Cantwell and Barton Combat Gender Inequality in STEM

BME professor and BIO5 Institute Director Jennifer Barton, along with AME professor of practice and senior vice president for research and innovation at the University of Arizona Betsy Cantwell recently spoke with news channel KGUN about the Women of Impact program. The program seeks to recognize impressive women researchers, innovators and community organizers at the UA.

"It was obvious that we needed to figure out ways that we can encourage more women to enter, and stay, in STEM fields," said Barton. "This was an important topic for us to take on."

According to Barton, women make up about half of the workforce, but only about a quarter in STEM. This new program seeks to change that by honoring and supporting exceptional women in research and innovation. 

"It's really an opportunity for our community to, not just suggest women who are deserving of recognition, but to suggest people within the community who are supporting women," Cantwell said.