AWIS - Connecticut invites you to a Networking event!
Meet other women scientists in Connecticut, learn valuable networking skills and have fun!

Venue: Haveli Indian restaurant
1300 South Main St
Middletown, CT
Click here for directions


Date: Wednesday, July 23rd
Time: 6 pm
Cost: $20 (price includes appetizers, entree, soft drinks – cash bar available)
Click the button below to register now!

AWiS Connecticut will be holding its' election for officers to serve on the 2009 board in June. We are soliciting volunteers to run for the following positions: President, President-elect, Treasurer, Secretary, and Councilor. There are three councilor positions, one serving a three year term, one serving a two year term and one serving a one year term. The President-elect serves one term in that position and then becomes President the following year. You must be a member of the Connecticut chapter in good standing (dues current) to run for office. If you are interested in any of these positions or would like more information about the roles and responsibilities for them, please contact Holly Heaslet Soutter at hhsoutter@gmail.com. To join AWiS go to www.awis.org and click on "Join AWiS".

Current candidates for the 2009 board are:

President Holly Heaslet Soutter
President Elect none
Secretary Uzma Alam
Treasurer Jean Schaefer
Councilors Christine Livingston, Laurel Appel

Elizabeth Cowles will continue in her position as councilor for another term.

Mary Fieser Postdoctoral Program for Women and Minorities
Harvard University will award 12 new postdoc fellowships in chemistry this spring that are aimed at increasing the number of women and minority Ph.D.'s who become professors. Fellows will study for a year in Harvard's department of chemistry and chemical biology, and will have the opportunity to apply for a second year of fellowship money. Click here for a copy of the postdoc application) or apply here.
Deadline: July 15, 2008 Announcement is made on August 15, 2008.

AWARD Fellowship Announcement
The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) program offers specially tailored 2-year career development fellowships, available at three levels: post-Bachelors, post- Masters and post-PhD. African women from qualifying countries and conducting research in the following disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply:
Crop sciences (including horticulture), soil sciences, animal and livestock sciences, plant and animal virology, agroforestry, agricultural economics, aquatic resources and fisheries, food sciences and nutrition, natural resource management and ecology, biodiversity conservation, entomology, agricultural extension education, molecular biology (applied to plant/animal breeding), and water and irrigation management.

Click here to download an application.

Athena Factor HBJ 2008.pdf

An article recently published in the Harvard Business Journal titled “The Athena Factor: Reversing the Brain Drain in Science, Technology and Engineering” is an extensive review that delves into multiple aspects that cause women scientists to leave the workforce. It touches on many themes we’re all familiar with – isolation, a lack of role models. But it also brings up some new concepts such as the “lab coat culture”. Please take some time to read the article and pass it along to others in your organization.

Holly Heaslet Soutter, Ph.D.
President, AWiS CT

In March, Professor Ben Barres (2007 AWIS Fellow) arrived at Harvard University as an invited guest to give a personal and intellectual analysis of the obstacles faced by women in academic science and what individuals and institutions could do to increase opportunities in the sciences for women. Professor Barres brought a unique perspective to the discussion: Professor Barres is transgender, and has experienced life as both a female and as a male scientist.

Click here to listen to a webcast of his presentation.