UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center Magazine Fall 2015 | Page 3
WOMEN in
SCIENCE
Senior Leaders of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center
By JOSH TILL and HIL ARY ME ARES
In the United States today, women are better represented in the workforce than ever before. According
to the U.S. Department of Labor, women comprise nearly half of the total U.S. workforce at 47 percent.
In recent years, more than half of the bachelor’s degrees awarded in all academic fields – 57 percent –
were earned by women.
One area of concern, however, is the lack of
women in STEM fields – Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics. For example, statistics
show that women make up only:
n 39 percent of chemists and material scientists
n 27.9 percent of environmental scientists
n 15.6 percent of chemical engineers
n 12.1 percent of civil engineers
n 8.3 percent of electrical engineers
Furthermore, recent data shows that only around
double from that of 1993.
team, almost
half are women,
and all are
The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center has a
longstanding tradition of diversity among its faculty,
staff and particularly its leadership. Of the Cancer
brilliant, talented
scientists who
Center’s senior leadership team, almost half are
women, and all are brilliant, talented scientists who
are leaders in their fields and bring unique talents and
are leaders in
their fields and
expertise to
trending upward. In the last decade, the number
and learning how they came to UAB and how they
related fields has risen to almost 50 percent. Women
C E N T E R
and environmental scientists were women – more than
leadership
Magazine, we introduce you to each of these six
of women receiving doctorate degrees in STEM-
C A N C E R
sciences. In 2010, 48 percent of biological, agricultural
26 percent.
While these numbers are low, they are fortunately
C O M P R E H E N S I V E
Center’s senior
among women has been strongest in the biological
bring unique
women, and in Alabama, that number is even lower –
U A B
occupations, up from 23 percent in 1993. Growth
expertise to their work at the Cancer Center.
32 percent of physicians in the United States are
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Of the Cancer
now comprise 28 percent of all workers in STEM
In this issue of UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center
women. We hope you enjoy getting to know each one
are meeting the challenges of leading the way in the
talents and
their work at the
Cancer Center.
fight against cancer.
# K N O W U A B C C C
•
U A B . E D U / C A N C E R
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