WEST Wisdom Blog

Senior Leader Interview - Anne Thessen

Posted by Emma Sullaway on Mar 15, 2022 9:30:00 AM

Dr. Anne Thessen is a researcher at the Center for Health Artificial Intelligence of University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center. Anne is well known for her work on data infrastructure and the application of semantic technologies and machine learning in biodiversity and earth science. She has been an avid volunteer at WEST events for over 10 years and was the recipient of the WEST Giving Back Award in 2017. I recently had the privilege to speak with Anne about her journey, her involvement with the WEST community, and the advice she has for people considering a career transition. - Emma Sullaway 

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Topics: STEM, Women, Interview, Resilience, Leader, Women in STEM, Inspiration, Values, Career Development, #WESTorg, Women's History Month, Academia

Healing and Hope: Where do we go from here?

Posted by Joanna Buscema on Mar 8, 2022 3:42:09 PM

This year’s National Women’s Month theme is “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope." According to the National Women’s History Alliance, as written on History.com, this theme is "both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history."

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Topics: STEM, Resilience, Women in STEM, Upcoming Events, Support, #WESTorg, Broadway, Healing and Hope, International Women's Day, Women's History Month, Healthcare

Experience the Art and Science of Broadway Series

Posted by Dawn Diperi on Mar 2, 2022 11:46:07 AM

March 1st marks the beginning of Women's History Month and what better way to celebrate the month than to attend a WEST Broadway event. Don’t be left off stage.

It is not too late to join the first event on March 10th with award-winning Arena Theater artistic director: Molly Smith, and actors Nikki Renée Daniels who recently played Angelica Schuyler on Broadway’s Hamilton and Pearl Sun of Broadway’s Come From Away, If/Then. This will be an exciting interactive event that you don’t want to miss. Tickets won’t last long. 

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Topics: Science, Upcoming Events, #WESTorg, STEAM, The Arts, Broadway

Career Possibilities: Clinical, Regulatory, Patient Outcomes, Analytical Development

Posted by Nina Arnone on Feb 14, 2022 2:23:00 PM

On Wednesday, February 16, WEST will be continuing our Career Possibilities Panel and Speed Networking series. In this event, we will focus on clinical, regulatory, patient outcomes, and analytical outcomes of research and discovery. Just as we had done with our last event, we asked thought-provoking questions from our panelists as a confident prequel to the immersive discussion that will be had at the event. 

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Topics: Transitions, Career, Career Possibilities, #WESTevent, #WESTorg

The Art and Science of Broadway

Posted by Dawn Diperi on Feb 9, 2022 10:21:50 AM

On March 7th,  March 10th, and April 7th, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. ET, WEST is hosting a three-part series to celebrate Women’s History Month, Broadway, and women in science. The exciting series will include three unique interactive, entertaining experiences focusing on the Art of Women in Science and on Broadway.

The mastermind behind this series is NYC-based director, choreographer, actor, musical theater coach, adjunct professor, and owner of Broadway Kids Auditions - Kurt Domoney. In the series, participants will watch Broadway stars perform, hear compelling keynote speakers, and see the portrayal of women in STEM and the arts. The best part Kurt says is how women in science and STEM will see many parallels and similarities between the hard sciences and the performing arts and he is excited to uncover the dialogue and cross-collaboration that will ensue. In an interview with Kurt, he explained to me how the way a science lab is run and the process scientists go through is similar to the production, tech, and process the theater undergoes to prepare and complete a production. He went on to talk about how the arts can inspire innovation and creativity in science and how participants will not only be entertained but will be fully immersed and engaged in the experience of the events.

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Topics: Science, Upcoming Events, #WESTorg, STEAM, The Arts, Broadway

Striving for Third Place: Growth through incremental change

Posted by Susanna Huh on Feb 1, 2022 2:47:25 PM

“Third or nothing! Third or nothing!” This is the motto of students in the Puffs, a parody play of the Harry Potter series, told from the perspective of some spectacularly untalented student wizards. The Puffs are one of four houses (the other three are the Brave, Smart, and Snake houses) vying for points in the annual house competition at a certain Magical Academy. Every year, the Puffs place last in the house cup competition, but this year, they are determined to place “Third or nothing!”

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Topics: Work Life Balance, Annual Theme, Upcoming Events, Change, Learn, Self-Reflection, #WESTorg, Grow, goals, Strategies

Be a Better Ally

Posted by Dawn Diperi on Jan 13, 2022 2:56:13 PM

I had the opportunity to sit down with certified coach, Kim Meninger in an incredible conversation about women in the workplace, allyship, diversity, equity, inclusion, and the upcoming WEST event that Kim is leading next month. In only a few short minutes it was clear that Kim had plenty of experience in the field with allyship.

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Topics: Upcoming Events, Learn, Bias, Inclusion, Diversity, #WESTevent, #WESTorg, Equity, Female Representation STEM, Ally, Allyship, Strategies

Career Possibilities: Research & Discovery

Posted by Nina Arnone on Jan 10, 2022 8:01:52 PM

On January 19th, at 6:15 PM EST, WEST will be kicking off our Career Possibilities Panel & Speed Networking series with an event on R&D Discovery. The panelists are Daniela Cipolletta, Director of Immunology at Seismic Therapeutic; Dennis Dean, Principal Investigator at Seven Bridges; Kate Henry, Scientist II in the Gene Therapy Accelerator Unit at Biogen; Kristin Horton, Sr. Director Translational at Rubius Therapeutics; Colles Price, Research Scientist at Vizgen; and Lilly Vollmann, Associate Principal Scientist at Merck. The discussion will be moderated by Kristine McKinney, Sr. Director at Moderna Genomics and WEST Advisory Board Member. This panel is designed to help you think about your career path and the different options that are open to you.

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Topics: Transitions, Career, Panel, Upcoming Events, Lessons Learned, Career Path, Career Possibilities, #WESTevent, #WESTorg, Research & Development

Career pivots: a normal part of work-life Jenga

Posted by Susanna Huh on Dec 9, 2021 9:15:00 AM

When I first considered a career transition from academic medicine to the pharmaceutical industry, it was hard to imagine changing jobs. The hospital I worked at employed many healthcare workers for decades or even their entire careers. I felt disoriented, like the world might fall down: kind of like a Jenga block tower tumbling after pulling out a critical piece.

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Topics: Women, Career, Community, Work Life Balance, Success, Women in STEM, Professional, Resources, Tools, Inspiration, Career Path, Self-Awareness, Insight, Values, Support, Storytelling, Impact, Career Development, Empowerment, Learn, Advocate, Self-Reflection, #WESTorg, Grow, goals, STEM Women

Are you the science type? A conversation with women in science

Posted by Jennifer Assily on Dec 6, 2021 4:17:06 PM

On December 9, 2021 at 6:15 p.m., WEST is hosting a free panel discussion to help answer questions like, "what does it mean to be 'the science type'?" and, "how can you recognize your strengths and interests?" Whether you're in high school and beginning to think about your college and career options or an adult pursuing your career as a scientist, this discussion of learning, recognizing your talents, handling adversity, and helping others pursue their own talents will have something for you. You can sign up to join the discussion on WEST's website.

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Topics: Gender Balance, STEM, Gender Balance, Women, Science, Career, Community, Mentoring, Success, Inspire, Women in STEM, Upcoming Events, Innovation, Professional, Discussion, Resources, Interactive, Change, Making a Difference, Tools, Inspiration, Career Path, Leading Ourselves, Self-Awareness, Empathy, Focus, Insight, Personal Branding, Strengths, Values, Support, Storytelling, Impact, Career Development, Own It, Empowerment, Mentor, Learn, Outreach, Advocate, Stereotypes, Inclusion, Self-Reflection, Diversity, #WESTevent, Voice, #WESTorg, D&I, Gender Parity, Webinar, Personality, Grow, goals, Equity, STEM Women, Female Representation STEM

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