6 minute read
WOMEN+ IN CHEMISTRY: A TIME FOR CELEBRATION
WOMEN+ IN CHEMISTRY: A TIME FOR CELEBRATION
On October 25, the UNC-Chapel Hill Celebration of Women+ in Chemistry gathered over 200 students, postdocs, faculty, and alumni from industry and academia to honor their professional achievements and share their unique experiences with the next generation.
Written by: Emily Sherman
“The past 20 years have brought an exciting academic and personal journey that’s come full circle,” said Dr. Lindsay Ingerman James, UNC-Chapel Hill alum and director of the Chemical Biology program in the Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy “The supportive faculty, amazing students, and collaborative work environment have kept me at UNC the entirety of my 20-year career, as have my husband and kids. We are all die-hard Tar Heels; even our one-year-old son boos Duke whenever a game comes on TV.”
The first female tenure-track faculty member in UNC’s Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry in the School of Pharmacy, James develops strategies for destroying cancer-promoting proteins. By synthesizing molecules that link these proteins to enzymes in protein-degradation paths, James’s group can recruit the body’s natural machinery to destroy the harmful molecules The group demonstrated they can destroy their specific protein target which is associated with bone marrow cancer.
“In the last 50 years, the department has made immense progress towards creating an equitable, inclusive community for people of all backgrounds,” said Department of Chemistry chair Jim Cahoon as he highlighted Linda Spremulli, the first female Department chair and faculty member. “The Celebration of Women+ in Chemistry was an opportunity to recognize that progress and continue building the intergenerational community that will drive us forward”
“The Celebration of Women+ in Chemistry was an opportunity to recognize that progress and continue building a diverse community to drive progress for everyone.”
James was just one of the women who presented her contributions at the symposium in the historic Carolina Inn Others included UNC Professor Jillian Dempsey, who leads the charge to develop renewable fuels as the Deputy Director of the Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels (CHASE) She shared her group's quest for creating an “artificial leaf” whose surface absorbs energy from the sun and uses it to convert CO2 into liquid fuel.
Alum Dr. Sharon Burgmayer reflected on her 40-year journey from inorganic graduate student to tenured professor, then dean, at Bryn Mawr College As a student in Dr Joe Templeton's group, Burgmayer became intrigued by the element molybdenum, or as she affectionately named it: "Moly" This passion guided her group ’ s research, which unearthed new details of molybdenum-containing enzymes' structure and reactivity and shed light on Moly's role in vital enzymatic processes, including DNA processing and toxin destruction.
"After spending my 40-year career with Moly, I'm now in the process of retiring: closing my labs, writing my last manuscripts…" said Burgmayer, "so the invitation to speak at the symposium makes me feel like I've come full circle."
Although her research interests led her to the West Coast, Dr. Valerie Schmidt, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCSD, still considers UNC the heart of her research training. During her address, the alum described how she used her training to investigate the flow of electrons at the core of her group ’ s new synthetic reactions. This understanding allowed them to revisit a supposed solved problem in synthesis and develop a new, more efficient method to form the carbon-nitrogen bonds ubiquitous in pharmaceuticals.
“That’s the best thing about science,” said Schmidt. “It’s never done! There’s always something more to study.”
In addition to the faculty presenters, nine alumnae panelists from across academia and industry shared their insights on a variety of topics Some recommended strategies for finding a supportive work environment; these included asking interviewers about the contributions of women in the company and what percentage are promoted. Others suggested seeking mentors in diverse roles, including professional sponsors, emotional supporters, and role models. A third panel described strategies for supporting underrepresented chemists such as highlighting their contributions to the field and promoting their placement in leadership positions. Other alumnae informally shared their experiences, including Mary Grimm, who earned her B.S. in Chemistry in the 1960s and was the only woman in her class; she went on to investigate pesticides’ effects with the newly founded Environmental Protection Agency.
Current graduate students were highlighted as well: several moderated the panelists’ discussions or presented lightning-fast poster pitches from the symposium stage, while over 30 students presented their work during the poster session Poster presentation winners included Raina Semenick, Courtney Johnson, Abigail Gringeri, and Gabrielle West, and Kriti Shukla.
“When I decided to pursue graduate studies at UNC in 1991, I remember seeing the high representation of female students and feeling included, like my representation would matter,” said Jennifer McCafferty, Merck executive and organizing committee member.
It's wonderful to return and honor the fantastic women who help make up the department today.
In the final keynote address, McCafferty blended a primer on drug development with key lessons from her journey to Senior VP at Merck. As she travelled from the analytical laboratories at UNC, to the production factories at Merck, to the upper echelons of management, she sought ways to integrate family life with her fast-paced career Her advice to the next generation of chemists?
“Lean into your life, into your career, and find the blend you need to be your authentic self. There’s no perfect solution for integrating the two, but there are ways to make it happen," said McCafferty. "It keeps me going to know I'm showing my kids what it looks like to have a career that matters, for men and for women."
