There’s no doubt you have seen some of our past blog posts, extolling the many virtues of the Oncofertility Saturday Academy (OSA). It’s all about getting young women interested in science and giving them an opportunity to see, firsthand, how impactful science can be by working with prominent oncofertility researchers and clinicians. It truly is an inspiring program and does so much for the students who participate in the sessions.
Evidence of the impact can be seen in the BE WiSE fall newsletter. BE WiSE is a program that engages young women in science, technology, engineering and math learning experiences, in collaboration with San Diego’s research and academic institutions. The program, which began in 2008, gives students the chance to explore their interest in science, including an opportunity to work in Oncofertility Consortium member, Dr. Jeffrey Chang’s, laboratory learning about the research, clinical care and bioethics of fertility and cancer. In short, BE WiSE makes a difference for talented young women who are encouraged to contribute to science and engineering professions.
In the latest BE WiSE newsletter, there are two articles about the 2011 Oncofertility Summer Academy as well as an article written by BE WiSE alumnae who attended the 2011 Oncofertility Consortium Conference in Chicago. It’s great to hear about the conference from the girls’ perspective! Their enthusiasm and excitement poured off the pages, demonstrating the powerful impression the field of oncofertility has left on them. It makes me excited to think that they may one day be making their own strides in fertility preservation.
It’s also important to note the response we received from non-student attendees at the 2011 Oncofertility Consortium Conference – they were delighted to speak with the young women and attend their poster session. For some, seeing the future generation of oncofertility was the best part of the conference. There’s something to be said about the zeitgeist energy these young women bring to the field and the influence it has among already prominent researchers and clinicians in oncofertility. Even the White House is taking notice! BE WiSE alum, Julia Roche, was asked to participate in the 21st Century Learning Conference where she presented her summer project at Scripps to Representatives from the Departments of Homeland Security, Commerce, and Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan. Take a look at this fall’s Be WiSE newsletter and see for yourself, the amazing things young women are doing in science.
Are you a cancer survivor? Help oncofertility researchers study and prevent treatment-induced fertility loss by joining the FIRST online fertility registry for cancer survivors!