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News & Press: Empower

Empower February 2026

Sunday, March 22, 2026   (0 Comments)
  • People • Purpose • Pathways
GWIS EMPOWER showcases members' stories, leadership pathways, and key updates from the GWIS community.
February, 2026


Nominations Now Opens!


GWIS EMPOWER highlights the people behind the science – members whose paths reflect purpose, resilience, leadership, and impact. Whether it's a defining moment, a challenge overcome, or a commitment to uplifting others, these stories inspire our community and make excellence feel reachable.

We invite self-nominations and peer nominations from across all career stages and disciplines.
 
Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis and may be featured in a future issue


World Cancer Day:  Advancing Equity in Breast & Ovarian Cancer Research

Awareness Tie-In: February 4 – World Cancer Day
Source: World Health Organization

Breast and ovarian cancers continue to disproportionately affect women worldwide, yet access to early detection, molecular testing, and targeted therapies remains uneven. In recognition of World Cancer Day, global health leaders are emphasizing precision medicine, equitable access to screening, and survivorship research as urgent priorities.

Recent advances in immunotherapy, PARP inhibitors, and genetic risk stratification are reshaping care pathways—but disparities persist across geography, race, and socioeconomic status. Researchers and policymakers are increasingly calling for expanded clinical trial diversity and stronger implementation science to ensure breakthroughs reach all women.

For GWIS members working in biomedical, translational, or public health research, this moment underscores the importance of inclusive research design and sustained investment in women-centered oncology innovation. Link

Registration is now open for SCIENCE TALK ‘26, the 10th annual conference of the Association of Science Communicators. At ASC, we believe that science is a human right. Connecting the multifaceted world of science communicators is critical for building a strong and knowledgeable society. 
 
SCIENCE TALK ’26 is taking place as a hybrid conference. Virtual sessions begin the week of March 9. The in-person conference is March 26-27 in Portland, Oregon, with real-time online participation. Conference registration is now open! We are also accepting abstracts for the poster/art session and applications for travel awards to help offset the cost of attendance. Early-bird registration closes Jan 31, so register now for the early-bird discount.
 


Empower Feature | Rewriting the Rules of Equality in STEM

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science celebrates the transformative contributions of women across research, engineering, and innovation. This year’s observance highlights mentorship, leadership representation, and the need to close persistent funding and publication gaps. While women now represent a growing share of early-career researchers globally, senior leadership positions and grant funding equity remain areas of concern. Institutions are encouraged to strengthen mentorship pipelines, transparent promotion criteria, and inclusive research cultures. GWIS proudly joins the global community in reaffirming that scientific excellence thrives when women are visible, supported, and empowered at every stage.

Source: United Nations – “Science for Inclusive Feature for Women and Girls.”
Image source: Adobe Stock/jittawit.21


Empower Insight | Who Gets Penalized in Scienceand Why It Matters

Scientific integrity is essential, but how accountability plays out is not always gender-neutral. This Nature analysis explores an intriguing trend: women scientists retract papers at lower rates than men. Rather than implying fewer errors, the article raises deeper questions about risk-taking, scrutiny, and the unequal consequences of mistakes in academia. The piece invites reflection on how professional penalties, reputational risk, and confidence intersect with gender, particularly in high-stakes publishing environments. For early- and mid-career researchers, this article sparks important conversations about fairness, transparency, and how institutional cultures shape scientific behavior.
Source: Nature- “Women seem to retract fewer papers than men — but why?”
image credit: Westend61/Getty


GWIS EMPOWER | SCHOLARSHIP & RESEARCH RECOGNITION OPPORTUNITY

 

 

Your Research Has Its Rewards: Science & PINS Prize in Neuromodulation

GWIS members conducting innovative research at the intersection of neuroscience, engineering, and clinical medicine are encouraged to apply for the Science & PINS Prize in Neuromodulation, a prestigious international award recognizing fundamental and translational research in neuromodulation. This prize honors scientists whose work advances our understanding of human health and disease, or guides the development of therapeutic interventions through neuromodulation. Applicants are invited to submit a 1,000-word essay describing research conducted within the last three years. The Grand Prize winner receives $25,000, along with publication of their essay in Science magazine and online. A runner-up will also receive $5,000 and also have their work published online, offering exceptional visibility within the global scientific community. This opportunity is ideal for researchers seeking both recognition and a platform to showcase the broader impact of their work.

Deadline: March 15, 2026
Apply here

🌟 GWIS EMPOWER | Global Research Opportunity

NOMIS & Science Young Explorer Award

The NOMIS Foundation & Science Young Explorer Award recognizes bold, early-career researchers pursuing innovative, interdisciplinary research that challenges conventional boundaries. Designed to support visionary scientists at pivotal stages of independence, the award celebrates high-risk, high-reward ideas across the life sciences, social sciences, and emerging interdisciplinary fields. In addition to financial support, awardees gain international visibility through Science and global recognition within the research community.

This opportunity is particularly well-suited for GWIS members who are building independent research trajectories and whose work bridges disciplines or introduces transformative methodologies.

If your research pushes beyond traditional silos and aims to answer fundamental questions with societal impact, this award is worth serious consideration. Click here to apply 

GWIS Webinar Spotlight | Exploring the Frontiers of Computational Science

Join GWIS for an inspiring webinar featuring Dr. Karen E. Willcox, Director of the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin, and recipient of the 2025 Florence R. Sabin Research Excellence Award. Dr. Willcox will share insights from her pioneering work at the intersection of mathematics, computing, and aerospace, highlighting how computational innovation is transforming scientific discovery and engineering practice. This conversation offers a unique opportunity to learn from a leader whose work bridges theory and real-world application, and whose career exemplifies excellence in interdisciplinary science.

📅 Wednesday, February 25
🕚 11:00 AM EST
🔗 Register via the QR code


Want to connect on-line with other women scientists? Join the GWIS Slack channel. GWIS also has a private LinkedIn group for connecting with nearly 2,000 women scientists to share interesting news, job opportunities, and more! Want to form a small group? Contact the GWIS Media group to access our private forums and help you solicit fellow GWIS participants!

Get Involved with GWIS!

Support and be part of a growing network of women scientists.

Join or Renew

About GWIS

Founded in 1921, Graduate Women in Science is an inter-disciplinary society of scientists who collectively seek to advance the participation and recognition of women in science and to foster research through grants, awards and fellowships. We comprise over 20 active chapters of more than 800 women who are "United in Friendship through Science" to support and inspire member professional goals and mutual appreciation of science. Learn more at www.gwis.org.

Contact GWIS

244 Fifth Avenue, Suite #1825
New York, NY 10001
www.gwis.org

President
Brooke Long-Fox

GWIS Media Editor
Veena Prasad

GWIS Empower Editor
Faizah Alabi
 

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