I strongly believe that through strengthening diversity in academia, we gain talent, perspective, and excellence. Therefore, I am committed to infusing diversity and diversity-related issues in my research, teaching and service.

Since 2016, I have organized a Women in Science group (initially with Erica Larson) within the OBEE department at the University of Montana. We regularly engage with junior scientists in the community and discuss issues related to promoting diversity in science. Our events include lunches with seminar speakers, panel discussions, reading groups for books and primary literature, and networking events.

The Women in Science group is generously supported through continued contributions from the University of Montana Division of Biological Sciences.

The Women in Science group during a lunch with Dr. Rosemary Grant (Princeton University) in October 2019.

Schedule of events

Fall 2016 – Spring 2017

• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Raina Plowright (Montana State University)
• Panel Discussion with Drs. Lila Fishman (University of Montana), Creagh Breuner (University of Montana), Ana Sala (University of Montana), Angela Luis (University of Montana), and Andrea Case (Kent State University)
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Anne Dalziel (Saint Mary’s University)
• Paper discussion on bias in academia
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Jarmila Pittermann (UCSC)
• Book club, “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren
• Toast to Our Accomplishments (social)
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Joanna Kelley (Washington State University)
• End-of-year brunch (social)

Fall 2017 – Spring 2018

• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Jennifer Thaler
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Susanne Pfeifer
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Deborah Gordon
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Allison Shaw
• Paper discussion on imposter syndrome
• Toast to Our Accomplishments (social)
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Sheila Patek
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Kristi Montooth
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Liza Comita

Fall 2018 – Spring 2019

• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Nancy Moran
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Sarah Fitzpatrick
• Paper discussion of Holman et al. 2018, PLoS Biology on gender gap in authorship and Carter et al. 2018 PLoS ONE on women’s visibility in seminars
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Caroline Williams
• Toast to Our Accomplishments (social)
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Hanna Kokko
• Jobs Panel on government science jobs with Dr. Lucretia Olsen (USFS), Dr. Sasha Reed (USGS), and Andrea Stanley (MT), co-hosted with Missoula GWIS
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Bridgett vonHoldt
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Maria Uriarte

Fall 2019

• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Britt Heidinger
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Rosemary Grant
• Coffee with seminar speaker, Dr. Kay Holecamp
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Polly Campbell
• Jobs Panel on industry science jobs with Dr. Chris Brick (Clark Fork Coalition), Christine Brissette (Trout Unlimited), and Amy Gallagher (SimBio), co-hosted with Missoula GWIS
• Lunch with seminar speaker, Dr. Eva Fischer

Below are some of my go-to resources for information, blogs, and other interesting articles:

Dr. Sarah Rugheimer’s Women in STEM Resources
Catalyst Women in the Sciences
Association for Women in ScienceWomen in Bio
Diversify EEBTenure She Wrote