Shivangi Sharma and Pragya Jain
(09.04.2020)
Dr. Nevan Krogan, world renowned researcher, molecular biologist and professor founded University of Regina’s Jack and June Krogan Women in Science Scholarship. The first awardee of the scholarship is Alexandria Ripplinger, a fourth year biology student at the University. The award contains a CA$3,000 grant and fully-paid two-month summer research experience at the Krogan Lan in San Francisco. Alexandria is currently working on her thesis focusing on multiple sclerosis research.
Best known for his work on HIV and cancer, Dr. Krogan says that the scholarship is in honor of his parents. “From my experience, women are some of the best scientists I have encountered. Anything we can do to encourage more gender balance is great for STEM,” Dr. Krogan explained.
Many women have shown lack of support in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field that acts as a hindrance in pursuing their dreams. Such scholarships play an important role in inspiring women to take up STEM courses and become the changemakers the world needs.
At the University of Regina’s Faculty of Science, women in the STEM field have plenty of support, both academically and financially. Last year, the university announced that CA$200,000 in scholarships will be allocated specifically to female graduate students entering the Faculties of Science and Engineering. It is just one of several initiatives at the university that are designed to support women in STEM.
Interim Vice-President (Research) Dr Kathleen McNutt said: “Female researchers in STEM are not only doing some amazing research but they also serve as key role models to students, in particular, young women seeking careers in the STEM fields.”
“Supporting and advancing the education and careers of these young women will be critical to disrupting old paradigms and advancing an innovation agenda that is both gender-responsive and brings diversity to the forefront of innovation.”
“We must do all we can to increase the number of women in STEM. By creating more opportunities in STEM, we can improve gender equality and bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the field,” she concluded.
