Women in Research Organizing Committee
2023
Alie Male, PhD
President
When I arrived at UCI, there were no programs for postdoctoral scholars to receive mentorship or advice from faculty outside of their own office or laboratory. During my time at UCI, several women expressed a desire to connect with, and learn from, other successful women in academia. I founded Women in Research at UCI (UCI WIR) to do just this. UCI WIR supports women at their most crucial and earliest career stages, helping them to succeed and flourish amid the many obstacles women face in academia.
Asha Densi, PhD
Organizer
Academia does not provide a level playing field for women researchers. Women need a safe space to talk, discuss and find ways to implement changes that can make workplace conducive to their needs. This require awareness among younger women professionals and mentorship from women in leadership positions. I joined UCI-WIR to be a part of a team that helps women to achieve their career goals and to learn from those who have the experience of navigating through the challenges of being a woman researcher.
Jenna Adams, PhD
Organizer
The transition between being a postdoctoral fellow and an independent, early career researcher is a critical step in which many women leave academia, known as “the leaky pipeline”. I became involved in UCI WIR to create mentorship communities that will help women postdocs from all backgrounds have the support needed to live up to their potential – whether that is staying in academia, exploring industry, or positions outside of research all together. As a previous WIR participant, being in this program connected me with an amazing group of postdoctoral women and a mentor who could relate to those unique experiences only women in research face. I am excited to pay it forward by now being an organizer of this program and helping the next generation of women scientists!
Belén Torrado, PhD
Organizer
As an organizer member of the WIR, I am proud to be a part of a community that strives to support and empower women. At WIR, we understand the challenges that women face in academia, and we believe that good mentorship can help them overcome these obstacles and achieve their goals. I am committed to contributing to the creation of a safe and inclusive space for women to come together, share their experiences, and support one another.
Laurel Brigham, PhD
Organizer
I joined the UCI WIR committee as an organizer in my final months as a mentee in the WIR program. I have found joy and belonging as a mentee in WIR and I was inspired to give back as an organizer. I’m passionate about fostering spaces for women to feel seen, heard, and understood. The WIR program creates those spaced by building community amongst women at UCI while it sets women up for success in academia and beyond by connecting them with a seasoned mentor.
Maren Pein, PhD
Organizer
Women face countless obstacles in science that compromise equal opportunities for them to thrive in STEM careers, especially at higher career levels. As part of the Women in Research (WIR) organizing committee at UCI, I want to create opportunities for the advancement of women in research and encourage women to lift each other up and support each other. WIR mentoring groups create a protected framework to discuss issues among female scientists here at UCI and foster a mindset of community and belonging. Hopefully, our program will help women stay motivated and inspired to pursue a career in research.
Dervla Meegan-Kumar, PhD
Organizer
Postdoctoral appointments are times of significant career growth, yet, are often when early career researchers are most isolated. The UCI WIR program provides the opportunity for postdoctoral women on campus to engage in a unique combination of professional development, peer and traditional mentorship, and community building. The program fosters welcoming, supportive spaces and stimulates conversations around negotiating, work-life balance, growing your own research group, and more that provide insights to succeeding in academia at this critical junction point in our careers. After having an exceptionally positive experience as a WIR mentee, I was eager to join the organizing committee to “pay it forward” and ensure successive generations of postdoctoral women have access to this invaluable opportunity.
2021-2022
Alie Male, PhD
President and Founder
When I arrived at UCI, there were no programs for postdoctoral scholars to receive mentorship or advice from faculty outside of their own office or laboratory. During my time at UCI, several women expressed a desire to connect with, and learn from, other successful women in academia. I founded Women in Research at UCI (UCI WIR) to do just this. UCI WIR supports women at their most crucial and earliest career stages, helping them to succeed and flourish amid the many obstacles women face in academia.
Aishik Ghosh, PhD
Organizer
I have worked in research groups with varying levels of support for women early in their careers and seen first hand the difference it can make. Having had the fortune to be advised by two ambitious women researchers in the past, I would like to play my part in making sure many women have such opportunities in the future. This is why I decided to join the UCI WIR initiative. I hope this program will foster mentorship and peer support that will help the mentees to navigate the academic landscape and overcome obstacles faced by women.
Maren Pein, PhD
Organizer
Women face countless obstacles in science that compromise equal opportunities for them to thrive in STEM careers, especially at higher career levels. As part of the Women in Research (WIR) organizing committee at UCI, I want to create opportunities for the advancement of women in research and encourage women to lift each other up and support each other. WIR mentoring groups create a protected framework to discuss issues among female scientists here at UCI and foster a mindset of community and belonging. Hopefully, our program will help women stay motivated and inspired to pursue a career in research.
2021
Alie Male, PhD
Founder
When I arrived at UCI, there were no programs for postdoctoral scholars to receive mentorship or advice from faculty outside of their own office or laboratory. During my time at UCI, several women expressed a desire to connect with, and learn from, other successful women in academia. I founded Women in Research at UCI (UCI WIR) to do just this. UCI WIR supports women at their most crucial and earliest career stages, helping them to succeed and flourish amid the many obstacles women face in academia.
Aishik Ghosh, PhD
Organizer
I have worked in research groups with varying levels of support for women early in their careers and seen first hand the difference it can make. Having had the fortune to be advised by two ambitious women researchers in the past, I would like to play my part in making sure many women have such opportunities in the future. This is why I decided to join the UCI WIR initiative. I hope this program will foster mentorship and peer support that will help the mentees to navigate the academic landscape and overcome obstacles faced by women.
