My name is Samantha Kennelly and I am a 2017 graduate from Hamline University with a BA in Chemistry and am currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry.
I wanted to make you aware of the new Midwest Empowering Women in Organic Chemistry (EWOC) Chapter. If you are unfamiliar with EWOC, it was founded in 2019 by a group of organic chemists and others who support women in science as an opportunity to recognize, identify and retain women in the field of organic chemistry, regardless of their gender. Annual EWOC conferences have been held since 2019, and as a graduate student has provided me the opportunity to hear seminars from amazing scientists, attend career development and female empowerment workshops, partake in networking events, and present my own research in a poster session. With the networking opportunities available at the EWOC conference, the Midwest EWOC chapter was established this summer after attending the virtual EWOC conference! By creating this chapter, we hope to facilitate the building of networking relationships, create mentorship opportunities, and promote professional development within the Midwest region.
Our first event is a joint EWOC-chapter virtual symposium held October 8th. You can sign-up to give a flash talk in front of industry professionals and receive 1:1 feedback. More information about the event can be found on our LinkedIn and Twitter pages. Additionally, in January 2022 we will be hosting a chapter kick-off event promoting the power of networking. More information is to follow on our LinkedIn and Twitter pages.
As a graduate from a small liberal arts college, I believe that this organization is a great way for students and others to be involved in both the academic and industrial Midwest scientific community. I am asking that you share this information with your students and other faculty members of your department; the easiest way to stay connected is to join our mailing list.
To learn more about EWOC, and consider joining the Midwest EWOC mailing list for upcoming events. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter for updates on current and upcoming events.
Let me know if you have any questions and I appreciate your time.
Best regards,
Samantha Kennelly