How did your interest in STEM subjects begin? Can you share a pivotal moment or experience that sparked this interest?

There are a few pivotal moments that indicated that I might like STEM, but they are everyday curiosities and interests that many of us have had.

• At 4yrs old, I wanted farm animals and trucks more than dolls. The assortment made for great tea parties after a long day on the farm.

• At 7yrs old, after getting bored from baking two desserts in my Easy Bake Oven, I took it apart with a butterknife to see how it worked. I never could get it back together perfectly but was amazed that one light bulb cooked those desserts.

• At 10yrs old, my mother left a fish head on the counter while cooking, I dissected it. An hour went by, I didn’t know what I was looking at, but it was really interesting, and it was a great prelude to high school biology frog dissection.

• 12yrs old and the only black student in my math class, my stern (and a little scary) white male math teacher called me after class and told me he wanted me to move up to advanced math. Shocked, humbled, and empowered all at the same time…finished HS in calculus.     

• At 14yrs old, my first 12 speed bicycle came unassembled in a box. Excited and impatient, I assembled it myself with a butter knife (my screwdriver), a hammer, and tweezers (a wrench). It worked perfectly, just needed some tightening.

• My electives from grades 6-12 included: sewing, woodshop, metal shop, and electrical-technology.

• At 17yrs old, I applied to the School of Engineering at Rutgers University. I got in…

What challenges have you encountered in pursuing a career or education in STEM, and how did you overcome them?

Being one of few women and black students in my classes was always a challenge to my sense of belonging and belief in myself.

Finding friends and support network (including teachers really helped get through those times. However, I feel strongly that one’s own sense of perseverance and determination to do be your best is what helps the most.

From your knowledge or personal experience, what initiatives or efforts have you or your school undertaken in support of Women in STEM?

Rutgers University, where I went to school and work currently, has several affinity groups for women in STEM including the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Women in Computer Science (WiCS), and Women in Neuroscience (WiNS). The unit that I run, Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) focuses on the advancement of women in all different STEM majors. I am fortunate to work at a supportive and inclusive institution.

What significant changes or advancements have you observed occurring in the STEM landscape?

The reason my unit exists is because once upon a time, early 1900s, women were not allowed to attend Rutgers University. When women were allowed to attend, they could major in things like education and home economics. Fast forward to today and my unit supports ~1000 women in STEM at Rutgers University, though there is still a wide gender gap in fields like engineering and computer science. More work to do…

How important do you believe it is for girls and women to have a supportive community or network in STEM, and how has it influenced your journey?

It is extremely important to find your friends, your network, and your place in the STEM community. Having friends in STEM, study groups, advocates (like teachers, professors, mentors), and finding my place in STEM was so helpful and is at the core of the mission of the women in STEM unit that I lead today.

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to build a career or excel in STEM fields based on your experiences?

Find the things you like, for which you have the aptitude, and immerse yourself in it. Find friends with a similar interest, find an organization, participate in STEM clubs, go to STEM fairs, do great in STEM courses, talk to your teachers, create something, lead something.