Genetic Counselor Singles Out Tenacity, Resilience, and Willingness to Volunteer as the Keys to Succeeding in Her STEM Education and Career
Jennifer DiRaimo, a former genetic counselor and now Director of Research and Canadian Advocacy at the Platelet Disorder Support Association, shared her personal and professional journey with STEM fellows, highlighting the power of persistence, adaptability, and lifelong learning. Drawing from her own experiences—including the loss of her son—DiRaimo emphasized the impact of genetic counseling, the value of health advocacy work, and the many paths available in STEM beyond traditional clinical roles.
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From the Seabed to Space: Engineers Describe STEM Career Possibilities with the U.S. Navy
In a recent presentation to STEM Career Fellows, a panel of engineers share that the Navy isn't just about warfare—it also supports global logistics, disaster relief, and innovation from "seabed to space." Their journeys highlighted the value of curiosity, adaptability, internships, and lifelong learning in shaping fulfilling STEM careers —from designing massive amphibious ships to solving real-time challenges at sea.
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Expert in Psychology, Human Factors, Acoustics, and Artificial Intelligence Counsels STEM Fellows to “Just Say YES!”
Dr. Yvonne Masakowski, a seasoned researcher and professor with experience spanning the U.S. Navy, NATO, industry, and academia, recently spoke with Sandra Lee Heyman Foundation STEM Career Awareness Fellows about the power of hands-on experience. She encouraged them to seek internships and research opportunities, emphasizing that saying “yes” to new experiences can open doors to unexpected and exciting career paths.
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Software Engineer Describes His Journey – Including Stops at Start-ups, Large Firm, and Giant Global Tech Company
Chetan Sabnis, a software engineering director at Google, shared his journey from studying electrical engineering to leading teams that deliver critical societal information through Google Search. Emphasizing adaptability and passion, he encouraged pursuing personal projects, building communication skills, and taking initiative to thrive in the ever-evolving tech industry.
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Washington Insider Expresses Optimism About STEM’s Contributions to Policy, Economy, and Workforce
Bruce Mehlman, founder and partner of Mehlman Consulting, recently shared with Sandra Lee Heyman STEM Career Awareness Fellows his take on the hottest tech policy topics on Washington’s radar, highlighting positive developments, very tough issues, and how they affect prospects for those thinking about a career in STEM.
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Record Number of STEM Career Exploration High School Fellows Selected, Program Expands to New Schools
The Sandra Lee Heyman Foundation today announced that a record number of high school students have been selected to participate in a fellowship program that enables them to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The 48 new fellows are from 16 high schools in Montgomery County and Baltimore, MD.
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Neutrons, Isotopes, and…Sketching?
Dr. Robert Dimeo recently described both the power of neutrons as tools for probing materials – and the power of sketching as a way to communicate scientific concepts with the Sandra Lee Heyman STEM Career Awareness Fellows.
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Biochemist Offers Insights into Increasingly Interdisciplinary STEM Careers
Dr. Sheng Lin-Gibson shares with STEM Fellows her experience managing interdisciplinary research teams across health, industrial, agricultural, and other biological applications in her field.
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STEM Career Exploration Fellowships Available: High School Sophomores Can Now Apply
Fellowships that enable high school students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are now open to current sophomores in Montgomery County, Maryland, the Washington, D.C. area, and the Baltimore Ingenuity Project.
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Building Concrete Canoes Leads a Civil Engineer to Start-up a Company Offering Climate-Improving Energy Services
Dr. Anthony Kinslow’s primary focus is on making a meaningful impact to mitigate global warming. The CEO of Gemini Energy Solutions shared his motivation and journey in a recent discussion with Sandra Lee Heyman Fellows.
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STEM Career Awareness Fellowship Program Continues to Earn Strong Positive Reviews
For the fourth consecutive time, 100% of graduating Sandra Lee Heyman Foundation STEM Career Awareness Fellows endorse the program
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From India and Kenya to the US – and (Bio)Mechanical Engineering
Ritu Raman, Ph.D. runs a lab that designs adaptive living materials for applications ranging from medicine to machines. Raman and her team are especially focused on engineering the neuromuscular system to restore mobility and to power robots.
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Cellos, t-shirts, and squid all lead to...a neuroscience institute
The path from music and art to a career in biology was neither obvious nor planned.
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“Shoot for the moon. If you miss, you still be among the stars,” STEM leader advises High School Fellows
Wisdom and perspective from a STEM leader who has spent decades in academia, industry, and government
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STEM Career Exploration High School Fellows Selected, Program Expands
The Sandra Lee Heyman Foundation announces its fifth class of STEM career exploration fellows. The 40 new fellows are from 12 high schools in Montgomery County and Baltimore, MD, including 7 schools new to the program and a home-schooled student.
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Biomedical Engineering: It’s All About Solving Problems and Improving Healthcare
Guest speakers Eileen Haase, PhD and Shiker Nair teach Fellows about the diverse spectrum career opportunities within the field of biomedical engineering.
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STEM Career Exploration Fellowships Available: High School Sophomores and Juniors Can Now Apply
The Sandra Lee Heyman Foundation is accepting applications through November 30th for high school students interested in exploring careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in Montgomery County, Maryland, the Washington, D.C. area, and the Baltimore Ingenuity Project.
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University Researcher Describes Her Shift from Art to Chemistry...and Diverse Career Options for Chemists
A paid internship in a laboratory at the University of California Santa Barbara – suggested by Dr. Tekle-Smith’s high school guidance counselor – offered her a chance to see how the concepts she learned in class could be applied to chemistry, and changed the trajectory of her career.
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An “Accidental” Computer Scientist Explains AI Careers and Offers Tips for High School, College, Careers...and Life
Kathy Pham learned about computer science accidentally. Yet she’s having an extraordinary career in computer science and the fast-developing field of artificial intelligence (AI).
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High School STEM Career Awareness Fellows Continue to Cite Program’s Value
100% of Class 3 Fellows responding to their end-of-fellowship surveys have endorsed the program designed to expand high school students’ awareness of careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
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