MURFREESBORO, TN — Women on the front lines of health care and science shared their much-needed expertise in a videoconference as part of
MTSU’s National Women’s History Month celebration.
This event brought MTSU students, graduates and professionals in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, fields together to share stories about their career paths.
“I was delighted that these women gave
back to the community by sharing their stories,” said Judith Iriarte-Gross, a professor of chemistry and director of MTSU’s
Women in STEM Center. “Role models DO matter.”
Panelists included:
Amber Dorsey, committee member for the medical care section and the maternal and child health section of the American Public Health Association. She is pursuing a doctoral degree focusing on the intersectional approach to understanding the experiences of African American women as it relates to health literacy and maternal health outcomes.
Betsy Akpotu, a junior majoring in biotechnology and genetics and veteran of study-abroad research into polymerase chain reaction, a method used to make copies of DNA samples, in Scotland and vermicompost, the use of worms to decompose waste, in India.
Dr. Dani Terrell, physician in her third year of neurosurgical residency at Louisiana State University-Shreveport.
Creea Shannon, family champion for the B.R.I.D.G.E. to Success program at the Center for Health Policy at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dr. Arielle Ross, a practicing pharmacist who is active in the National Pharmaceutical Association, an organization focused on closing health disparities in ethnic minorities.
TaRisha Lake, a consultant senior microbiologist with ALKU, a specialized consultancy firm based in Andover, Massachusetts, where she is responsible for lead revisions of existing assays and identifying opportunities for new assay development.
This event was sponsored by the MTSU National Women’s History Month Committee, the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, the Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, and Housing and Residence Life Living Learning
Communities at MTSU.
“This opportunity (provided) a spotlight to honor the women of color who entered the medical field after they earned their degrees
here at MTSU,” said Scott Hendricks, area coordinator for housing at MTSU. “They are able to share their stories to (people in) the community who are interested in following similar paths.”
