Join us for the celebration of MASS AWIS’s 20th anniversary!

 Logo by Julia Smithing

Our event will feature distinguished guest speakers, engaging activities, and networking opportunities. At this event, we will continue our efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, which have been recognized with the Shooting Star Chapter Award in 2022 and 2023 by National AWIS!

AGENDA
5:30 pm- 6:30 pm Registration and Refreshment

6:30 pm -7:30 pm Panel discussion- 20 years of women leadership

Our dynamic discussion panel will reflect on 20 Years of Women Leadership in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. We will explore triumphs, challenges, and future perspectives of women in STEM. Hear from pioneering leaders as they look back to their experience and share strategies to advance gender equity and empower the next generation of STEM leaders.

7:30 -8:30 pm Casual Networking and Cake Cutting

PANELISTS

Meredith Gibson

Meredith Gibson is the Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Women in Science (AWIS). A community with over 6,500 members, AWIS provides a sense of belonging, recognition, and career advancement for women in all science disciplines and employment sectors so they can achieve their full potential. AWIS also advocates for gender equity and safe, inclusive spaces for STEM students and professionals. Ms. Gibson has been serving the AWIS mission in various capacities since 2007. As CEO, she oversees all facets of the organization including driving mission impact, advocacy, and member engagement. Under her leadership, AWIS has doubled its membership, fundraising, and corporate partnership programs and established a new Strategic Plan for 2023-2026. Ms. Gibson is a graduate of the University of Washington, with a bachelor’s degree in international studies.

Angeliki Diane Rigos

Dr. Angeliki Diane Rigos is a scientist, educator, and consultant interested in working across disciplines to promote sustainable solutions to global problems.
Dr. Rigos began her career as a Principal Scientist at Physical Sciences Inc. where she worked on defense and energy contracts.  She transitioned to an academic position as Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Merrimack College where she taught courses in chemistry, women in science and sustainable energy and science and energy policy. For twelve years, she also worked as an energy consultant at Levitan & Associates, Inc. with a focus on power price forecasting, LNG, fuel cells, and renewable technologies including onshore / offshore wind and solar photovoltaics.  In 2017, she became the Executive Director of the MIT Tata Center for Technology and Design.  In 2021, she founded the nonprofit Epistimi, Inc to expand the leadership training of women in STEMM globally.

Joanne Kamens

Dr. Joanne Kamens received her PhD in genetics from Harvard Medical School and has had a varied career in academia, pharma, biotech and nonprofit. Over two decades ago, she founded the Boston chapter of the Association for Women in Science (MASS AWIS) after an entire week went by when she had no meetings with any other women. This led her on a journey as a scientist to understand the inequities that caused this disparity.  She currently brings this unique perspective and background to her current work as a scientist and diversity, equity & inclusion consultant.

As Executive Director/CEO of the international biotechnology nonprofit, Addgene, Joanne experimented and implemented practical ways to create an inclusive workplace where every employee was able to thrive and contribute. She realized single digit employee turnover for a decade at Addgene and collaborated with dozens of inclusion organizations to make the company a Best Place to Work in Boston for 6 years running  (#1 Best Place in 2016). Since 2021, Joanne has been sharing her experience and expanding her deep commitment to increasing inclusion in the workplace by consulting with organizations working to develop processes, provide learning opportunities and explore engagement to support organizational success. Joanne also provides Career Coaching and is a leader in creating and supporting group mentoring programs. She has been nominated for the Presidential Medal of Honor in STEM Mentoring.

Tooba Cheema

Dr. Tooba Cheema is a past president of MASS AWIS (2015,2016) and was an active contributor and mentor to the mission of MASS AWIS from 2008-2019. Tooba has worked in multiple biotech industries for the past 12 years working on non-clinical development of biosimilars in oncology and autoimmune space as well as T cell therapy combinations and oncolytic viruses for the treatment of various heme and solid tumor indications. She currently leads the Precision Medicine, PK and Biomarker aspects of clinical stage programs at Regeneron Cell Medicines (formerly 2seventybio). Tooba is an experienced immuno-oncologist, advancing projects from early discovery, lead selection through translational medicine and clinical development. Tooba has a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and B.Sc in Biochemistry from Tufts University. She received her post-doctoral training at Massachusetts General Hospital under the fellowship from the American Brain Tumor Association, evaluating combination therapies for the treatment of Glioblastoma.

Registration Fees:

• AWIS members
  • Early registration (ends May 31): $20*
  • Late registration (from June 1): $40*
• non-AWIS members
  • Early registration (ends May 31): $30
  • Late registration (from June 1): $50

*NOTE: AWIS members can register one guest at member price!

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, 11th June 2024, 9 AM EST

Thank You Sponsors!

Cambridge Isotope Laboratories