WISE Program Supports Young Women in Science

Gene therapy. Asthma. Cancer. Nanotechnology. Schizophrenia. Drug Abuse. Pollution. In the last three months, University of Cincinnati researchers have tackled some of the world’s most important and challenging scientific problems. What might surprise you is that those researchers are still undergraduates.

Nineteen young women worked side by side with leading scientists and engineers at UC and the Children’s Hospital Medical Center to learn more about research careers. They are part of UC’s Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) summer research program.

The Research Experience For Women Undergraduates (REWU) program is organized by Urmila Ghia, professor of mechanical engineering and a well-known mentor on the UC campus.

“The experience has been invaluable,” said Amy Hurst of Loveland. “Wonderful!” exclaimed Ashley Wolff of Walton Kentucky when asked how the program helped her. “It’s given me an amazing opportunity to grow and learn as a researcher...something practically unattainable in the classroom.”

“My participation in the WISE program has been a wonderful experience. I have been able to help with cutting-edge research that holds tremendous potential in saving lives,” added Laura S. Wenning, a pre-pharmacy student at UC.

The young researchers will share their summer research findings in a special presentation 12:30-4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 in Room 427 of the Engineering Research Center. A summary of the research project follows.

A National Council for Research on Women report shows that women hold just 12 percent of science and engineering jobs even though they make up 45 percent of the workforce. The UC collaborative effort is one attempt to change those figures and help more women succeed in research careers.

Sponsors include the offices of the Provost, the Vice President for Research and Advanced Studies, the participating departments, the Faculty Development Council, and George Rieveschl, a UC alumnus and inventor of the first antihistamine Benadryl.

Summary of the Research Projects