. <https://gelp.mit.edu/grad>
*If you are interested in earning our certificate, please email Lisa Stagnone (lstag at mit.edu<mailto:lstag at mit.edu>) and David Niño (dnino at mit.edu<mailto:dnino at mit.edu>)



  1.  Become a gwaMIT department rep!

gwaMIT is accepting applications for the position of department representatives! As a gwaMIT department rep, you'll build connections across MIT and help in the personal & professional development of graduate womxn. It is also a powerful means to bring about department-level change and strive towards a more equitable and inclusive MIT. The position lasts for one year, with an option for renewal. Read more about the role and responsibilities here<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BepM4QWy2tUO7ju1dkIOt69lb9wJb_DIs9Us_ljVqUA/edit>. Fill out the short application form here<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxO1KrUGe7rS_tvZsAW8jOOMFNBnv5BdAi4ssn1svoKUqV9w/viewform>. Womxn who are members of underrepresented and minoritized groups are encouraged to apply. The departments with openings are: Sloan, ChemE, Arch, PolSci, HASTS, Humanities, Writing, NSE, CCWCE, CMS, CSB, MAS, CRE, CCE, CTL, EECS. If the position is currently filled, but you are still interested in being involved with gwaMIT, email us to let us know! We have multiple avenues for engagement in gwaMIT's activities and initiatives.



“Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.”

-Michelle Obama

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