Welcome to 2014 with AWIS DC! This year, we are taking the opportunity afforded by social media to give you a brief “introduction” to all of the AWIS DC officers. We are here to help you, and if you spot us at an AWIS DC gathering, please say hi!
For our next installment in this series, please welcome our Vice President of Finance, Heather Dean!
Heather holds degrees in electrical engineering, computation and neural systems, and neurobiology and is now moving into science policy through a AAAS Science and Technology Policy fellowship at NSF. She has a long history of leadership. As a graduate student, she spent five and a half years working at the Duke Women’s Center, inviting speakers and planning programs for the Graduate and Professional Women’s Network. At the same time, she spent four years as an officer of the Graduate and Professional Student Council, including two years as Treasurer, one as President, and one as Community Affairs Coordinator. She served in many leadership roles at Duke, including both university committees such as Trustee committees and student groups such as Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE). As a Fellow in Washington, she founded the NeuroPolicy Affinity Group and also runs a speaker series for the WISE (Women’s Issues in Science and Engineering) Affinity Group. She currently serves as President of the Caltech Alumni Association Board.
What do you do?
I’m currently a AAAS Science and Technology Policy fellow at the National Science Foundation in the Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences. Right now, I’m working on a workshop on making published science more robust and replicable, though my real interest is in neuroscience policy. As a AAAS S&T Policy Fellow, I’ve been able to put together a mailing list, speaker series, and even a symposium on neuroscience policy.
What is your science “story?”
I was inspired by my dad, an electrical engineer who worked on neural networks, so I went to Caltech to follow in his footsteps. I did major in EE, but my interest in neural systems led me to neuroscience, and I wound up doing research in neurobiology that earned me a Masters degree in Computation and Neural Systems along with my undergraduate degree. I was also encouraged to go to graduate school, so I joined the Neurobiology Department at Duke University for my PhD. My work involved studying the neural circuitry underlying eye movements and led me to a postdoc position at NYU studying the interacting circuits involved in hand-eye coordination. Though I love science, I decided that I did not want to run my own lab, so I applied for a Science and Technology Policy Fellowship. This opportunity brings together my interest in science and my love of working with and helping people.
Why did you decide to get involved with AWIS DC?
I love science, and I’m also passionate about broadening participation in science and engineering. As a graduate student, I spent five and a half years working at the Duke Women’s Center coordinating the Graduate and Professional Women’s Network. I saw how important a support network can be for those in the sciences, especially women and underrepresented groups who are more likely to experience the Imposter Syndrome, or that feeling that you’re not really good enough to be where you are. AWIS DC provides opportunities for women with similar interests to meet, mentor each other, and learn new skills, which probably helps counter that feeling that you don’t belong.
What is one of your favorite things about AWIS DC?
I enjoy the variety of programs. There are career development opportunities, mentoring circles, social events, opportunities to meet recruiters, and more.
What new program or event at AWIS DC do you like the most? Why?
I love the opportunity to chat and meet new people, so my favorite so far has been the annual party. Last year, I met some fantastic women, including Donna Dean, who has become a friend and mentor. She even spoke to the AAAS WISE affinity group at my invitation after that.
I also think the Mentoring Circles are a wonderful opportunity though my schedule has kept me from joining one. It seems like a program that could make a big difference, especially for women starting out in their careers.
In your new position, what do you hope you will help AWIS DC accomplish?
I want to see AWIS DC grow, especially in volunteer leadership. There are so many opportunities for any member to step up and get involved, and I’d love to see more members feel empowered to do that. As VP for Finance, I realize that is not part of the job description, but I intend to help AWIS DC wherever possible while making sure that dues are collected and checks don’t bounce.
Tell us something personal about yourself: when did you fall in love with science?
When I was young, my dad was teaching high school biology and chemistry. He would tell me about the latest findings on how life began and evolved as a bedtime story. Apparently, it’s what I always requested! My parents both encouraged me to learn, and like my dad, I loved math and science. I remember early coloring books that taught fractions, computer programs that had me experimenting with fractals, and even an NCR computer science summer camp. I suppose I’ve always loved science, and my parents nurtured that.
Xiaomin Su has a PhD. In Immunology from the University of Rochester and currently is an assistant professor in Neuroscience at the Georgetown University. She is elected as VP for programs in AWIS DC chapter.