By Robin Milford, MSIS and Gali Halevi, PhD, MLS
A recent study published by the Harvard Business Review highlights barriers that still exist for women entering STEM. Others argue that the gender gap in STEM is “overblown.” What does it mean to be a woman in STEM today? In this interview series, we’ll talk with some of the women at the heart of the STEM debate – female scientists at Mount Sinai Health System. Some interviews will be brief, some will be longer. Whether they’re doing innovative genomics research or providing exemplary patient care, these scientists will undoubtedly have significant insight about the challenges, joys, and realities of working in STEM.
Name: Katherine Chen, MD MPH
Specialty: Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science
Current position/s: Associate Professor, Vice Chair of Education, and Director of Medical Student Clerkship in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Education: MD, Harvard Medical School
Residency, OB-GYN Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
- Can you describe what inspired your interest in science?
Parents: father physicist and mother nurse midwife.
Knack in grade school, high school, and college with science classes.
Apprenticeship with pediatrician in hometown.
- What engages you the most about your research?
Fun topic – mobile applications in Ob-Gyn
Enthusiastic research team of nurse practitioners, medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty at Sinai and other academic institutions.
Making discoveries
- Do you currently have a mentor? Describe how a mentor has been of professional and/or academic assistance to you as you’ve strived to fulfill your career goals.
Yes, I do have several mentors – chair people across the country, researchers, leaders in medical education.
- What is one of your more challenging career experiences?
Being offered a job from one academic institution, accepting the offer, and then having to decline as another academic institution gave a counter offer.
- What advice would you give to other aspiring female scientists?
Read Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg.
Keep publishing.
Say “No, thank you…” to committees and positions that do not advance your career.
Learn more about Dr. Chen on the Mount Sinai Medicine Matters blog.