Career Fair | WinSPIRE

WinSPIRE's Second Annual Career Fair

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

July 18, 2024

9 AM - 1 PM

Click below to register as a:

If you have any additional questions or would like to talk with us, please contact Anca Frasineanu (afrasine@email.unc.edu).

General Information.

The WinSPIRE (Women and underrepresented Genders in STEM Promoting Inclusion in Research Experiences) Organization at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is hosting our second annual STEM Career Fair.

You are invited to participate in a Career Fair at UNC-Chapel Hill hosted by WinSPIRE on July 18, 2024.

Are you looking to make an impact in the lives of high-school students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds? Would you like to make connections with early-career STEM trainees (undergraduates, graduate students, and post-docs) and other UNC STEM community members in the Triangle?

The WinSPIRE Career Fair event will include:

Career Panel Discussions (9:15 AM - 10:15 AM): Led by STEM professionals who identify as a historically marginalized gender in STEM (including women, non-binary, transgender, two-spirit, etc.), we will discuss career paths and day-to-day life in a variety of STEM careers. There will be two simultaneous panel discussions - one for WinSPIRE high school student researchers, and another for early-career trainees and the community.
Career Fair Networking Event (10:15 AM - 12 PM): early-career STEM trainees (undergraduates, graduate students, and post-docs) and other UNC community members interested in STEM careers are invited to network with STEM companies and organizations. Each organization will be provided a space to set up educational and promotional material during the event. We also encourage organizations to advertise available positions they are hiring for.
Lunch (12 PM - 1 PM): FREE LUNCH will be provided to all registered participants.

Meet the Panelists.

General Audience Panel.

All attendees will have the opportunity to hear from the following panelists about their experiences in the STEM workforce. To make the most out of the session, we encourage attendees to prepare questions for the panelists.

Dr. Brooke Lao

Dr. Brooke Lao obtained her PhD in Chemistry from New York University and a Bachelor's from the University of South Carolina. Following graduation, Brooke worked in a startup spin off of her thesis project. Since then, she has gone on to work in a few other startup companies from dermatological prescription topicals to biosimilars and finally settled in big pharma at Pfizer. Her roles have encompassed senior scientists, principal scientist, group lead, and project manager for new product introduction. Brooke relocated back home from NY to NC where she lives happily with her family in Carrboro.

Kelley Lee

Kelley Lee has an MS from Penn State and MBA from Johns Hopkins.  She worked as a research lead for 6 years at HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus.  She is currently a Bioscience Sales Specialist for Nikon Instruments.

Dr. Jiarui Li

Dr. Jiarui Li is a visionary leader in agtech and plant biology. With an MBA and Ph.D. under his belt, he's made significant strides in the industry. From academia to corporate roles at Bayer CropScience and Simplot, he's now the CEO of Innatrix, pioneering eco-friendly solutions for crop protection. To date, Dr. Li has secured over $3 million in funding, published 30+ papers, and holds 2 patents.

Nicole Patterson

Nicole Patterson sits on the Strategy team at 8 Rivers and works across the technology portfolio including clean power, clean hydrogen, and direct air capture. She holds a BSE in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University and is also a graduate of Duke's Master of Engineering Management Program.

WinSPIRE High School Research Program Panel.

As a part of their enriching 6-week research program, the WinSPIRE cohort will attend a Career Panel specifically curated for their education level and interests. Learn more about the WinSPIRE Program here.

Dr. Shannon Speer

Dr. Shannon Speer earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she conducted groundbreaking research on quantifying protein-protein interactions in living E. coli cells under the guidance of Dr. Gary Pielak. Following her doctorate, Shannon transitioned directly into the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on analytical method development for biologics characterization. She is currently at CSL Seqirus, where she is pioneering methods to assess the impact of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) dosing on cell survival and potency. In addition to her full-time role, Shannon is pursuing an MBA to integrate her passion for both business and science.

Esther Kamau

Esther Kamau works as a clean technology analyst at 8 Rivers. She spends her time evaluating financial models and economics for the company's low-carbon projects. Prior to 8 Rivers, Esther worked in Private Equity both within the U.S. and sub-Saharan Africa. She holds a master's degree in finance and data Analysis from Duke University.

Dr. Chiungwei Huang

Dr. Chiungwei Huang currently works as a chemist for Eastman, supporting growth in coatings technology and business. She was an AAAS Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellow at Raleigh News & Observer and has been writing about science and careers in STEM. She also directs Media Engagement for the Journal of Science Policy Governance, improving public accessibility to research. She earned her Ph.D. in physical chemistry from UNC Chapel Hill.

Sanjay Monroe

Sanjay currently works as Scientist II at BD, where she is part of research and development of a point-of-care isothermal amplification assay, focusing on multiplexing and quantitative APA performance of infectious diseases. From performing next gene sequencing for SARS-CoV-2 virus using various technologies to managing clinical trial assays and earning her ASCP certification as Molecular Biology Technologist, Sanjay’s focus has always been to ensure that scientific endeavors are conducted with precision, sustainability, and in adherence to all regulatory and quality standards

STEM Professionals and Company Involvement.

Why should you or your company participate in the WinSPIRE Career Fair?

This is a great opportunity for companies to recruit early-career trainees within the Triangle, and show their commitment to outreach; we will publicize each company’s involvement in this event through our social media (LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.), website, and other local media outlets.

The WinSPIRE Organization.

About the host:

The WinSPIRE Organization hosts an immersive summer research program for local, talented high school students who identify as a historically marginalized gender in STEM. Students receive hands-on experience in a STEM research laboratory and career development and college-prep workshops to help set students up for future success (applying to college, financial aid, etc.). We guarantee financial support for all participants – a stipend competitive to minimum wage – ensuring socioeconomic status is not a barrier to participation.

Since 2017, WinSPIRE has hosted 47 students in labs across the STEM fields at UNC, including Biology, Chemistry, Geology, and Computer Science. Our students have reported having more confidence in having the skills necessary to pursue a STEM career, having an even greater interest in going into a STEM field, and that the program changed their perceptions of people in STEM and the process of doing science in a positive way. Are you interested in becoming involved with WinSPIRE? Find out more here!

Contact Us.

If you have any additional questions or would like to talk with us, please contact Anca Frasineanu (afrasine@email.unc.edu).