Since 1995, U.S. presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions that women have made to the U.S. and recognize the achievements that women have accomplished over the course of American history in a variety of fields.
Marked annually on March 8th, International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
As part of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day celebrations, the New York Genome Center (NYGC) honors the many women scientists and staff at the NYGC who continue to advance genomic science. Please learn more about some of their stories below. Additionally, here’s a look back at three NYGC staffers reflecting on Women’s History Month in 2021.
Sarah Lesser Avins
Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer
Tell us about your current role at the NYGC.
As SVP and Chief Development Officer for the NYGC, my team and I work closely with Tom Maniatis and members of our board to raise the resources so essential to our success.
What, if any, barriers or challenges have you faced as a woman in your career? How have you overcome them? Do you see examples of progress?
Throughout my career, I have worked with organizations that were and are committed to equality in the workplace. Having said that, like every woman, I have encountered sexism from time to time, and the way that I have handled that is to confront it directly and concretely in real time. I have seen enormous growth and positive change in attitudes and practices concerning women at work. The research is very clear—organizations with a good proportion of women in senior management roles consistently outperform those that don’t, whether in the profit or not-for-profit sectors.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
To me, Women’s History Month means paying attention and not taking the gains that women have made in the workplace for granted. Think of all the progress that hasn’t been made—especially among BIPOC women. Women and their contributions continue to be deeply undervalued—particularly in the Arts, Academia, Politics and especially in STEM. Women continue to be subject to double standards, to be disregarded, and to buy into stereotypes.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Pace your expectations and calibrate them to where you are in your life. Activate and continuously consult with your mentors, especially those that are women. Remember that happiness is wanting what you have—it isn’t about having what other people think you need.
Júlia Domingo
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Lappalainen Lab
Tell us about your current role at the NYGC.
I am a postdoctoral researcher who joined Tuuli Lappalainen’s lab in the fall of 2020. My research involves systematically studying the downstream molecular and cellular phenotypic consequences of gradual changes in gene expression, utilizing a combination of CRISPR and single-cell technologies.
What, if any, barriers or challenges have you faced as a woman in your career? How have you overcome them? Do you see examples of progress?
I was fortunate enough to have a supportive academic environment and did not experience any incidents of harassment or discrimination. However, as a woman in academia, I did face certain challenges. These challenges stem from subtle attitudes and behaviors that are often overlooked or not seen as harmful, but can have a significant impact. For example, I found that I was often automatically assigned to organize social and lab training events, which can be time-consuming and take away from research productivity. Additionally, I felt that my voice and presence were not always as valued in predominantly male meetings. I noticed that men could often speak more aggressively, which created an unequal power dynamic. These behaviors are often unintentional, and the first step to overcoming them is raising awareness and being mindful of them. It can be difficult to speak up about these issues, but it is important to do so in order to create a more equitable and inclusive academic environment.
Another barrier I faced when advancing in my scientific career was finding female role models in science. When I started my PhD, I was advised to identify a female role model, but I found that most of the best teachers and scientists I admired were men. Unfortunately, some of the few women who had reached high and successful positions had adopted overly aggressive or masculine behaviors to succeed in a male-dominated field. I am grateful to have come to work at the New York Genome Center with my supervisor Tuuli, who is not only an incredibly successful scientist but also a kind and respectful mentor who sets a positive example for women in science. I’m also encouraged by the increasing number of female PIs being hired, many of whom are by far the most qualified candidates. This indicates progress and gives me hope that future generations of scientists won’t face the same challenges that I encountered.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
To me, it represents a valuable opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the countless contributions that so many women have made throughout history, as well as the ongoing struggles and barriers that we face. It’s a time to highlight the accomplishments and sacrifices of women who have paved the way for future generations, and to recognize the ongoing work that still needs to be done to achieve true gender equality. Overall, I think Women’s History Month serves as an important reminder of the vital role that women have played, and continue to play, in shaping our world.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
>Be bold and confident. Be helpful and respectful. Trust your critical thinking and morality. Stand up for what you think is right. Be yourself.
Desirae Hubbard
Associate Scientist II, Production Lab
Tell us about your current role at the NYGC.
As an Associate Scientist II in the Production Lab on the sequencing team, I am responsible for processing DNA and RNA libraries on various sequencing technologies, including Illumina NovaSeq 6000 and new technologies. I operate a robotic liquid handling system to perform NGS Library pooling and normalization as well as, carrying out DNA/RNA qualification via fluorometric quantification (Qubit), qPCR (QS5,ViiA), or micro-capillary based electrophoretic detection (Agilent TapeStation).
What, if any, barriers or challenges have you faced as a woman in your career? How have you overcome them? Do you see examples of progress?
Since I was born, I have always been surrounded by strong, inspiring women. I was raised by a single mom who made sure I knew that I could do anything if I put my mind to it. My high school biology/forensic science teacher encouraged me to pursue biology in college. Most of my college forensic classes were mostly women. I started my career working for a company that was extremely diverse and as my career has progressed, I have not encountered any barriers as a woman in STEM. However, my experience is not the norm and it’s important to celebrate women in STEM.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
A time to reflect and celebrate the achievements and contributions of women, past and present, yet taking the time to recognize just how far we still have to go.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t stress over timelines – this is out of your control and you’re exactly where you’re meant to be and don’t ever judge yourself in comparison to others. Instead, judge yourself against what you know you’re capable of. Lastly, embrace change – change is scary, yet so necessary for growth.
Nancy Kong
Director, Finance
Tell us about your current role at the NYGC.
I am the Director of Finance and along with my small but incredible team, we are responsible for all aspects of NYGC’s financial operations. This includes but is not limited to treasury/cash management, vendor negotiations/payments, employee reimbursements, invoicing, monthly and annual financial reports and tax returns, compliance with policies, laws and regs, risk management and accounting system upgrades.
What, if any, barriers or challenges have you faced as a woman in your career? How have you overcome them? Do you see examples of progress?
I grew up in a racially divided, economically depressed and historically underserved and neglected neighborhood in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and at a time where communities were openly pitted against one another, and race and fear were used as weapons. My parents were mocked and told to “learn English” on a regular basis. I had rocks thrown at me while walking down Mulberry Street, as a child. My parents would routinely come back from lunch to find “Go back to China” signs taped to their chairs.
So, I was already desensitized to racial and social divides when I first entered the world of audit and finance. But then I was also introduced to gender divides and pay chasms. My first professional job was with the Federal Government, where it was supposed to be a safe work environment because of affirmative action and other employment laws in place. And then, I went to work for a global big 4 audit firm, that was the gold standard, with progressive employment practices. Yet, I still lived and experienced what we now call unconscious biases, microaggressions and pay inequity.
I was celebrated, because, as the token Asian, I could be used to check off two boxes instead of one for surveys – Asian AND female. I was expected to be proficient in anything math or computer related. At the time, none of my managers were women, so I did not have women role models in that respect. Instead, my role models were the moms toiling in factories, including my own and my aunties who were all balancing full-time jobs as seamstresses, typists (yes, there used to be such a position), waitresses, cooks and as the main caretaker – ensuring a hot meal every night, sewing clothes, doing laundry (without a washer/dryer), and then going to night school to learn English themselves.
I didn’t play golf or have any other things in common with my co-workers at the time, so I kept my head down and just worked really hard. Then one day, someone counseled me in a way that changed the trajectory of my career. I was about to turn down an opportunity that I felt was outside of my comfort zone and realm. He said, “well, you won’t know unless you try.” So, I tried. And then I began to follow my curiosity instead of the “traditional career paths.” It worked. I was promoted as the first woman executive in a c-suite finance role. It was then I realized how important it was to have allies, mentors and role models who challenged my fears, encouraged me to take risks and pushed limits. I looked around and about a third of my colleagues were women then.
Fast forward to today. I was reflecting on the question above and I am a little amazed at how much has changed and how different this environment is from my first, where there are now so many different voices and from every level. Today, I am surrounded by women colleagues who inspire, support, collaborate and motivate.
For me to have the opportunity to speak openly about this is progress. For us to have a platform to address inequities is progress. For women to be in so many management positions at NYGC and who serve as role models today, is progress. But so much more work needs to be done and that is why it is also important that we speak up, we mentor, and we pay it forward.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
It means that we can take a moment to celebrate the heroines who broke the glass ceilings and the giants whose shoulders we stand on, so that we can be the leaders we are today. My today would not be possible without allies, mentors and the women who sacrificed, especially my mom and aunties.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Seek out allies and mentors early. You will get there, you will move that mountain, and do not miss that second mountain, because that is where you will find that space to share joy, wonder and discovery. And eat more vegetables.
Sanja Vicković, PhD
Core Faculty Member and Director, Technology Innovation Lab
Tell us about your current role at the NYGC.
I am a Core Faculty Member and Director of the Technology Innovation Lab at the NYGC. I also hold joint appointments as an Assistant Professor at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Herbert and Florence Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics at Columbia University, as well as a Wallenberg Academy Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences at Uppsala University. At NYGC, I direct the Technology Innovation Lab, which explores completely novel concepts in genomics, biophysics, and chemistry to engineering.
Prior to joining the NYGC, I developed novel methods for spatially resolved transcriptomics and genomics, which enable massive parallel in situ profiling of intact tissue samples. One of my major contributions was the creation of the Visium spatial transcriptomic technology, which has since been commercialized by 10X Genomics, a leading biotech company in gene sequencing technology. My passion for transforming the field of pathology and introducing genomics concepts that directly link tissue histology to gene expression and function drove my interest in spatial genomics.
At the NYGC, my labs focus on developing tools for characterizing missing “biological” measurements and space that cannot be addressed with current methods. Our work centers on comprehensively profiling complex biological ensembles through the development, validation, and scaling of single-cell and spatial multi-omics techniques. We leverage microfabrication, chemical engineering, and accessible imaging systems to enable genome-wide identification of the cell types, states, and microenvironments that comprise (dys)functional biological signatures. Our research investigates how cellular heterogeneity and cell-to-cell communication drive inflammation in different contexts, ranging from host-microbial interactions in the gut to cancer. We collaborate to construct generalizable models that can be experimentally validated, and reverse engineered into scalable in vitro systems.
What, if any, barriers or challenges have you faced as a woman in your career? How have you overcome them? Do you see examples of progress?
As professionals in the field of science and engineering, we encounter numerous challenges. Fortunately, my training took place in highly supportive environments that were inclusive of individuals of all gender identities. This experience has underscored the importance of recognizing our scientific partners as equal contributors. While this can be a challenging process, continuous support through collaborations ensures that conversations and work remain centered around scientific principles, leading to greater benefits from joint efforts. Our lab’s values are deeply rooted in fostering personal and scientific growth in each team member. Nonetheless, I acknowledge that not all environments share the same supportive, transparent, and inclusive qualities. As a lab, we have the autonomy to select our collaborators and engage in ways that align with our values.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Women’s History Month serves as a time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women throughout history and to reflect on the ongoing struggle for gender equality. For me, it is a source of inspiration and empowerment, as it highlights the stories and contributions of women who have broken barriers and paved the way for our generation. It also serves as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to achieve full gender equality, and a call to action to continue fighting for women’s rights and representation.
Women’s History Month can also be an opportunity for women to come together and build a community, to celebrate each other’s achievements, and to support each other in their efforts to make a positive impact in the world.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Believe in yourself and your abilities and continue to follow your passions.
