Two From WMU Named To Notable Women in STEM For 2019

Two scientist/administrators from Western Michigan University, Dr. Terri Goss Kinzy and Dr. Carla Koretsky, have been named to Crain's Detroit Business'  2019 Notable Women in STEM.

Kinzy, is vice president for research and professor of biological sciences at WMU. Her work in gene expression and protein synthesis is well known in her field.

Kinzy says her love of science started early.

"I consider myself fortunate that my parents, while not scientists or even college graduates, encouraged my natural interest with science kits, microscopes and other opportunities to explore, who came to WMU in early 2018 from Rutgers University, where she did extensive work in molecular biology and biochemistry as well as pediatrics. "I think kids from all backgrounds have a natural interest in science, we just need to encourage them to explore that." - WMU release

Koretsky is the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, WMU’s largest and most diverse college. An active researcher, Koretsky focuses on aqueous geochemistry and biogeochemistry, seeking to integrate field, laboratory and modeling studies of mineral-water-biological interactions near the Earth's surface.

"I decided to pursue science because of my desire to help solve global environmental problems, especially those related to issues like clean water and air," Koretsky says.

WMU says Koretsky has been awarded more than $1.1 million in external grants from such agencies as the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy and the American Chemical Society.

This fall (2019), WMU says Koretsky will implement a cohort model to support STEM students in the College of Arts and Sciences. "This evidenced-based support structure is designed to decrease the achievement gaps in retention and four-year graduation rates between majority students and underrepresented students, including minorities and women."

"Globally, we face critical environmental and technical challenges that will only be solved by fully employing the creativity and talent of the next generation of potential scientists," says Koretsky, adding that there is a persistent perception among U.S. school kids that scientists fit a very narrow stereotype.