Women in Environmental Science

Lynn Hosts First Annual Women’s Conference

By Natalie Gonzalez, Contributing Writer

This past spring, Lynn University hosted the Women in Environmental Science Conference. The event was a success, bringing together women from various backgrounds and environmental disciplines, providing a platform for networking, mentorship and professional development.

“We need women in environmental health because they have historically been underrepresented as research participants and researchers,” said Dr. Cassandra Korte, an environmental toxicologist and Lynn faculty member. “This has had an enormous impact on women’s health.”

The importance of women in environmental science cannot be overstated. Women play a critical role in the field, not only because they bring unique perspectives and experiences but also because they work toward gender equality.

“The myth that women compete with one another to make it is false. I have been most successful when I collaborate with other women! We do best when sharing and learning from each other,” said Dr. April Watson, a Lynn professor and archeologist at the Everglades National Park. “I did this with Dr. Lecher on a geoarchaeology project, and now we have students publishing on the research, and our collaboration continues. In my opinion, we all do better when we collaborate, not compete.”

Being in a room full of bold women sharing their research journeys and participating in skill workshops allowed individuals to experience what it means to work in environmental science.

The conference advocated and empowered us in our continuous sense of purpose and fulfillment when working and studying in this field, as such events are rare to be part of.

“As women, we are often told that we can’t do it, but I learned to use that as a strength to guide me in fulfilling my dream of becoming a researcher,” said Maria De Almeida, a second-year biological sciences graduate student. “All we need is to believe in ourselves.”

Women’s involvement is vital in inspiring the next generation of female scientists and leaders.