Cancer cells are deadly because malignant cells fail to adhere to neighbor cells, allowing metastatic spread. Henderson and other women scientists at Georgetown have made significant strides and gained the kind of recognition and support for their work that would have been inconceivable 25 years ago at many U.S. universities. But even today, the dearth of women science faculty at U.S. colleges and universities is a national issue. By the time many women scientists receive their Ph.D.'s, equality already is out of balance, with the number of available male candidates clearly outweighing the number of women in most scientific disciplines, says Tim Snyder, Wright Family Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and formerly dean of science. A lot of our scientists are concerned with the situation.
Awareness is a first step and it's a critical step.
To combat these sobering statistics, U.S universities, including Georgetown, have recently initiated efforts to recruit, retain and promote more women science faculty. Additionally, the university's Sony Scholars program pays attention to the education of women and minorities in the sciences, says Snyder, and Clare Boothe Luce-endowed professorships have brought esteemed women scholars to the faculty, including associate chemistry professor Janice Hicks .