Meet the Women of STEM
Meet Kloe!
On the fateful “Engineering Day” at the LSU campus, Kloe was introduced to the field of Industrial Engineering. It was at that moment that she knew this was exactly the career field she wanted to pursue. She preferred Industrial Engineering over the more locally popular “Petroleum Engineering” track since Industrial Engineering can “Improve efficiency, reduce cost, and improve the quality” of anything that involves a process.
Kloe graduated with a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering and is currently working as a Senior Corporate Technology Advisor for ABC Companies. When asked about whether she experienced any biases directed towards her on her journey to success, she said,
“Biases would come in different stages: for myself, it was more of a mental obstacle in college…At times, I would be the only female in my class and I struggled with feeling like I didn’t belong”
During her interview, Kloe even mentioned that she began to empathize with the many other marginalized groups. Yet, she didn’t not allow this to stop her from reaching her goals. When asked about her proudest achievement, she shares how she was able to create (from scratch) a “Fleet app” for her company that is “geared towards efficient data collection”. In her words, this app, “added sustainability to a company that reduces paper processes, as well as brought many departments together to create a more cohesive work environment”.
By the end of the interview, Kloe gives a heartfelt nod of appreciation towards her family for helping her through her journey:
“You have to have some support structure that helps validate your confidence because sometimes when you are in those uncomfortable situations, you may question if you belong. And when you feel like you can’t get out of it, you need that-someone to tell you that you do belong, and that you are meant to do this because you love it!”
Meet Erica!
At a young age, Erica suffered the sudden loss of her mother while abroad in Germany. Being that she was very close with her mother, and the fact that her mother was studying to become a nurse before her untimely departure, Erica felt that it was her duty to become a nurse as well. She states that seeing how her mother aspired to help others inspired her to pursue nursing so that she may help others too!
Erica went on to earn her BSNRN and is currently an Operating Room RN. When asked about what she is especially proud of throughout her career, she states,
“I feel proud when a Surgeon wants me to be with them in the operating room…I can remember every little detail of what a Surgeon needs; once I recognize that, they will want me with them every time. My organizational skills allow the operation to go smoothly and the patients to be well cared for.”
When asked about what advice she would give to young girls and women who are interested in pursuing a career in STEM, Erica said,
“Take really good notes! In my college, some would say ‘WWED’ or ‘ What Would Erica Do?’ I would take amazing notes and tear up a chapter into little pieces until it made sense.
Reflecting further on what she would say to her younger self, she leaves off with saying,
“Stand up for yourself. You can do anything you set your mind to. A lot of people tend to forget that”.
Sound advice that is sure to resonate with those who aspire to make a stand in STEM!
Meet Camila!
Camila Quinonez’s journey into synthetic biology offers an inspiring example of how a single decision can set the course for a fulfilling and impactful career. Her involvement in the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition during her undergraduate years at the University of Westminster opened doors to leadership and innovation in biological engineering. This early experience, which included leading her team in the development of a project focused on biosynthesizing aminolevulinic acid using E. coli, was pivotal in shaping her academic and professional path. It also highlights the value of taking on new challenges and embracing opportunities to learn, especially in interdisciplinary fields like synthetic biology (iGEM).
Her work reflects a deep commitment to addressing the some rather worrisome issues of our time, such as climate change and public health. For Camila, microorganisms hold incredible potential, both in healing and in driving industrial innovation (iGEM). This belief is evidenced by her co-founding of a nonprofit focused on preserving Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, where she combines her scientific expertise with a broader vision for environmental conservation, using AI and community-driven approaches to combat deforestation and protect biodiversity (iGEM).
In addition to her academic and nonprofit work, Camila’s transition into the startup world allowed her to merge scientific knowledge with practical, real-world impact (iGEM). The dynamic environment of a startup, with its emphasis on collaboration, scaling, and commercialization, challenged her to think beyond the lab and embrace the broader applications of science. These experiences underscore the importance of being adaptable and cultivating a diverse skill set—qualities that are essential for navigating today’s fast-paced, interdisciplinary fields (iGEM).
Camila’s advice for young women considering STEM is clear: embrace the opportunities you encounter, especially those that allow you to explore, collaborate, and make a difference. Programs like iGEM can be transformative, offering both technical experience and a community of like-minded individuals committed to shaping the future of science and technology (iGEM).
References
- Bokhari, Hassnain Qasim. “A Quest Driven by Care: Camila’s Contribution for the Synthetic Biology Future.” iGEM, 19 Feb. 2024, blog.igem.org/blog/2023/11/16/a-quest-driven-by-care-camilas-contribution-for-the-synthetic-biology-future.