Welcome to the Madison Chapter of Graduate Women in Science (GWIS – Beta Chapter). Our chapter was founded in 1922 and is proud to be the oldest, continually active chapter of GWIS. We are a diverse group of scientists striving to inspire, support, recognize, and empower women in science.
We welcome members of all genders who have undergraduate degrees and are involved in research at all levels, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research associates, staff, and faculty. All scientific fields are welcome – we believe diversity in all areas strengthens our organization.
Madison Spotlights
Catherine Pettinger
Graduate Research Assistant
My main research focuses on contaminant transport in the environment! I am especially interested in how microorganisms interact with heavy metals and how that impacts remediation efforts. I also have a side project involving fat/oil/grease transport in the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District. I am part of the Erica Majumder laboratory in the Department of Bacteriology. My graduate program is Molecular and Environmental Toxicology.
What is your education/career background?
I received my bachelor’s degree from the College of Saint Benedict in central Minnesota in biochemistry with a music minor. I then worked in a variety of sectors for 5 years including a year at a homeless youth shelter, a year with AmeriCorps Cape Cod, two years with Aldevron LLC as a biochemistry QC analyst, and a couple other part-time roles mixed in as well! I joined the UW-Madison Molecular and Environmental Toxicology program in 2022.
How have you navigated a career in STEM as a woman/underrepresented minority?
I have tried to identify mentors in my personal and professional life. Mentors have helped me develop my goals, find resources and connections, and train my hard and soft skill sets. We often think of mentorship as helping with careers — which they definitely do! — but often mentors can be found in many other places and help with personal goals and development as well
What advice do you have for women/underrepresented groups pursuing an education/career in STEM?
Find mentors! Do not rely on other people to guide you without asking; seek mentors out and ask for specific advice.
Also, actively try and develop a community. Reach out to those in your network for coffee/drinks/hiking/etc. Especially in academic labs and school-settings, the personnel can change year-to-year so having support groups outside of lab/work can be helpful to maintain a community.
What do you enjoy most about your career/current role?
I love learning! And being a graduate student means that there is always something to learn. There is SO much cool research happening around the world and here at UW-Madison it can be a bit overwhelming, but it is very exciting.
What does diversity, inclusivity, and equity look like to you in your job sector? How do you incorporate DEI in your position?
DEI is a massive umbrella of actions, support, and approaches. To focus on one letter of DEI, inclusivity, this means to me showing up similarly for my colleagues during good times and bad. I have at various points in my life felt excluded, so I actively emphasize inclusion when planning events and in how I communicate. I try to have a mindset of “Be what you want others to provide to you.”
What is your favorite way to unwind?
I hike, bike, run, and try to get outside when the weather is decent! In the winter I love to bake, read books, and work on little crafts like cross-stitch patterns.
Want to learn more about our organization? Connect with Us!
Meet the chapter leadership Here.