we ’ ve made a lot of effort to hire more women faculty , and I ’ m sure that ’ s true in chemistry and math as well . Ideally , it will start a cycle where more faculty serve as role models for these students who will then inspire younger people , who will do so for subsequent generations . This is important for any university , if we are going to see more diverse perspectives in our disciplines .
Lindenberg : That ’ s one of the reasons I particularly enjoyed teaching — not just conveying the material but also helping students overcome barriers and build confidence . I was very blessed with wonderful mentors in graduate school and as a researcher . Many women in my generation didn ’ t have such an experience . It ’ s led me to really look after students in my career — not only those who are very promising but those on the other end , needing encouragement and attention too .
Sharpe : There ’ s a collegial nature I ’ ve always enjoyed here , between colleagues on campus and those who visit from around the world . In this company , you were inspired to do well , because of the very nature of that collaboration . There ’ s a constant flow of ideas and enthusiasm — I recall answering the phone once at 2:00 AM only to hear , “ I just had the greatest idea !” I said it would have to wait , but it really speaks to the spirit of things .
Maple : There definitely was an excitement at work , and myself being in the division still , I think it remains , just in a different form . All of us were here near the beginning , so we in particular can really see the realization of the founders ’ dreams . I don ’ t know exactly what Roger Revelle was thinking , but I think his dream for UC San Diego to become a major university is exactly what has happened . The old , intimate times were special , but it was always the plan to grow into something great , and to see this happen and have been a part of it — it ’ s an incredible feeling .
Members of Assistant Professor Colleen McHugh ’ s lab : ( L-R ) Aileen Button , MS ’ 20 , Emily Lara ’ 20 , Ellen Lavorando ’ 19 , McHugh and Nada Boutros ’ 19 .
THE XX FACTOR
NOBEL PRIZE winner Maria Goeppert Mayer … pioneering astronomer Margaret Burbidge … esteemed educator and chemist Katja Lindenberg ... brilliant biochemist Susan Taylor … the first American woman in space , Sally Ride .
The 60th anniversary of UC San Diego ’ s founding sciences brings an opportunity to celebrate the long and distinguished history of women who made groundbreaking contributions to scientific research , as well as to the growth and success of UC San Diego .
Since arriving on campus in 2016 , I ’ ve been awed by the number of pioneering women in our ranks and the achievements they have made over the past 60 years . Recently , I was honored to moderate Trailblazing Women in STEM , a panel discussion at the 2021 Triton Leaders Conference featuring alumnae Jessica Droge ’ 90 , Shiva Malek , PhD ’ 00 , and Jessica C . Moreton , MS ’ 16 , PhD ’ 20 — all women leading the way in scientific industry . Despite being remote , these extraordinary Tritons were able to connect to the audience in meaningful ways by sharing their personal journeys .
It ’ s critical that we appreciate the experiences of women throughout UC San Diego ’ s history and use them to chart a course through the university ’ s next 60 years . UC San Diego is a very
WOMEN IN STEM
different place than it was 60 years ago , even 10 years ago . Black Lives Matter and recent social justice movements , along with inequities magnified by the pandemic , have brought challenges to light that could benefit from a diversity of perspectives , especially those of women and other underrepresented
populations working in STEM subjects . UC San Diego was built around a culture of excellence , and the women who made that happen should be applauded for positioning our campus as one of the world ’ s top universities in such a short period . Now , we are waking up to 2021 as a very different world .
As our society and university continue to grow , women will be integral in defining the path forward . Our culture of excellence continues with a new lens of transparency and a new way of developing tomorrow ’ s leaders . It is clear that the way we do things will significantly evolve . Now is a very exciting time , a time to re-envision our future and re-imagine Physical Sciences in the next 60 years .
Vicki Grassian is a distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry . View her panel discussion and learn about women in physical sciences at : tritonmag . com / physicalsci
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