UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center Magazine Fall 2015 | Page 3

WOMEN in
SCIENCE
Senior Leaders of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center
By JOSH TILL and HIL ARY ME ARES

In the United States today, women are better represented in the workforce than ever before. According
to the U.S. Department of Labor, women comprise nearly half of the total U.S. workforce at 47 percent.
In recent years, more than half of the bachelor’s degrees awarded in all academic fields – 57 percent –
were earned by women.

One area of concern, however, is the lack of

women in STEM fields – Science, Technology,

Engineering and Mathematics. For example, statistics
show that women make up only:

n 39 percent of chemists and material scientists
n 27.9 percent of environmental scientists
n 15.6 percent of chemical engineers
n 12.1 percent of civil engineers
n 8.3 percent of electrical engineers
Furthermore, recent data shows that only around

double from that of 1993.

team, almost
half are women,
and all are

The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center has a

longstanding tradition of diversity among its faculty,
staff and particularly its leadership. Of the Cancer

brilliant, talented
scientists who

Center’s senior leadership team, almost half are

women, and all are brilliant, talented scientists who

are leaders in their fields and bring unique talents and

are leaders in
their fields and

expertise to

trending upward. In the last decade, the number

and learning how they came to UAB and how they

related fields has risen to almost 50 percent. Women

C E N T E R

and environmental scientists were women – more than

leadership

Magazine, we introduce you to each of these six

of women receiving doctorate degrees in STEM-

C A N C E R

sciences. In 2010, 48 percent of biological, agricultural

26 percent.

While these numbers are low, they are fortunately

C O M P R E H E N S I V E

Center’s senior

among women has been strongest in the biological

bring unique

women, and in Alabama, that number is even lower –

U A B

occupations, up from 23 percent in 1993. Growth

expertise to their work at the Cancer Center.

32 percent of physicians in the United States are

2

Of the Cancer

now comprise 28 percent of all workers in STEM

In this issue of UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center

women. We hope you enjoy getting to know each one
are meeting the challenges of leading the way in the

talents and
their work at the
Cancer Center.

fight against cancer.

# K N O W U A B C C C

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U A B . E D U / C A N C E R

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