Science Cheerleader » Dr. John Reports

Meet Kiki: Dancing through stereotypes to a PhD

John Ohab — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:31:57 +0000

Last week, I introduced you to my friend and colleague, Kiki, a marine conservation scientist at the University of Washington and a lifelong dancer. Kiki has managed to pursue a successful career in science — she’ll be an assistant professor at the University of Washington later this year — while mastering approximately 6.022 x 10^23 styles of dance.

How did she do it ? I had the opportunity to ask Kiki a few questions, and I’ve shared her responses below. Kiki, thanks for the taking the time to tell us about your experiences on Science Cheeerleader. Off we go!

Kiki, as we saw in the last week’s video, you’re quite the dancer. What kind of dance training do you have?

Kiki: I began my dance career as an undergraduate in 1993 at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. There as a dance minor, I regularly performed in modern, jazz, and african dance pieces as well as choreographing my own work. Throughout graduate school, I taught and performed with the Dance Arts Studio in Morehead City from 1999-2006. After finishing my PhD, I moved to California in the Bay Area, where I danced for Bonner Odell and was also recruited and joined a local professional dance company.

So what originally got you interested in science?

Kiki: In 4th grade, my teacher told us about the school science fair, which was voluntary. I was immediately fascinated by the idea of using experiments to answer questions about how the world works. My first project was a pitiful cardboard box display with a limp lemon and an unfurled paper clip that was supposed to create electricity. Despite that initial sad showing, every year after that I participated in the science fair and by middle school, I was researching background information at the Johns Hopkins University Library and winning awards.

You’ve managed to follow one dream associated with beauty and physique (dancing) and still pursue a science career usually associated with, well, geeks. Any advice for youngsters who might torn between the two?

Kiki: People do their best work when they are passionate about what they do, so follow your passion. But also keep in mind that it is becoming the norm to have more than one career in one’s life time. For example, the Olympic skater Debbie Gibson won an Olympic silver medal and then left the ice to obtain a medical degree.

Another thing to keep in mind is the freeing power of the “mash-up.” Look for opportunities where you can do science and engage in your physical pursuit. If you don’t see that opportunity, then be an entrepreneur and create it.

There was an excellent story in Science Magazine about a marathon runner who did just this. In order to get permission to be absent from an exam in order to run the Boston Marathon, a student asked his professor if he could do a presentation on the physiology of endurance running. That presentation grew into a research project and eventually an article in PLOS Computational Biology that was summarized by Science.

Did you find that stereotypes about dancers helped or hindered your professional experiences? Do you think people took you seriously?

Kiki: Unfortunately, I had a number of hindering experiences. The first time I realized that other scientists judged me negatively for dancing was when I was applying to graduate school. I asked my biochemistry teacher for a reference, and she wrote a glowing one with the exception of the introduction, which began “When I learned that Kiki was a dancer, I didn’t think that she would do well in my biochemistry class…” This sentiment that a dancer could not be a good scientist arose repeatedly throughout my career, especially from fellow graduate students and even an interviewer for a fellowship (which I successfully obtained).

But despite these stereotypes, I also had amazing champions like my PhD co-advisor, Larry Crowder. When the other Duke graduate students were rushing off to prove themselves with their first summer field season, I called Larry and said, “Duke is the home of the American Dance Festival. I HAVE to participate. Is it okay if I don’t do a field season this summer.” Being a former drummer, Larry sees the link between creative art and scientific innovation and firmly believes that feeding ones creativity makes one a better scientist. Notably, my audition piece for the Festival was entitled “Experiments in Texture”, which systemically explored and presented a thesis on movement over three dimensional surfaces.

What about your fellow dancers? How did they respond to your interest in science?

Kiki: In general, dancers were more supportive of my science career. Some thought I over-intellectualized my choreography (which might be true). Others saw my passion for dance and asked if I would be happier making it my primary career pursuit. But they were all accepting of my choices, especially once I explained that my science is how I see myself contributing to a better world, while my dancing is a means to express my physical presence and connection to my local community.

Describe the typical reaction you get when people learn about your dancing days?

Kiki: People are typically very interested and impressed. They always ask what forms of dance I take part in, to which I respond, “I’ve never met a dance I didn’t like, although some didn’t quite like me” and then give them the laundry list of dance forms I’ve trained. These include ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, african, tap, east coast swing, lindy, waltz, contra, contract improv, salsa, bachata, and capoeira.

With hindsight and a flux capacitor, is there any advice you would give to your former 10-year-old self?

Kiki: Yes, open your mouth and tell you parents you want to start taking dance lessons. I would be a lot more flexible now and probably a better turner if I had started dancing earlier.

What was your secret to balancing your high school and college education with dancing?

Kiki: Planning, plotting, and calculated over-scheduling. I made sure that as many of my dance classes as possible counted towards electives for my degree. I even petitioned to do a special project so that my dance history course could count towards my honors college requirements. I made dancing count for a much as possible, taking an overload of credits every semester so I could fit in multiple dance classes, which were a nice bluster to my GPA. I also took academic classes during the winter break, so I had more time for dancing during the semester. I decided that dancing was my spare-time and spare-time was my dancing. My fellow dancers became my friends and social time was stretching between dance classes.

The more difficult balance at times were the seductive unexpected opportunities that often appeared at transitions in my life. For instance, when in graduate school–for just the experience of it–I auditioned for a dance company and nailed the audition. Suddenly, a professional dance career was a real possibility, but the company was based out of state and would mean leaving the graduate program at Duke.

In moments like those I have to look dreams in the face and ask myself: How fulfilling will it be to pursue this? Is there a way to have equal or near equal fulfillment while maintaining my science career? Needless to say, I told the company director that I was serious about graduate school and would not consider leaving. I look back and know without a doubt that was the right choice, and I also have a sense of pride knowing that dream could have been mine if I wanted it.

What is a marine conservation scientist’s typical day at work?

Kiki: That is the great thing about my career, there is no typical day. Every day is very different, but some of the things I do regularly include waking up and reading a scientific article while still in bed (it’s my equivalent of a morning cup of coffee). Next, I answer email and read the latest science and environmental news, often still from bed. Then, I get out into the world.

I may have meetings or conference calls with colleagues. I try to spend a few hours each day moving my current research project forward. Right now, that involves piloting a new sampling method I have devised and teaching myself to use a couple of new analytic software programs. I end the afternoon by spending two hours writing up some of my previous research for publication in a journal.

Science technology, engineering, and math are awesome. How can we encourage more people to get involved?

Kiki: I recommend that people who are interested in science as a career get some hands on experience through an internship or volunteering. Whenever, possible I help facilitate them finding such a position. I also give career advice to anyone that asks. To encourage a general interest in science, I happily serve as my friends’ and family’s personal science-decoder ring. When they hear something interesting or confusing about science on TV or read something in the paper, they’ll call me to explain and discuss it with them.

I also occasionally just butt into other people’s conversation, if they are talking about a subject I know about. It’s amazing how many people find it interesting to talk to a scientist about what they do.

How big of role can citizens without formal scientific training playin real scientific research?

Kiki: In marine conservation, there are a number of citizen science projects that have been on-going for decades. People volunteer to walk beaches and record data on dead and dying sea turtles and marine mammals that wash ashore. In other research, volunteers survey populations of sea birds. The data generated by these efforts has been fundamental to monitoring the progress of efforts to conserve protected species. At the International Sea Turtle Symposium, citizen scientists regularly give scientific presentations on their efforts and these presentations are as well received as those from degreed-scientists.

How can we start to demystify science and the scientist?

Kiki: By being open and talkative about what we do in language that people can understand. By bringing our friends and family into our labs and field sites to see what we do. By taking a few minutes to respond to that email that has been circulating around the department with a question from a secondary school teacher or student.

Other than basic research, what are some interesting ways that people can apply science in their professional life?

Kiki: Science olympiad is an excellent example for students. I’ve also seen a number of performing art pieces from plays to dances about science. And of course, there are the applications of basic research; for example, helping to inform new regulations or non-profit initiatives.

So far, so good. What are your plans for the future?

Kiki: In September 2011, I will begin a position as an Assistant Professor at the University of Washington, School of Marine Affairs. I plan to continue my research in marine conservation, specifically exploring how technology can be used to protect imperiled species (e.g., turtles) from human activities (e.g., fishing), while allowing those activities to still occur.

Time for the rapid fire round. Favorite athlete and why?

Kiki: My favorite athlete is the Olympian, specifically the nameless Olympian in the sport you never see on TV except during the Olympics. People who know me well, know that I’m obsessed with the Olympics. For those two weeks every two years, work comes to a halt, and I get very little sleep. I’m mesmerized by the stories of these unknown yet high achieving athletes, the ones without big endorsement deals and the support of a team. I’m fascinated by the woman who puts her life on hold to train for just the chance of being an Olympian and by the man who trains long lonely hours in the most basic of facilities. They inspire me, but oddly they inspire the scientist in me more than the dancer.

The life of a scientist can be much like that dedicated athlete training in cold early morning hours day after day. The daily reality is not glamorous. Scientists work years for the opportunity to do something great, but the passion keeps them in diligent pursuit. At the end it is enough to have walked in the opening ceremony representing their country, regardless of whether they win a medal.

For me, at the end, it will have been enough to have worked in the field of conservation, doing science that moves us closer to a sustainable world, regardless of whether I first author a paper in Science , have an experiment lauded as “elegant”, or am elected to the National Academy of Science (my personal science equivalents of olympic medals).

Craziest dancing experience?

Kiki: For my birthday one year, my friends and I attended a performance art show. After a particular dance company performed, one friend leaned over and told me I should try that style of dance because I would be great at it. With that statement she rang the bell of one of my secret performance desires. Later, that evening, completely unprompted, the director of that particular dance company walked up to me, asked if I danced and whether I would consider auditioning for her company. Talk about serendipity!

As part of the audition I had to choreograph a brief piece. After agonizing about it for days, I was looking at one of my birthday presents, a “geek” patch. Suddenly, it was perfectly clear. The piece was supposed to display who I was as a dancer, so I selected the song “Weird Science”, made the geek patch part of my costume, and choreographed a quirky science dance. The best part is that I got into the company!

More exhilarating: positive experimental results or nailing a dance move?

Kiki: My most exhilarating dance experience occurred while dancing at the American Dance Festival. I took a class that went into the community (summer camps, the county jail, a drug rehab center) and taught people how to express themselves through dance.

One day, we were at the Veterans Hospital in Durham. Many of the patients were amputees and stroke victims, so their movement was extremely limited. Thus, some patients would not actively participate. So we would make up movements for them. This particular day I led an exercise on hopes and dreams that began by focusing on people’s hobbies.

When we came to a gentlemen who had never participated before, we waited briefly and were about to create a movement for him when realized that he was slowly moving. With great effort, the man raised his hands and made a rough circle and whispered a word… “stars.” The man’s hobby was astronomy. We had found one thing that meant so much to him that it was worth the pain of movement!

That silent moment, pregnant with awe, made tears well in my eyes and the memory still gives me shivers. Later, his physical therapist said that was the most movement she had ever seen him do. I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of something as a dancer more meaningful than that moment.

World Record Holder Beats Himself in Super Mario Kart

Darlene — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:50:26 +0000

Over the past few years, we’ve met superstar scientists and engineers, champion track stars, Pro Bowl Cheerleaders, celebrieties and more. Apparently our very own Dr. John is a different kind of champion — a world record holder at Super Mario Kart!

In January, John was invited to the gaming and music conference known as MagFest, so attendees could challenge him to a video game duel. As an added bonus, the conference staff agreed to give a free t-shirt to anyone who could beat him. In over four hours, he went an amazing 75-2!

None of that is depicted in the above video. However, you will get to see John (wearing his good luck Science Cheerleader t-shirt!) attempt and fail to beat his current Twin Galaxies world record on Mario Circuit 1.

After the event, John said, “It was a strange experience. Upon losing/winning, I felt the same smorgasbord of emotions that Bobby Fischer must have experienced after playing himself in chess. Yes, I am comparing the two.”

Three Fellowships for Women in Science and Technology

John Ohab — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 16:56:26 +0000

Dr. John here… If you’ve been reading my Science Cheerleader contributions during the past year, you know that I absolutely love science. What you may not know is that I love many other things, including but not limited to: free money. Hence, I’m pleased to share a few interesting funding opportunities for women in science and technology.

1. The L’Oréal USA Fellowships for Women in Science program is a national awards program that annually recognizes and rewards five U.S.-based women researchers at the beginning of their scientific careers. Recipients receive up to $60,000 each that they must put towards their postdoctoral research. The fellowship program aims to raise awareness of the contribution of women to the sciences and identify exceptional female researchers in the U.S. to serve as role models for younger generations.

This hyperlink will take you to the application. Please note that the deadline is December 13, 2010, so interested applicants will have to move fast.

2. Dr. Anita Borg devoted her life to revolutionizing the way we think about technology and dismantling the barriers that keep women and minorities from entering the computing and technology fields. In honor of Anita’s vision, Google established the Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship, awarding scholarships to women who share her passion for technology.

Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship recipients will each receive a $10,000 award for the 2011-2012 academic year. A group of female undergraduate and graduate students will be chosen from the applicant pool, and scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of each candidate’s academic background and demonstrated leadership. All scholarship recipients and finalists will be invited to attend the Annual Google Scholars’ Retreat in Mountain View, California in 2011. The scholarship is also offered in Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, New Zealand, the United States.

3. The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship for First Years is open to current female high school seniors who are intending to enroll as full-time students at a university in the U.S. for the 2011-2012 academic year. Applicants should have a record of strong academic performance and plan to pursue a degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related technical program. The winning scholars will be invited to attend the Google FUSE networking retreat in 2012.

Good luck!

Meet Adriana: the Ultra Sexy, Dancing Civil Engineer

John Ohab — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:48:34 +0000

This is a guest post by Connie Ho, a civil and environmental engineer by training, now working as a product manager at NthSocial, a startup web company building products to organize social networks and online content.

The dual life of a young woman means you can have both the career and the artistic side of dance. Adriana Griffith, the feature of this week, is an ultra sexy Civil Engineer. Adriana has been working in land development, transportation, and hydrology projects for about seven years now and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, specializing in Structures, from UC Irvine. She maintains a Professional Engineering (PE) License in California, LEED AP certification in California, and balances her career now with her love of dancing by teaching Zumba. She’s had a passion for dance her whole life, classically trained in ballet, and created a career in a female scarce industry.

Connie: Tell me a little bit about your dancing background?

Adriana: I started when I was 11 at St. Joseph Ballet (now The Wooden Floor) in Anaheim, California. It’s a non-profit dance organization for inner city kids and based on 90% scholarships to the students that got in. It started out being a few days a week and eventually became six days a week of hard training. We had to audition to initially get in and had performances throughout the years.

Connie: What types of dance did you perform?

Adriana: Mainly ballet, but also modern, jazz, hip-hop, African, just about everything.

Connie: While you were in college how did you fit dancing in with Engineering?

Adriana: I essentially had to choose between the two. I started the first few years still taking dance classes with people in dance majors and it was affecting my studies in Engineering, like Physics and Chemistry classes. My grades were actually slipping, so I had to decide. It was hard, but I had to choose and I ended up choosing Engineering. Luckily, now I have more time to go back to dancing and have it in part of my life. I’ve actually started teaching Zumba classes at three different locations throughout Orange County. I get to choreograph and mix Latin dances with Jazz and still be physically fit professionally.

Connie: Choosing must have been tough, but now how has dancing and your physique effected your engineering professional career?

Adriana: It’s been great. It’s helped in leading in front of audiences. We use to perform in front of huge crowds and now I can stand in front of people and speak or be in a meeting and not be afraid to speak up. I definitely use completely opposite sides of the brain, but I think that’s why it works.

Connie: So what are some of the reactions that your friends in dance and your professional colleagues have when they find out you are a dancing Engineer?

Adriana: They always thought it was something cool and in interviews and meetings when I mention it, it’s something different than other people. It’s actually been a real benefit.

Connie: Tell me more about the projects you have worked on?

Adriana: Well, I currently work at IBI Group and I have done everything in Civil Engineering that is from the ground down, from building structures, land development planning and design, transportation roadways, grading land, hydrology, to public improvements. Some of the big projects I worked on were the developments going around the District in Tustin, CA, and The Great Park– it’s like the West Coast’s Central Park. I do about 75% design and 25% client relations. My clients range from city and county agencies to land developers to private hospitals.

Connie: That’s really cool stuff. What’s the status of women in the field of Civil Engineering today?

Adriana: In those meetings, in the private sector, it’s maybe 1 woman to 15 men. It’s still a boys club at many companies. It’s a lot better in the public and municipal groups, I think they’re more aware of gender diversity.

Connie: Amazing that those are the numbers today. Where do you hope to see women or young girls thinking about science and engineering in the future?

Adriana: I’m a complete advocate for women in engineering. I’m part of SWE (Society of Women Engineers) which really promotes women in engineering. The best advice I would give to girls is not to feel like they need to settle for the “easy” careers. Challenge yourself, and it can be fun. All you really need is to have common sense, reasoning skills and know that it’s really not that scary, and go beyond what you would normally do.

One of the glamorous things people might now know about what I do is that I always get the scoop on what new areas are being developed and places to purchase. There’s also cool big projects for big hotel names, even clients like Disney and perks of travel opportunity.

Connie: Great advice. Now that you have a little baby girl, Millie, do you think you’ll be pushing her towards dance and into the sciences and engineering?

Adriana: Haha. I’ll definitely introduce her to both and let her decide.

Special thanks to Connie and Adriana for a really interesting look the life of a dancing civil engineer!

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Love Science!

John Ohab — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:54:53 +0000

The South by Southwest (SxSW) Interactive conference in Austin, TX, showcases the brightest minds in the world of emerging and web technology (Darlene was a speaker there last year and, this year, helped Discover Magazine and the National Science Foundation present The Future of Gaming…she’ll tell you all about that), but I am always pleasantly surprised to find a few hidden science gems. This year, I attended sessions exploring open science, the intersection between science and cooking, and the future of gaming research, and I had the opportunity to meet some of the amazing organizations that make up Women Techies Unite.

However, nothing surprised me more than running into Tia and Jordan, the two science-loving Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in video above. They were kind enough to give this Science Cheerleader shout-out, which more than makes up for the inevitable backlash I will recieve from fellow Arizona Cardinals fans.

Several items worth noting:

1. I did not know the Cowboys Cheerleaders would be at SxSW.
2. Those are my lab goggles, and I did bring them to the conference.
3. That is not my cowboy hat.
4. I too am impressed by how natural and comfortable I look wearing a cowboy hat.
5. This video does not indicate in any way that I am less opposed to any modicum of success potentially achieved by the Dallas Cowboys football team.
6. The Arizona Cardinals will still win the Super Bowl in 2011. I guarantee it.
7. I am also guaranteeing that guarantee.

Gooooooooooooo SCIENCE!

Science Cheerleader: The Album?

John Ohab — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:04:31 +0000

The other night, I was watching one of my favorite local bands, Deville, perform at a cozy DC music venue when I noticed something familiar about guitarist, Ian Graham. That’s right — the famed Science Cheerleader t-shirt! Those things are like gold around here.

Well, I “just so happened to have my HD video camera”, so expect to get the full story on how this up-and-coming band is embracing the spirit of citizen science.

Submit Your Ideas to Improve Government by March 19!

John Ohab — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:45:37 +0000

: IdeaScale logo

Got any bright ideas? The Federal government is looking for your suggestions on how it can achieve greater transparency and improve public participation in the decision-making process. Now through March 19th, anyone can submit ideas for how to make agencies better, including suggestions for data that should be published online.

First, pick your favorite agency from the Open Government Dashboard. You’ll be taken to their Open Government page, where you can start the idea submission process. The Open Government pages all rely on the IdeaScale software, which provides a platform to suggest ideas, vote on those submitted by others, and watch the most important ideas bubble to the top.

My colleague at the Defense Department recently wrote an article, HOW TO: Submit Your Ideas for DoD’s Open Government Plan, which lays out a step-by-step guide to contributing to its Open Government Page. You should also check out the Open Gov Tracker, which creates a tally of how well each agency is engaging citizens.

This is a great opportunity to let the government know which science issues are most important to you. Make sure to get your ideas in by March 19!

Erika Ebbel: From Beauty Pageants to Pipetters

John Ohab — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:38:27 +0000

Science Cheerleader readers, I’d like to introduce you to Erika Ebbel, current PhD candidate in analytical chemistry at Boston University, former Miss Massachusetts, and founder of WhizKidz, an amazing non-profit that promotes science and technology awareness in local schools.

Erika was recently featured on NOVA ScienceNOW’s web series, The Secret Lives of Scientists, which makes her an official superstar celebrity scientist! Check it out — there is a particularly great video of Erika demonstrating “the science of the gown walk”.

I had a chance to ask Erika few questions about her passion for science, the challenges of dealing with stereotypes, and some of her future ambitions. Thanks to Erika for making the time for ScienceCheerleader!

Dr. John: Tell us your story. What inspired you to pursue a career in science?

Erika: When I was in the fifth grade, a school field trip was offered to my class to go to Washington, DC, for a week. My parents told me that I had the following choice: I could go to Washington with my class, or we could go on a family vacation to Mexico over the summer. They could not afford to pay for both. I selected the trip to Mexico. However, during the time when most of the class was in Washington, it was mandatory for those that stayed behind to attend school. In my English class, we read Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. My English teacher discussed genetic cloning and engineering with us. I became fascinated with the topic and on my own began reading such books as The Body at War, The Andromeda Strain, and The Fantastic Voyage. That summer, while on the family trip to Mexico, I visited a crocodile farm and was surprised to learn that when crocodiles are critically wounded, they turn over onto their backs, slip into coma, and eventually die a painless death.

When I returned from summer vacation, I was entering the sixth grade and doing a science fair project was mandatory. The idea came to me that “if crocodiles can do it why can’t cells?” For my sixth grade science fair project I hypothesized that cells commit suicide when infected by a virus so that they can die a painless death and prevent other cells from being infected by viruses. I decided that this was going to be the subject of my science fair project. I called numerous pharmaceutical companies and laboratories in the area, looking for a lab where I could test out my hypothesis. Many of the laboratories did not return my calls. One lab was concerned that I might be growing viruses in my basement and wanted to speak with my parents. All around, no one wanted an 11 year old mentee.

Only one individual was willing to speak with me about my idea. He was the director of a local Public Health Laboratory. He taught me how to culture cells, grow viruses, use microscopes, and perform various lab techniques. He also provided me with literature relating to cells and viruses. He spent time after work hours discussing the literature after I had gone over it. I designed an experiment to “see” if cells would commit suicide when they were infected with a virus. I was allowed to use the Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), which was the least dangerous virus at the laboratory. I learned about the scientific process and method. These skills have stayed with me ever since. Although, the results of that experiment were inconclusive (it was difficult to tell whether the cells were committing suicide or simply dying because they were infected by viruses), my interest in viruses continued.

I started reading scientific journals and was fascinated by the Hantavirus outbreak at Four Corners. I read books published by the CDC such as Hot Zone by Richard Preston. While browsing around at a garage sale, I found a book on Russian folk medicine. I purchased the book to see what remedies were recommended by these ancient healers. I was amazed at the number of herbal remedies suggested for the treatment of the HSV-1. I wondered if I could test some kind of herb on HSV-1 (the virus I had worked with the previous year on cellular suicide).

I went to the University of California Medical Library in San Francisco and found through a computer search many articles related to herbal treatment; however, the one that interested me most was an article by a researcher in China, who had tested over 470 herbs on the HSV-1. According to the short outline that was in English (the rest was in Chinese), ten herbs inhibited the growth of HSV-1. The next day I went to a local Chinese herbal store and purchased four of the ten that were available at the store.

For my seventh grade science project, I asked the lab director at the Public Health Lab, if he would allow me to test the four herbs on the HSV-1. He agreed, provided that I designed my own procedure. I designed the procedure and determined that two of the four herbs were indeed able to inhibit viral growth without inducing cellular toxicity. After additional research at the UCSF Medical Library, I decided to focus my research efforts on one of the two herbs, because little to no work had been done on this particular herb.

I spent the next five years studying this herb, using various analytical methods to isolate and identify the anti-viral components in the herb. I was able to propose three novel nucleoside analog structures, which were proposed to have anti-viral activity. I worked at institutions such as San Francisco State University, Stanford University and MIT and at companies such as Genentech and Applied Biosystems. The experiences and knowledge I gained from this project were vast and have contributed to my continuing in the pursuit of a scientific career.

Dr. John: What are you currently studying for your dissertation?

Erika: I am currently attending Boston University Medical School in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences as a Ph.D. candidate in Analytical Biochemistry. I use instruments called Mass Spectrometers and Electrochemical Arrays to study Huntington Disease (HD). HD is a genetically inherited debilitating disorder, which typically has an onset during mid-life (40-50 years of age). Symptoms include chorea and psychiatric dysfunction.

The goal of my research is to continue understanding the biochemistry behind HD. In order to do this, we obtain samples of plasma, urine, etc. and use the instruments mentioned above to help learn how diseased samples differ from non-disease controls. By learning which compounds differ between disease and non-disease samples, we are able to further understand the mechanism of the disease and what biochemical pathways may be affected in patients with HD.

We are also interested in learning whether any of the compounds present in HD samples interact with proteins or DNA in aberrant ways.

Dr. John: Why did you start the WhizKids Foundation?

Erika: I started the WhizKids Foundation, Inc. in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2002 while pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After reading several articles in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post describing declining student interest and performance in math and the sciences, I decided to start WhizKids, a program which would reignite student interest in these important subjects. Since my childhood experiences in science played a vital role in my determining to pursue a career as a scientist, I thought it was crucial to start this program.

WhizKids’ goal is to help schools and students organize and set up science fairs, science clubs, facilitate access to the scientific community, run science days, teach students how to be entrepreneurs, and offer ongoing lectures by WhizKids instructors in subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, engineering and technology. I believe that participation in science fairs stimulates students to develop inquisitiveness, creativity and reasoning power. I also think that hands-on experiments allow students to see the applicability of science in the everyday world. WhizKids is involved with many student groups and communities. WhizKids programs have been started in Massachusetts, California and Florida.

Dr. John: Did you face any challenges with stereotypes after participating in the Miss America Pageant? How did you overcome those challenges?

Erika: Yes. It is interesting how strongly people react (both positively and negatively) to learning of my participation in the pageant. There were those who thought it was a very unique experience and wanted to learn about it. However, the majority raised their eyebrows and questioned why I would enter into the contest. Many thought it was a waste of time. I told them that they were wrong. The pageant gave me an opportunity to improve myself in ways that MIT did not. Academic learning was highly important to me, but I realized that I needed to learn how to speak in public, be poised, and become a better dresser. Participating in the Miss America pageant helped me to win scholarship money for MIT (approximately $20,000) and to begin working on my non-profit WhizKids which has since grown dramatically. It gave me a platform from which to speak about causes important to me, such as female participation in math and science careers and the importance of breaking with normal stereotypes. It has been 6 years since I won the pageant, and still I am balancing stereotypes.

I have learned to pay little attention to negative commentary. If people want to be closed minded, it is not worth my time trying to convince them that my choices were the right ones. I chose what was best for me; what helped me to improve myself. I have learned to ignore negative people who consistently want to characterize me as being one particular way. This has been the most effective way to overcome stereotyping. It is possible to be both academically inclined while pursuing many hobbies and interests.

Dr. John: Do you have any advice for young women considering a career in science or engineering?

Erika: We live in the “modern” era and yet there is definitely still stereotyping against women. My advice is to pursue science and engineering regardless of whatever social adversity you may face. Science and engineering are exciting fields to study. They take time to master, but consider the road to be fun and challenging. There may be moments where you take a hard class and wonder if you made the right decision. Each of us has gone through this. If you stick with it and be persistent, you will persevere. If you are interested in math and science, do not be daunted by those who may make fun of you. Do not pay attention to those who wish to tell you that scientists are geeky and cannot have other interests and talents. I was both Miss Massachusetts and a scientist, which proves it is possible.

Dr. John: It seems like you’ve accomplished so much already. What are your plans for the future?

Erika: I am interested in attending medical school after completing my PhD. I am also interested in continuing work on my non-profit WhizKids. Also, on a personal note, I continue to be active promoting math and science to students in elementary, middle and high school. It is my passion to share with them why these subjects are fun, cool and worth pursuing as careers.

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