Meredith has been a resident of Winchester since 2002. She is a STEM advocate and has had many roles including project manager, research scientist, and community organizer.
What sparked your interest in STEM?
My dad is a cardiologist and did a lot of clinical research – he always had large NIH grants that he was doing and my sister and brothers and I got to hear about those studies around the dinner table. A key part of his research was that he was always listening to his patients and putting together ideas for studies from them – his curiosity about the world fueled his research. I majored in chemistry in college and got to work in the summer in an oncology lab where we were sequencing a rare gene – what took us days to do back then can be done overnight with rapid sequencing machines! My path has taken me to do research in science education on how students learn STEM topics and how we can encourage more students to get into STEM pathways. To do that I’ve worked on teams that develop engaging STEM activities and games, and we try them and see how those impact learning and STEM interest.
What have been some of the highlights of your work (or something you are proud of)?
I have worked on so many amazing projects with amazing people. I’m most proud of the work I have done with multidimensional teams of engineers, instructional designers, programmers, and designers. I’ve worked on a couple of really interesting projects where we use virtual reality to help people learn. I worked on a project where we were helping people learn to use manufacturing milling machines in virtual reality so they could operate them in the real world. I’ve also worked on using virtual reality to help people learn about biology by playing a game that takes place inside of a cell. These types of experiences help people get excited about and engaged with science and engineering, and are a pathway to STEM interest and STEM careers.
Do you feel you faced particular challenges, and/or had particular advantages, as a female studying STEM or working in a STEM field?
I have been fortunate to have a lot of support in my path. However, I have been in situations where there were very few women. Just last year I was at a big meeting and workshop sponsored by the Department of Defense where women were in the minority. There were lots of very vocal and animated male voices, and it would have been easy to sit and be quiet and not engage in the heated conversation. However, I always make a habit of seeking out other women and connections so we can support and celebrate each other. Surrounding myself with supporters helped me gain the confidence in sharing my own ideas and opinions with the group.
Recognizing that our lives have multiple dimensions and pressures, what do you do for self-care?
I like to detach from work in many ways. One of my favorite activities is walking in the Fells. I play flute and percussion (congas) and I find peace and joy in making music. I also love to go see live music. I read books – often about science – and I love listening to podcasts.
Since this is a month honoring women, is there a woman who has inspired you and why?
There are so many – do I have to pick one? There is an MIT graduate named Netia McCray. She started an organization called Mbdika, which means “idea.” She gets girls interested in STEM through Fashion engineering and design. She has built a huge outreach program that trains high school girls as mentors and ambassadors to younger middle school and elementary girls. She is truly an amazing woman.
I also know a person from MIT named Natalie Kuldell. She has built a nonprofit around bioengineering called BioBuilder. BioBuilder is a curriculum that prepares students for careers in biotech and supports teachers in learning the curriculum and gives students opportunities through the BioBuilder network.
While I have the stage 🙂 I am going to pick two hometown sheroes. I am inspired by Catherine Valega who founded Green Bee Advisory. Catherine is a financial advisor and community organizer who has a Women in STEM group she sponsors monthly. She is also bringing together women who are empty nesters so we can learn and have fun together. Thank you, Catherine!
I am also inspired by Dot Butler who has led the Winchester Coalition for a Safer Community for many years – her endless volunteer work has made this town a better place. The energy and reach that Dot has in this community is just wonderful.
How can we inspire and support young women to pursue STEM in their studies, careers, or lives?
I think giving girls lots of connections to how STEM can be useful in their own lives, opportunities to engage in authentic STEM activities, and exposure to mentors – both male and female mentors. Making connections like Netia McCray does between fashion and engineering or like Natalie does with biology and engineering can encourage girls to think of themselves as scientists and engineers. Once girls are interested, some next steps are finding camps or activities that can help them explore and build STEM knowledge – joining the robotics club or math team – and building confidence in their skills and knowledge of STEM.