Events
Lean In, Women in Science 2025
April 3, 2025, 4pm – 6:15pm
NCSSM-Durham (ETC Lecture Hall) 1219 Broad St., Durham, NC 27705
Free and open to the public. Seating is limited, and pre-registration is required!
Register here for the panel discussion and dinner. (Available on a first come, first served basis.)
About the event:
Lean In, Women in Science is an annual event that features accomplished female scientists talking about their careers, challenges, and successes, then talking with attendees in small groups over dinner.
This is a two-part event designed to connect accomplished women in science with high school girls who are interested in STEM. All ages and genders are welcome, but the main target audience is high school girls.
The event starts with a group interview of prominent women scientists, followed by smaller breakout groups for dinner, where attendees will be able to chat informally with a panel member.
Thanks to the Broyhill Family Foundation for support of the event.
Lean In, Women in Science at NCSSM is an official event of the North Carolina Science Festival.
Part One: Panel Discussion | 4-5 p.m.
Limited seating; pre-registration required. Panelists will take questions from the audience.
Learn more about the 2025 panelists.
Welcome by Dr. Amy Sheck, Dean of Science
Opening Remarks by Dr. Molly McNairy, Medical doctor and researcher on HIV and cardiovascular disease around the world
Panel Discussion with women in science, led by Dr. Kat Cooper, Instructor of Chemistry:
- Dr. Katherine Bay – Chemist and curriculum developer for Schrödinger computational chemistry software company
- Dr. Toni Bucci – Chief Operating Officer and entrepreneur in agricultural biology; founder of Sable Fermentation, Inc.
- Dr. Chantell Evans – Faculty member in the Cell Biology Department at Duke University researching neurodegenerative diseases
- Gina Hardy – CEO and leader in risk management and insurance for North Carolina coastal properties
- Dr. Joan Roque – Faculty member in the Chemistry Department at University of Puerto Rico researching effective methods for teaching chemistry
- Emma Steude ’20 – Graduate student researcher at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
Closing Remarks
Part Two: Conversation with a Scientist | 5:15 p.m.
Limited seating; pre-registration required. All registered attendees will be able to chat informally with one of the featured women scientists, in smaller breakout groups for dinner.
Contact
