Part of our July 25 Comic-Con event includes a group of women in STEM who will share their research and passion for science via a panel discussion. They are all part of the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s ambassador program.
Chanté Summers is an organic chemist and has worked in pharmaceuticals since 2016. She has worked in oncology and infectious disease, including a short time in analytical testing of compounded pharmaceuticals. Most recently she put out a lab fire that, sure – she started by accident but avoided the embarrassment of a building evacuation and has a fun story to tell. Chanté is known for having her hands in too many things – from ceramics and photography, to rock climbing, and kayaking. She loves falling into a good fiction book and napping with her rescue dog, Bindi.
Not only is she a knitting and outdoors enthusiast, Gracie Ermi is a computer scientist at Impact Observatory, where she builds machine learning technology to better understand how the planet is changing in the face of climate change. Her work is all about quickly synthesizing large amounts of satellite images to empower decision-makers with timely, science-based insights about the ecosystems they are working to protect. Her career has centered around using technology to better protect the planet, and previously she worked on technology to support wildlife research – with projects related to killer whales, elephants, dolphins, and more! Gracie also loves to share her story with the next generation of innovators, and she has spoken to over 150 audiences around the world about how they can use computer science to create change in their communities and in the world.
Dr. Beata Mierzwa studies how human cells divide and shares the beauty of science through art, fashion, and interactive media. Her postdoctoral research aims to advance the world’s understanding of cell division and improve cancer therapy. Beyond her academic career, Beata creates science-themed drawings and clothes. Her hand-drawn illustrations use metaphor to portray scientific concepts in intuitive ways, while her microscopy fashion celebrates the beauty of the molecular world. She also created a science video game, Microscopya, that invites players to explore the beauty inside our cells. Through her AAAS IF/THEN Ambassadorship for science outreach and her work with Young Women in Bio – Southern California, she aims to inspire creative students to pursue careers in STEM. For more information, please visit www.beatascienceart.com or follow @beatascienceart on social media.
Dr. Kimberley R. Miner is a Climate Scientist and Program Manager at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab. Her research on climate risks has taken her to the planet’s extreme environments- from the North Pole to Antarctica and Mt. Everest. Dedicated to science communication, Kimberley’s research teams have reached international audiences with features in the BBC, NYT, GQ, and a 2020 Guinness World Record. Before coming to NASA, Kimberley worked on climate security for the Department of Defense in DC, and holds a research professorship at University of Maine and Virginia Tech. She is also writing a book on how younger generations can plan for climate change–to be released in early 2025. Kimberley is a Black belt, wilderness Firefighter, and lives in a fishing harbor on the Pacific Ocean.
