Events
Lean In, Women in Science 2026
April 16, 2026, 4pm – 6:30pm
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!
Registration is now closed. (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 2026 panelists.
Welcome by Erik MacIntosh ’07, Manager, NC Science Festival
Introduction by Dr. Amy Sheck, Dean of Science
Opening Remarks by Dr. Dianne Keen-Kim ’91, Senior Vice President of Natera; producing advanced genetic tests for cancer detection
Panel Discussion with women in science, led by Dr. Kat Cooper, Instructor of Chemistry:
- Ms. Cammie Gee – Chief Medical Physicist at NorthMain Radiation Oncology
- Dr. Amanda Henderson – Neuro-Opthamologist at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- Dr. Maia Popova – Chemistry faculty member at UNC Greensboro studying chemistry and chemistry education
- Ms. Mekka Williams – Director of Innovation and Solutions at NetApp; co-host of The STEMINISTS podcast
- Dr. Ruth Winecker – Director of Forensic Sciences at RTI International
- Dr. Lindsay Zanno – Head of Paleontology at NC Museum of Natural Sciences; National Geographic Explorer
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.
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