In last month’s piece we learned about an up and coming organization that is centered on being the spark, the inspiration, the motivation for women, especially across the continent of Africa in the fields of STEM. This month’s article we focus on the next aspect of that journey, the many women in universities who are lacking in the support and access to reach the top of their respective STEM fields. This has lead us to an organization right here in the United States. Knowing and understanding what steps to take and what pits to avoid is essential in anyone’s growth especially in an area where there is not a lot of representation. The Scientista Foundation, created by two sisters, is doing just that, filling that void.
In 2011, Julia and Christina Tartaglia started Scientista Foundation after attending and graduating from Harvard University with degrees in Biology. The creation of Scientista Foundation came about due to a notable lack of focus on female pre-professionals, there has been “no national organization focuse[d] on the specific needs of female college and graduate students.”[1] The organization is a one-stop shop for female students to not only connect with each other but receive advice, resources for internships and jobs, among many other things. To develop the network, a chapter is set up on a university campus through the identification of female scientists, a connection is also created between the chapter and other existing STEM organizations. These chapters from the various universities are also connected to one another so as to create regional platforms for the female students. Each chapter when established is automatically linked with the many resources of Scientista Foundation: jobs and opportunities postings, funding, event calendars, national events and so on.[2] From networking and holding conferences, Scientista Foundation provides these women with the necessary resources to keep their motivation and to achieve their goals.
Since its inception in 2011, Scientista Foundation can be seen on campuses of more than 10 universities across America, including: Harvard University, Fordham University, University of Arizona and Princeton University.[3] It has gone on to successfully launch an intercollegiate Research Symposium that began annually in April of 2014, with the theme of “Scientistas Speak Up – The Importance of Communication in STEM.” Later this year we can look forward to the next installation of the symposium, which is to be held in October at the Microsoft Office in New York City with the theme of “Scientistas Stand Up – Becoming a Leader in STEM.”[4] The organization has also gone on to collaborate with the likes of the Huffington Post and the Association of Women in Science among other organizations and media companies.
Julia and Christina Tartaglia have created a space for pre-professional women who are usually left out and not targeted when speaking of women and STEM. The role they have filled has gone on to assist female students in varying capacities. Whether it is to get a sense of a community or to look for job opportunities, the Scientista Foundation is that one place for female scientists around the country to access all of their needs.
To learn more about the Scientista Foundation and to get to their many resources go to http://www.scientistafoundation.com/ .
[1] “About Scientista,” http://www.scientistafoundation.com/about-us.html.
[2] “What we do…,” http://www.scientistafoundation.com/what-we-do.html.
[3] “Scientista Campus Network – Find My Campus,” http://www.scientistafoundation.com/my-campus.html.
[4] “Events,” http://www.scientistafoundation.com/events.html.