Womxn in EAS: Fostering Connection and Belonging
About Us
Womxn in EAS (WiEAS) is a division-wide initiative at Caltech designed to support graduate students and postdocs in their academic and professional journeys. Recognizing the diversity within our community, we warmly welcome trans women, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals who may benefit from this femme-centered space. Our goal is to unify womxn across different EAS options, fostering interdisciplinary connections and shared experiences.
Background
WiEAS was founded at the end of 2020 by Heather Lukas, Jacqueline Tawney, Niyati Desai, and Prachi Thureja. They were motivated by a desire to provide a supportive network that transcends departmental boundaries, especially in smaller EAS departments lacking such groups. Early activities included hosting womxn's panels during EAS option visit weekends, which notably increased the enrollment of womxn-identifying graduate students at Caltech.
Our Vision
We strive to strengthen the academic and professional development of our members, advocate for inclusivity within the Caltech community, and extend our impact to the greater Pasadena area through outreach. Our activities are designed to:
- Facilitate networking and community building across EAS through events such as coffee hours with faculty and social outings in the LA area.
- Enhance professional skills through academic seminars and practical workshops.
- Promote STEM engagement among future generations via community outreach.
Leadership Board
Staff and Faculty Contacts
Community and Events
We maintain a vibrant community through our Slack workspace and mailing list, which serves as the hub for announcements and central communications. We also coordinate with other women's organizations such as Gender Minorities & Women in PMA, Women in Chemistry, Women in BBE, and Women in GPS within Caltech for larger, community-wide events and initiatives. Feel free to reach out if your club would be interested in organizing events together!
Join Us
If you are part of the EAS community at Caltech and looking to engage with a dynamic network of supportive peers, Womxn in EAS is your platform to connect, grow, and make a difference. Join our mailing list or Slack channel to keep up to date with our events, or email Ellis ([email protected]) and Kristina ([email protected]) with "WiEAS Leadership" in the subject line to get involved in leadership and join the steering committee!
Social Media Handles
Mailing list: [email protected]
Events
WiEAS Steering Committee Alums
- Alexandra Baumgart (MCE, Staff Scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Lab)
- Heather Lukas (MedE, Startup)
- Niyati Desi (GALCIT, Postdoc at JPL)
- Jacqueline Tawney (GALCIT)
- Xueyue (Sherry) Zhang (APh, Assistant Professor at Columbia)
- Elizabeth Qian (CMS, Assistant Professor at Georgia Tech)
- Annette Boehme (APh, Sustainability Architect at Trumpf in Germany)
- Hannah Manetsch (APh, Graduate Student Caltech)