Every Wednesday, 4:30pm in Exley 137, WesWIS is experimenting with a weekly open student-only gathering to build community and provide mutual support, with discussions loosely organized around different themes (adjusting to college, self-care during midterms, managing stress) but largely open-ended. More info is forthcoming, but please join in next Wednesday, if you can! We plan to pilot this weekly gathering through the spring semester.

Upcoming Events:

• Next Tuesday, May 6, students from WesWIS an WesWAVES are sharing a presentation on the experiences of underrepresented students in STEM. Join us noon-1pm in Exley 058, pizza and drinks will be provided.

---

A wonderful event to bring New England SACNISTAS (and not SACNISTAS) together! Consider attending and bringing a poster or even try to give a talk! (Facebook Link)

2025 SACNAS New England Community Gathering, Saturday, April 12, 2025, New Haven, CT

Register by March 5: https://bit.ly/SACNASGatheringNE25

---

---

Presented by the Physics Department and the College of Integrative Sciences as part of Earth Month.

Science in Uncertain Times

Thursday, April 10·11:50am – 1:10pm; Exley 058

Students can join WesWAVES for a chat with Gabriel in Allbritton 311, 1:30pm.

RSVP: adane@wesleyan.edu

---

Come join us this Tuesday, April 1st, from 12-1 PM in Allbritton 304 for a panel on nonlinear career paths! Our panelists have taken unexpected routes in their careers—switching fields, facing setbacks, and figuring things out along the way. If you’ve ever felt unsure about what’s next, this is a great chance to hear real stories and get advice.

There’ll be time for Q&A, so bring your questions! And yes, there will be snacks.

We’d love to see you there, so bring a friend and join the conversation!

---

On Tuesday, February 18, 12:00pm, in Exley 137 we are hosting a "meet the faculty" gathering with female faculty from across the NSM division! Drop in to chat with faculty about getting involved with research (it's almost time to submit those CIS summer research applications!), career path advice, and whatever else is on your mind. Very informal, and we'll have snacks available!

---

Code_Wes is having their last event of the semester, Technical Interview and Software Engineering Internship Talk, at 12 pm on Friday, December 6 at Tishler Hall. Pizza and drink will be provided!

---

Tuesday, November 19. 12:00-1:00pm, Woodhead Lounge

Brown-bag lunch with new junior faculty women in the sciences (bring your own lunch)

You may have noticed that there are a lot of new junior faculty women in the sciences at Wesleyan this year, most of whom are starting up new labs, and all of whom are super-cool folks with lots of accumulated wisdom about what it's like to be a woman in science.  So we've arranged an opportunity for you to come and talk to them about whatever you like — their research, their career trajectory, the advice they have for aspiring young scientists, and how to join their labs.  We hope you can join us!

November 22, 12:00pm-1:00pm, Exley 137
WesWIS presents a Grad School Panel
This panel will feature Miko Nakamura and Sara Beth Bouchard and will offer valuable insight into all things graduate school. Miko and Sara Beth will join us to answer your questions and share their stories!

 

 

---

Code_Wes is having their last event of the semester, Technical Interview and Software Engineering Internship Talk, at 12 pm on Friday, December 6 at Tishler Hall. Pizza and drink will be provided!

Hackathon on November 16-17 at Exley Science Center! This event is designed to empower women in tech and offers two exclusive prize tracks for female participants. We’re especially committed to creating an inclusive space for women to participate.

Why Attend?

• No coding skills or experience required – all you need is curiosity and enthusiasm!
• Two exclusive special prize tracks designed to honor women in tech.
• Collaborate with supportive mentors and like-minded individuals.

New Registration Deadline: November 3rd

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1AKRo-4xfymMSnDOccwMDC61PIWVjawXmhPnuVIHa0Vg/

Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned coder, this hackathon is for you. Please spread the word among other tech enthusiasts.

We can’t wait to see what you’ll create! 

---

Mentoring Program 

We invite you to consider signing up for the WesWIS Fall 2024 Mentoring Program. It is a great way to get involved and connect. 

There are no requirements for the program only openness to get to know someone new and flexibility to hopefully meet a few times this semester! If this opportunity for advice, support, and connection speaks to you we highly encourage you to sign up! 

Mentoring Form: https://forms.gle/S4ipwHYtA7ZwnNAh6

---

Stargazing and Hot Chocolate

Thursday, October 3, 2024, 9:00-10:00pm, Van Vleck Observatory
Join us at Van Vleck Observatory to use the telescopes, enjoy hot chocolate, and chat with other women in science! The event is open to all majors and genders, so bring your friends! We will be there rain or shine! If the weather doesn't cooperate, we will be setting up the planetarium inside. We hope to see you there! 

---

Steering Committee

Steering Committee Applications are OPEN! 

Steering Committee members aid in planning events, organizing resources, and fostering community among gender minorities in STEM on campus! Positions are held until graduation, so we’re looking for enthusiastic STEM applicants dedicated to tackling the issues facing women and gender minorities in science.

 

Applications are due 9/27, and interviews will be conducted after application considerations. Please email us with any questions at weswis@wesleyan.edu. 

We look forward to reading your application! 

---

Women in Science Kickoff Meeting!

Friday, September 20, 2024, 12:00pm, Exley Science Center 121 — lunch provided!
Come eat some pizza, meet the Steering Committee, find out about WesWIS activities and events, give your input about how WesWIS can help you this year, and meet other awesome science majors. We hope you'll be able to join us!  People of all genders and majors are welcome at WesWIS events.  

---

 

 

In collaboration with Gordon Career Center's WesConnect, the Wesleyan alumni database, attend this in-person career panel of Wes alumni in diverse STEM careers this 6:00PM THURSDAY, April 11th at the Gordon Career Center! 

Hear panelists describe navigating their professional path after leaving college and meet and mingle in the Gordon Career Center! 

Panelists include Savanna Goldstein (Clinical Research Assistant at Hartford Hospital), Giselle Reyes (Scientist at Pfizer), Martha Mastrianni (Research Data Scientist at Quadrant Strategies), and Brian Tarbox (Amazon Web Services Solutions Architect). 

---

Faculty Failure Panel, Tuesday February 27th from 4:30pm at the Van Vleck Observatory (VVO) library.  Featuring Karen Collins, Renee Sher, Meredith Hughes

The Wasch Center for Retired Faculty is pleased to invite you to the first in our Wednesday afternoon lecture series: on Wednesday, February 28 at 4:30, Amrita Sanyal will speak about the work she has done on the under-representation of women in STEM fields. A recent recipient of the Ph.D. from Purdue, Amrita is Visiting Assistant Professor in Wesleyan’s Economics Department. In graduate school she studied the ways in which the 2009 “Race to the Top” program and the adoption of common K-12 programs affected U.S. students’ high-school and post-secondary performance and their eventual career choices. As an economist, she seeks to understand and address the gender gap in STEM fields and the resulting disparities in earning power.

All are welcome to attend, and refreshments will be served. The Wasch Center is located at 51 Lawn Avenue.

---

Annual WesWIS TRIVIA!!! Join us in Woodhead Lounge in Exley on Thursday, February 8 at 4:30 pm to play some science-themed trivia and win some fun prizes (We heard a rumor that there are tote bags!) All genders, majors, and identities are welcome to attend!  

Wednesday, Feb 7, 4:15pm, Exley 413: Lab tour with Prof. Raquel Bryant, who uses fossils to investigate ancient intervals of global warming

---

We are hosting a lab tour with Professor Feng, where students can learn more about her research and what it's like to work in a lab. 

Wednesday, November 29th  from 4 pm at Shanklin 304. All identities and majors are welcome at all WesWIS events!

---

Artificial Intelligence or Consciousness Seminar

Join us as we gather 16 distinguished scholars from varied fields to discuss artificial intelligence and how this tool is encouraging people to consider more carefully what it means to be human.

How do academics and notables from seemingly disparate areas of expertise grapple with and interrogate multiple readings and understandings of this topic, which permeates all facets of our lives and impacts the future of humanity and designed intelligence? In four salon-like sessions of four participants each, these scholars will come together in conversation (no lecterns, slides, or notes) to share their ideas, discoveries, experiences, hopes, and concerns about AI and its impact on their respective fields and the broader world—as they would around a living room or at a small dinner party. November 10th - November 11th! 

More details: https://www.wesleyan.edu/shasha/seminar2023-2024/schedule.html

---

Mobilizing Power: Building Community for Environmental  Justice Conference

Mobilizing Power: Community Building for Environmental Justice is a gathering for promoting knowledge exchange and building power for collective action on environmental justice. It will be on November 11th from 9:30 am - 4 pm with a reception from 4:30 - 6:30 pm. 

 

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZrOCfptuHFNOZpJf1tQrDWrQH_M2yZwqabMWQw669wEmiGA/viewform

---

Astronomy Colloquia Speaker Series: Marla Geha from Yale University 

Join the Astronomy Department to learn more about Professor Marla Geha’s research on Building Statistical Samples of Low Mass Galaxies in the Local Universe on Wednesday, November 15th, 4:30pm at the VVO Library!

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs) & Summer Research Beyond Wesleyan 

Join ACS Wes & WesWIS to hear from senior STEM students about their National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) and other summer research experiences! Thursday, November 9th at 5:30pm in Woodhead (Exley 184)!

---

---

Come chat with astronomy professor Professor Sarah Wellons over lunch on October 19th at Noon! Lunch will be provided, Usdan 3rd Floor. Limit of three students, email weswis@wesleyan.edu to RSVP. 

---

Summer Research at Wesleyan Poster Fair
Want to learn about summer research at Wesleyan? Join us in the Woodhead Lounge in Exley on October 26th from 5:30-6:45 pm for the Summer Research at Wesleyan Poster Fair! Come meet students who did summer research across the STEM departments, chat with students about labs, and view research posters. Food provided. 

 

Star GAY-zing

Thursday, October 12, 2023, 7:00-9:00pm, Van Vleck Observatory
Star GAY-zing is on Thursday, October 12th from 7-9 pm at VVO Observatory! Join us for stargazing and telescopes, cookies, mini talks, and discussion about LGBTQIA+ spaces in science. All genders, identities, ages, and majors are welcome. Event sponsored by WesWIS, the Wesleyan Astronomy Department, City of Middletown Pride, the Resource Center, and the Office of Equity and Inclusion.

Meet-&-Greet with the Biophysics Keynote Speakers
The Molecular Biophysics Program will be holding its 24th Annual Retreat on October 11th! The next morning, October 12th from 9:45 - 10:45 am, keynote speakers Dr. Sua Myong and Dr. Kylie Walters will be available for a meet-&-greet! Stay tuned for location. 

Please visit our event archive to view past events.

WesCourses
April 7, 12:00pm, ESC 141
We're hosting WesCourses, our every-semester peer-mentoring lunch, where underclassmen can ask upperclassmen about classes, majors, and getting involved with research! It is happening this Friday (04/07) at 12pm in Exley 141, and there will be upperclassmen from every STEM major! Make sure to check out our instagram @weswomeninscience for a detailed list of the majors represented. Free pizza and drinks provided! We look forward to seeing you all there :)

WesWIS presents a Non-Academic Career Panel
March 30, 2023 5:30pm-7:30pm, Woodhead Lounge
This is an opportunity to meet Wesleyan Alumni and hear about their career experiences. Our panelists will be sharing advice and expertise applicable to undergrads and post-grads. We will also be providing dinner, including vegan options, from a restaurant downtown. This event is open to all genders & majors, so bring your friends!

WesWIS Annual Faculty-Student Tea
Friday, February 10, 2023 4:30-5:30pm, Van Vleck Observatory Library. There will be STEM faculty from all NSM departments, and this event will give you an opportunity to chat with professors in a more informal setting. Tea and cookies will be provided. 

WesCourses: Peer Mentor Meeting
Friday, November 6, 2020 Noon
WesCourses is our every-semester peer mentoring meeting during planning period.  Come get the inside scoop on classes from juniors and seniors in all of the different STEM majors (no professors allowed!).  You can get help thinking about next semester, as well as your whole plan for your major, getting involved with research, or anything else you want to talk about. 

Grad School Panel
Friday, October 30, 2020 4:30pm
Ask recent grads about applying to grad school and what it's like to be a grad student.  We'll have a good sampling across the sciences.

Film Screening: Picture a Scientist
Wednesday, October 21, 2020 7:30 pm 
Zoom Discussion @ 9:00pm
Join WesWIS for a screening of the documentary, "Picture a Scientist" on Foss Hill followed by a Zoom panel discussion with Dr. Nancy Hopkins, the scientist who sparked the movement to address gender bias in STEM, the award-winning co-director of the documentary Sharon Shattuck, the producer Manette Pottle who also produced the documentary "Behold the Earth", and Wesleyan Professor Martha Gilmore, co-developer of two spaceship mission concepts for NASA'S Discovery Program. 
Meeting ID#940 5740 5225
Passcode: 578657

Organizational Meeting 
Friday, September 11, 2020, Noon 
Find out how WesWIS works to build a community within the sciences and to help you become the best scientist you can be! Please join us to support the promotion of women in the sciences and to weigh in with your opinions and ideas. WesWIS events are open to people of all majors and genders.

Resume Workshop
Thursday, 2/20/20 at Noon in Usdan 110
Come workshop your resume and have WesWIS help you take a new headshot - - we'll even feed you pizza! Jacob Gonzalez, STEM Career Advisor, and Candice Etson, Assistant Professor of Physics, will be there to help you polish your resume.  We will have a professional backdrop (courtesy of Olivia Drake) and high-quality camera available to take head shots.  Please join us!  Just be sure to RSVP to reserve your spot. 

Late Night Study Break
Sunday, Dec 8, 2019 8-9pm in Woodhead Lounge
Take a break from the stress of studying for finals & drop by for caffeine and snacks! Connect with others who need to refuel and enjoy a pick-me-up!  

WesCourses: Peer Mentor Lunch
Wednesday 11/8/19 at 12:00-1:00 PM in Allbritton 311
WesCourses is our every-semester peer mentoring lunch during planning period.  Come get the inside scoop on classes from juniors and seniors in all of the different STEM majors (no professors allowed!).  You can get help thinking about next semester, as well as your whole plan for your major, getting involved with research, or anything else you want to talk about. Sandwiches will be served.

Stargazing and Hot Chocolate
Thursday, October 10, 2019 10:00-11:00pm at the observatory
Join us for a night of stargazing, hot chocolate, and great company! Assistant Professor Meredith Hughes will be our celestial guide for the night. New friends and spectacular views of the universe: what could be better? 

Organizational Meeting with Lunch 
Thursday, September 12, 2019 Noon-1:00pm Allbritton 311
Learn about and share ideas with Wesleyan Women in Science! Please join us to support the promotion of women in the sciences and to weigh in with your opinions and ideas. Pizza will be served. People of all majors and genders are welcome.

Post-Graduate Panel
Thursday 3/28/13 at 7 PM in Usdan 108
Come learn about the various opportunities in graduate studies from representatives in a wide range of disciplines. Dinner will be served, RSVP required.
Panelists include:

• Yashoda Sharma, Project Coordinator at Yale University School of Medicine
• Megan King, Assistant Professor at Yale University School of Medicine
• Janeen Skutnik-Wilson, Partner of NSF-DBA at NSF International
• Ethel Pippin: Strategic Marketing and Product Leader at MassMutual Financial Group, Founder of Almega Consulting Group 
• NEURON
  Sunday 2/23/2014
  WesWIS will be taking students to the annual conference centered around neuroscience and undergrad research. For those interested in being featured in the poster session, abstracts are due TBA. 

New England Health Professions Fair at Yale University
Friday 9/28/12 12:00-3:00 PM at the Lanman Center, Payne Whitney Gymnasium
WesWIS will be sponsoring transportation for a limited number of students to attend the fair featuring representatives from: Allopathic, Osteopathic Medicine, & M.D./Ph.D. Programs, Dental Medicine, Nursing, Public Health Optometry, Podiatric Medicine, and Physicians Assistant Post-Baccalaureate Studies.

• Raquel Bryant, Earth & Environmental Science Department
• Ni Feng, Biology Department
• Ann Burke, Biology Department
• Joe Coolon, Biology Department
• Candace Etson, Molecular Biophysics Program
• Amy McQueen, Molrecular Biology & Biochemistry Department
• Janice Naegele, Biology Department
• Rich Olson,Molrecular Biology & Biochemistry Department
• Alison O'Neil, Chemistry Department
• Michelle Personick, Chemistry Department
• Charles Sanislow, Psychology Department
• Renee Sher, Physics Department
• Anna Shusterman, Psychology Department
• Sonia Sultan, Biology Department
• Erika Taylor, Chemistry Department

• Sarah Wellons, Astronomy Department
• Gloster Aaron,  Neuroscience & Behavior/Biology 
• Janet Burge, Computer Science Department
• Martha Gilmore, Earth & Environmental Sciences
• Alyson Hildum, Mathematics and Computer Science
• Cameron Hill, Assistant Professor of Mathematics
• Manju Hingorani, MB&B Department
• Matthew Kurtz, Psychology Department
• Kim Kyungmi, Psychology
• Dan Licata, Computer Science
• Psyche Loui, Psychology Department
• Victoria Manfredi, Mathematics & Computer Science
• Edward Moran, Astronomy
• Val Nazzaro, Quantitative Analysis Center
• Suzanne O'Connell, Earth & Environmental Sciences
• Andrea Patalano, Psychology
• Joyce Powzyk, Biology Department
• Seth Redfield, Astronomy Department
• Andrea Roberts, Organic Chemistry Lab Professor
• Saray Shai, Mathematics and Computer Science
• Grace Sutton, Psychology/Neuroscience & Behavior
• Kelly Thayer, College of Integrative Sciences
• Ellen Thomas, College of Integrative Sciences