In celebration of National Women’s Health Week and in recognition of the numerous scientific accomplishments achieved at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and beyond, a group of female scientists, Advancing Women in Science and Medicine (AWSM), hosted its second annual awards breakfast on May 17. Scientists, educators, business and community leaders from the region attended the event to celebrate excellence and achievements of women in science.
“Women face unique barriers to success and are less likely to seek recognition for their achievements,” said Christine Metz, PhD, investigator at the Feinstein Institute and president of AWSM. “AWSM promotes the cultivation of an environment where women who have a passion and talent for science excel, instead of being held back by stereotypes, and they are recognized for their excellence.”
At the second annual awards breakfast, awards in scientific excellence, innovation, mentorship, education, and training, ranging in value from $1,500-$20,000, were presented to following female faculty at the Feinstein Institute: Cynthia Aranow, MD, Ona Bloom, PhD, Nadeen Chahine, PhD, Amanda Chan, PhD, Anne Davidson, MBBS, Betty Diamond, MD, Concepcion Goldberg, MD, PhD, Sun Jung Kim, PhD, Annette Lee, PhD, Christine Metz, PhD, Patricia Mongini, PhD, Barbara Sherry, PhD, Yong-Rui Zou, PhD.
“Advancing Women in Science and Medicine has achieved success in gaining recognition for women in science and showcasing their impressive achievements,” noted Kevin J. Tracey at the event. “The AWSM initiative is important to the Feinstein Institute, and we want to ensure that women in science feel supported and celebrated today and in the future.”
The first AWSM Girl Scout Award was also presented during the event. The winner of this award, a member of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County, will receive research training as a summer intern at the Feinstein Institute and receive a $2,000 scholarship funded by AWSM to support educational opportunities. Over the past several years, the Girl Scouts have put effort behind trying to encourage their members to develop an interest in science, technology, engineering and math. To support these efforts, AWSM invited 10th and 11th grade Girl Scouts from Nassau County to the Feinstein Institute to learn about careers in biomedical research, and created the AWSM Girl Scout Award.
Laurie Glimcher, MD, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss dean and professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and provost for Medical Affairs at Cornell University, also spoke at the event and was awarded the 2013 AWSM Award for Excellence. She was conferred this award due to her outstanding achievements in science and medicine, her strong leadership skills, and her commitment to advancing women’s careers.
Advancing Women in Science and Medicine was created in an effort to advance the career opportunities and career satisfaction of female scientists at the Feinstein Institute. AWSM is comprised of over 30 female faculty members who lead programs in basic, translational and clinical research. The group elected Christine Metz, PhD, as president, and Nadeen Chahine, PhD, as vice president. The four core initiatives of AWSM are in the areas of career development, recognition, advocacy and education, and networking, and mentoring.
Headquartered in Manhasset, NY, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research is home to international scientific leaders in Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, psychiatric disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, sepsis, inflammatory bowel disease, human genetics, pulmonary hypertension, leukemia, neuroimmunology, and medicinal chemistry. The Feinstein Institute, part of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, ranks in the top 5th percentile of all National Institutes of Health grants awarded to research centers.
