AAHI Celebrates International Women in Science Day

Thursday, February 16 2023

Left to Right: (Back) Elise Larson, Valerie Soza, Pauline Fusco, Millie Fung, Anna Marie Beckmann, (Front) Alana Gerhardt, Marissa Carrington, Jeralyn Roco, Julie Backken, Raodoh Mohamath

Tackling some of the world's most complicated challenges requires a comprehensive and balanced approach attainable only with the equal and full participation and leadership of women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Yet a mere 28 percent of workers in STEM fields are women, only a 19 percent increase since 1970 - 53 years ago. A future with the invaluable benefit of women's perspectives depends on continued support and encouragement for women and girls to lean into their curiosity about how the world works and why.  The gender paradigm in STEM education is progressively shifting to be more inclusive, with 45 percent female college students majoring in STEM. But pervasive gender inequalities still exist. In 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to declare February 11 the International Day of Women and Girls in Science to emphasize that gender equality plays a vital role in science. Real progress toward meaningful gender equality requires that we recognize and celebrate women's contributions in research and innovation and share experiences - good and bad - of what it is like to be a woman in STEM. 

From bench to our scientific leadership, our organization benefits from the contributions of women and we are proud to have 20 women scientists in an organization of only 74 people, to support and lead the research and development of equitably accessible vaccines.

Today, we introduce you to six women in every level of our organization, who share their experiences, advice, and what it is like to be a woman working at AAHI.

Unique Stories and Experiences