ALUMNI NEWS
Closing the STEM Gender Gap A Panel of NA Alumnae in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Students of all ages frequently get asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Their answers may span across all professions – from science to medicine to education to the arts to athletics. While women are integral to the workforce, though, they are still underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). So it is extraordinary to have at Newark Academy a sizable and accomplished pool of female students who aspire to join the STEM community. Among them, Laila Shushtarian ’18 says she hopes to pursue a career in
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medicine; Julia Tarnow ’17 is interested in environmental justice; Stephanie Do ’19 aspires to be a cardiothoracic surgeon; and Alessia Mercuri ’18 wants to be a physical therapist or pursue a career in exercise science. NA students dream big and work hard to achieve their aspirations. In an effort to empower girls who will grow up to help cure diseases, write computer programs, discover the next technological advances and ultimately change the world, NA alumnae took part in an invigorating discussion on careers in STEM at the recent NA Women in STEM event, which took
TOP: At the NA Women in STEM Event, three alumnae panelists shared their professional journeys, greatest challenges, most interesting experiences and thoughts on the current role of women in STEM today. The panelists were Dr. Louise Klebanoff ’76, a member of the Department of Neurology at Weill Cornell Medical Center; Allie Hyans ’11, Business Development & Global Alliances Associate Manager at Celgene; and Ariele Faber ’08, Patient Experience Designer at NYU Langone Medical Center. Rebecca Moll Freed ’94 moderated the event. INSET: NA science faculty members: Bill Hobson, Amy Hone, Caitlin Berkefeld, Nancy Celente, Debra Tavares
place at Refinery29 and was hosted by NA parent and Refinery29 CRO Melissa Goidel. Continued alumnae support can help inspire young women – NA’s students – to pursue careers in STEM fields. Encouraging women to
consider careers in STEM early on in their academic journeys can have a transformative impact on efforts to solve world issues, and it is important to recognize the creative perspectives of all – both women and men.