April 2007
WISE RP updateThe Women in Science and Engineering Residence Program (WISE RP) has enjoyed a very busy semester. The semester began with an afternoon of teambuilding activities on January 6th, which gave the WISE RP students an opportunity to reconnect with one another after the winter break. On January 12th, a group of twenty WISE RP women traveled to Toledo, Ohio to attend a performance of The Phantom of the Opera at the Stranahan Theater. After months of planning, the WISE RP and Michigan Research Community (MRC) students had a wonderful time at the WISE/MRC Formal, which was held on January 20th in Palmer Commons. In addition to these great events, the WISE RP also offered a Women's Health workshop in January, which featured a guest speaker from UHS. Finally, WISE RP RA Cara Canady hosted a workshop with Rob Gordon, LSA Academic Advisors, Shawn Salata, Engineering Academic Advisor, and Clare McGuire, Academic Peer Advisor on January 30th. They shared helpful time and stress management tips, as well as tips for effective studying. The WISE RP hosted two WISE Nights in February. Dr. Rosina Bierbaum, the Dean of the School of Natural Resources and Environment, spoke on the topic of Global Warming and Climate Change. On February 20th, the WISE RP hosted the "Corporate Café," which featured a panel discussion comprised of representatives from Microsoft, Toyota, Ford, and the heath world. The speakers discussed their own professional and education backgrounds and offered helpful tips regarding how the WISE RP students can apply their talents in the corporate and health professions. This spring, the WISE RP students have participated in a number of successful and though-provoking programs and activities. During March 13th's WISE Night, Sofia Merajver, MD, PhD, the Co-Director of the Breast Cancer Research Program at the University of Michigan, discussed her work and the environmental versus genetic risk factors associated with breast cancer, specifically inflammatory breast cancer, to which Dr. Merajver has devoted much of her time in research and as a clinician. According to Dr. Merajver, her greatest accomplishment in research is writing the definition for inflammatory breast cancer after her research team discovered the genetic basis for the disease. Aside from "talking science," Dr. Merajver offered her insight and wisdom into what makes a successful student, researcher, and practitioner. From her perspective, Dr. Merajver insists she cannot worry about her results being "scooped" because an efficient researcher always tries to answer several questions when conducting investigations. She wittily divulged her high standards as a teacher to medical students and emphasized the importance of any health care professional's responsibility to remember extensive amounts of information and be dedicated to life-long learning in order to adequately serve patients. During the March 27th WISE Night, Nesha Haniff, MPH, PhD, who studies models for educating women about HIV/AIDS and preventing gender-based violence among women affected by the AIDS epidemic, discussed current trends and challenges with the disease. HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects women in developing nations, and Dr. Haniff emphasized privilege as the major barrier to educating women in these regions about the risk factors and prevention methods because many women are illiterate and education methods often include pamphlets/videos. Dr. Haniff stressed that for significant progress to be made on this front, it is every woman's responsibility to address gender inequality in healthcare and relationships. In addition to these great WISE Nights, the WISE RP students have organized and participated at a number of community events, as well. The Program Board planned the following activities for community members to enjoy: a trip to salsa dancing, a yoga and relaxation program, powderpuff football games, an outing to U of M's Native American Pow Wow, Relay for Life, an ice-skating trip, and a root beer float study break. As the semester wraps up, the WISE RP is looking to celebrate the end of a wonderful year at our Sunset Luau on April 15th.
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