Uncovering Five Extraordinary Women Shining in the Field of Science

Women in Science Shining at the University of Rochester Medical Center

The University of Rochester Medical Center is home to several accomplished women scientists who are making significant strides in their respective fields.

Alayna E. Loiselle, Ph.D., an associate professor of Orthopaedics, Biomedical Engineering, and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, is dedicated to improving tendon healing in the hand. Using cellular and mouse models, she is working to understand the process on a cellular and molecular level.

Angela Branche, M.D., a physician and researcher focusing on infectious diseases, has been at the forefront of answering pressing questions during the COVID pandemic as a co-director of the Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit. Her work has been instrumental in navigating the pandemic.

Juliee Thakar, Ph.D., an associate professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Biostatistics and Computational Biology, and Biomedical Genetics, is building computational tools to decipher large amounts of biological data. Her work aims to predict how the immune system will respond to infections or vaccinations.

B. Paige Lawrence, Ph.D., the Chair and Wright Family Research Professor in the Department of Environmental Medicine, is a role model and mentor for many young scientists. Her success is attributed to cultivating relationships with mentors, pausing and seeking information or counsel before reacting, and maintaining a sense of humor.

Katherine Escalera-Rivera, a graduate student in the PhD Program in Pathology and president of the UR chapter of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), studies the inflammatory processes involved in osteoarthritis. She considers passing her qualifying exam as her greatest achievement yet. Escalera-Rivera is mentored by Jennifer Jonason, Ph.D., and Jennifer Anolik, M.D., Ph.D., in her research on osteoarthritis.

The COVID pandemic has exacerbated disparities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, particularly affecting women and girls. According to the United Nations, female researchers are typically awarded smaller research grants, are less likely to have their work published by high-profile journals, and have shorter careers than their male colleagues.

Despite these challenges, these women scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center continue to make a difference. They urge young women and girls to explore their interest in science, take the time to get experience in different areas that they might want to pursue as a career, and tackle scientific challenges that they are particularly interested in. They also advise finding an environment that will help them grow from these challenges.

Alayna E. Loiselle, Ph.D., is proud of the success of trainees in her lab and advises young women and girls in science to do the same. She encourages them to find an environment that will help them grow from their scientific challenges.

Unfortunately, no relevant information was found regarding female researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center who have established mentoring relationships to support and inspire young women and girls interested in science. However, the advice and achievements of these women scientists serve as inspiration for the next generation of women in science.

Escalera-Rivera urges young women and girls to seize the opportunity to explore their interest in science and to not be deterred by the challenges they may face. She believes that taking the time to gain experience in different areas can help them discover what they are truly passionate about.

These women scientists are shining examples of perseverance and dedication. Their work is making a significant impact in their fields, and they continue to inspire the next generation of women in science. The United Nations declared February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2015, and these women scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center are living proof of the importance of this day.