The Changing STEM World
Women are becoming more widely recognized for their work and contributions to STEM. In October 2020, two women—Emanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna—shared the Nobel Prize in a scientific field for the first time. However, previous years looked much different. In 2019, for example, nine individuals won Nobel Prizes in the three scientific fields—physics, chemistry, and physiology or medicine. All nine were men. Most of them were white. While it is encouraging that women are receiving much deserved recognition for their contributions, the world still has a long way to go.
Women in STEM 5 Years down the Road
I hope to see more women in positions of leadership in science and technology companies. The vast majority of C-suite positions in the life sciences and technology sectors are held by men. My hope is this will change in the future, as more women are advancing in these areas.
Increasing diversity in STEM fields brings with it benefits for society at large. Technological advances and innovation are important for stimulating economic growth and solving the many issues facing this country and the world at large. As a society, it is critical that we have a diverse group of people in leadership positions who are tasked with tackling these problems—people who can bring different and unique perspectives and solutions to the forefront. Increasing the representation of women in positions of leadership is one important step toward reaching that goal.
My Own STEM Experience
For the past nine years, I have represented clients navigating a variety of intellectual property challenges. One of the things I love most about the job is that each case presents a unique opportunity to learn about different areas of technology and innovation. Over the past several years, I have learned about how cell phones communicate with cell towers, the technology that allows the postal service to sort millions of pieces of mail every day, the techniques that surgeons use to conduct complex medical procedures, and many other technologies. Every case brings a new challenge, and I never cease to be amazed by the incredible work science and technology companies do every day.