Women in Science
Beginning in 2006, the Women in Science and Technology Program (WST) has brought together hundreds of female students from Boston-area high schools for a month-long weekend program of research, lectures, field trips, and the opportunity to meet mentors and role models from scientific disciplines. Participants spend time engaged in laboratory experiments led by women undergraduate science majors from Boston College, who volunteer their time and serve in leadership roles. The high school students also enjoy field trips and special lectures designed to demystify science with real-life applications. Activities have included panel presentations by female undergraduate researchers, lectures by women who work in the scientific industry as well as faculty members from Boston College science departments, and a tour of the research laboratories at Olaris Therapeutics.
Mentors
Prof. Lynne O’Connell from Chemistry,
Prof. Michelle Meyer from Biology, and
Prof. Benedetta Flebus
from Physics serve as advisors and role models.
Dr. Elizabeth O’Day initiated the WST Program in 2006 when she was a Boston College undergraduate student because she wanted to share her enthusiasm for science with young women and introduce them to career opportunities in the field. Dr. O’Day received her Ph.D. from Harvard University and founded the Cambridge based pharmaceutical company Olaris Therapeutics.
For more information, contact womeninscienceandtech@gmail.com
Empowering Women
“To me, this program is about giving women more opportunities and showing that women can succeed in these fields even though in the past they have been male-dominated.”