ADVANCE Project Recognizes Emerging STEM Leaders

The ADVANCE Project at Alabama A&M University recently featured a group of student STEM leaders in observance of March as Women’s History Month.

The emerging women in STEM list included (top left) Varsha Chowdary Anche, graduate Ph.D. student in food science; Nyah Coleman, mathematics; Ariana Ezell, biology; (middle left) Mersaydes Goodson, physics; Taylor Petty, forestry; Daija Thompson, animal sciences; (bottom left) Kimberly Townsend, communicative sciences and disorders; Courtnie Ward, family and consumer sciences; and Daija Young, chemistry.

The ADVANCE Project was formed when AAMU received a three-year subcontract award from The University of Alabama at Birmingham to implement The Alabama ADVANCE Partnership for Achieving Gender Equity in STEM.

The project aims to increase the participation and Advancement of Women in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by focusing on previous research data and literature concerning gender, racial and ethnic equity.   Additional partners include the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Miles College and Oakwood University.

AAMU’s ADVANCE Leadership Team is comprised of Dr. Jeanette Jones, PI, Distinguished Professor of Biology and faculty trustee, AAMU Board of Trustees; Dr. Tonya Perry, professor and chairperson, Department of Social Work, Psychology & Counseling; Dr. Padmaja Guggilla, co-PI, professor and interim chair of the Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics; Dr. Malinda Swoope, co-PI, special assistant to the president and associate professor of chemistry; Dr. Martha Verghese, co-PI, professor and chair, Department of Food Science & Animal Sciences; and Ms. Dianne Kirnes, program manager.

For additional information about the ADVANCE Project at AAMU, contact Dianne Kirnes, program manager, at (256) 372-8786.