Dr Nisreen El-Hashemite, MD, PhD, CEO/Executive Director of the Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT) found the Women in Science International League after experiencing gender pay disparity. She is also an Iraqi princess who had to defy royal protocol to become a medical doctor and a geneticist. She holds advanced degrees in biomedical science, molecular biology, and genetics.
Dr El-Hashemite has used her passion and experience as a prominent doctor and scientist to advocate for more women in science and medicine, and for empowering women and girls to follow those paths and fight for equal pay. She was the key driver of the change in UN General Assembly to proclaim February 11th the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
Under her leadership and the auspices of RASIT, a highly successful 5th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly was organized on February 11th and 12th 2020 at the UN Headquarters in New York. High-level panels of experts from around the world deliberated STEM women participation and facilitation of socio-economic sustainable development. The discussions were themed around driving investment in equality in science, technology and innovation in the digitalization era for inclusive green growth with special focus on agriculture, technology and digital economy.
AWIS New Jersey President Dr. Kamana Misra, a scientist on the entrepreneur trajectory, reiterated Association for Women in Science (AWIS) agenda of parity in pay, promotion and participation for women in STEM. Watch her session recording HERE
Other New Jersey chapter attendees included Forough Ghahramani, Associate Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Sponsored Programs at Edge, Gloria Bachmann MD, Director, Women’s Health Institute, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, Mrinalini Ayachit, Founder and CEO – Vibrnz, Sushmita Chatterjee, Founder,CEO/CTO, Learnroll Immerse, Linda Obenauer-kutner, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Kim Case JD, Executive Director, Research & Development Council of New Jersey, Tryputsen Volha, Janssen Research & Development and Natasha Velikoselskiy.
A book to highlight women in science as agents for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was also launched. Supporters of the cause can purchase the book through the linked image of the book. All proceeds from the sales will go towards RASITs global programs supporting and empowering women and girls in science.
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