Officers

Officers 2018-2019

Shelby Fillinger, President
Sabrina Diemert, Vice President
Maddy McKenna, Secretary
Laura Tipton, Treasurer
Danita Dahl, Outreach Coordinator
Rachael Wade, National Liaison

Shelby Fillinger, President

I am entering the second year of my master’s degree in Civil Engineering. I am a Research Assistant in Geology and Geophysics (GG) on a joint groundwater project. I was born and raised in Maryland where I also completed my undergrad degree. I love trying new things, I spend my free time trying to surf, cooking, and learning Portuguese.

I am interested in becoming the next GWIS President because I want to continue the incredible work being done by this chapter. GWIS is one of the first organizations I got involved in when I began my masters at UH this past fall (2017) and I have grown to love the work GWIS does. As President, I hope to facilitate the planning of great events, for social networking, professional development and community outreach. I want our chapter to continue with all the events the previous LC has worked so hard to create. Sabrina (candidate for VP) and I have been working together to develop goals for the upcoming year. We would like to focus on expanding our chapter in numbers and diversity. Also, we would also like to implement a monthly event, alongside our other events, like meeting for coffee or happy hour so members can meet and build friendships.

Sabrina Diemert, Vice President

I’m entering my third year of my PhD in Civil Engineering, where I am focusing on microbial ecology and emerging contaminants in drinking and wastewater treatment. I’m originally from Canada, and spend most of my spare time reading fiction (ideally on the beach).

One of my passions is connecting people with different skill sets but shared goals; I would love to see a more comprehensive, interdisciplinary network and resources available for UH grad students. GWIS is a great conduit for this type of networking, and I would like to bring my skills to the table as chapter VP (running jointly with Shelby F. as president). We plan to continue the strong foundational events started by the current/previous chapter officers, and add other small events or fundraisers that fit within our local context. Additionally, we would like to draw more members from departments in the social sciences, and hopefully forge more partnerships within the university (for example, with the newly-developing Society of Native Hawaiian Engineers).

Maddy McKenna, Secretary

My name is Madeline, but I usually go by Maddy. As a GWIS Officer (Secretary), my goals are to expand the GWIS community and recruit women across more disciplines, and to plan more monthly events for our members to socialize with one another. I would plan another Distinguished Speaker Luncheon Series for the Fall semester of 2018, and would like to brainstorm similar professional development activities for Spring of 2019. I'm very passionate about fostering a warm and welcoming community for women in the scientific community here at UH. For that reason I would love to be involved as a GWIS Officer and bring my vision to the GWIS Hawai'i Chapter.

Laura Tipton, Treasurer

My name is Laura Tipton and I'm a post-doctoral researcher in the Botany Department. Ever since I was young, I've been both good at and interested in numbers so I have served as treasurer of many organizations ranging from my girl scout troop in elementary school to a student council special committee during undergrad. I have been a member of GWIS for about a year now and have been looking for ways to get more involved, both to support women science after college and encourage younger girls who are interested in STEM fields. As treasurer of GWIS Hawai`i Chapter, I hope to maintain funding for the amazing events that have been started before I joined, including the research and travel grant, and to explore new and fun opportunities for fundraising.

Danita Dahl, Outreach Coordinator

I have been interested in sciences since I was a child due to a fantastic teacher who introduced me to the world of the Amazon Rainforest in third grade. It is because of this that I believe the Experiment with Fun events in which we partner with local libraries to provide an introduction to a variety of STEM fields is an important addition to our outreach over the last year. If re-elected Outreach Coordinator my goals for the 2018/19 year include an expansion of the Experiment with Fun project, continuation of informative luncheons, a leadership communications workshop, two fundraising events, continuation of our involvement with Girls on the Run, a possible poster conference to highlight women in STEM on the island, and more outreach to our sisters on other islands.

Rachael Wade, National Liaison

After serving as a GWIS Hawai‘i Officer for four years, I am excited to pass the torch to the next leaders of our chapter! My goal for the 2018-2019 year is to facilitate a smooth transition to the new officers by writing an officer handbook, facilitating an officer retreat, and continuing to act as a liaison between our chapter and the national GWIS organization.

Officers 2017-2018

Rachael Wade, President
Solange Saxby, Vice President
Georgia Hart, Secretary
Daniela Bottjer-Wilson, Treasurer
Danita Dahl, Outreach Coordinator

Rachael Wade, President

I grew up in Denver, CO, but consider myself a Washingtonian after completing my Bachelors in Biology at Western Washington University. My research interests have always been focused on algae, particularly their relationships with herbivores and other members of the marine community. My doctoral dissertation research focuses on the development and utilization of a photosynthetic sea slug as a novel sampling tool to explore algal biodiversity. In addition to its host utilization, the sea slug is instrumental in exploring the distribution and ecology of the invasive alga Avrainvillea in Hawai‘i.

Since joining the GWIS Hawai'i Chapter as both a member and Vice President in 2012, I have enjoyed the community and opportunities that the chapter affords its members. Now as President, I strive to empower the women who have taken on positions on the Executive Council and continuing to uphold the values and missions of the Chapter by continuing to foster and promote previously established relationships and commitments, as well as embrace and nurture new opportunities.

Solange Saxby, Vice President

I am currently pursuing my PhD in Nutritional Science in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at UH Mānoa. Prior to moving to Hawai‘i, I earned her Bachelors of Science in Microbiology, Human Nutrition, and Food Science/Safety at Colorado State University. With my interdisciplinary background, I hope to bring my research interests together in my dissertation studies. Under the guidance of Dr. Yong Li, I will focus on connecting the effects of pre- and probiotics with mitigating colorectal cancers. As the VP and Chair of the PR Commitee, I hope to create a supportive environment for women scientists to come together in unity.

Georgia Hart, Secretary

I received my B.A. in Biology and Spanish from Grinnell College in Iowa in 2004. Subsequently, I worked as an ethnobotanist in South America, an entomologist on Hawai‘i Island, and then as a middle school science teacher in New York City. My M.S. research at the Univ. of Hawai‘i focused on intergenerational trends in the gathering of wild edible seaweeds on O‘ahu and the antioxidant benefits these seaweeds confer. My PhD work focuses on bear grass, a perennial forest understory herb in the Pacific Northwest. I study the use of this plant in weaving traditions of Native peoples of the PNW and the influence of fire and other environmental factors on its persistence. As GWIS Secretary, I hope to contribute to our goals through my organizational skills and my passion for increasing access to science education among under-represented groups.

Daniela Bottjer-Wilson, Treasurer

I received my PhD in biological oceanography from the University of Bremen, Germany and my main research interests lie in the structure and functioning of planktonic marine microorganisms and their role in the ocean’s carbon and nitrogen cycle. Through my involvement with the Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education at the University of Hawaii since 2009, I have contributed to numerous outreach events with the goal of broadening the participation of underrepresented groups in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields. I had the opportunity to teach middle and high school students about ocean microbes and careers in marine sciences and visited various elementary schools on Oahu and Maui to educate children and their parents about current ocean threats and how they are relevant to their local communities. I joined GWIS Hawaii in June 2014 and have since then served as the Public Relations Committee Chair. As the chapters’ new treasurer, I have the goal to continue to contribute to the chapter’s mission and help build our membership. I envision that our chapter provides a supportive and collaborative environment for women scientists in Hawaii and is inspiring to girls and women interested in pursuing a science career.

Danita Dahl, Outreach Coordinator

I left my home town, Flower Mound, Texas to join the U.S. Army in 2000. I served for eight years, and worked in the private sector for a while before starting my collegiate career in Animal Science. I received my B.S. in 2016 with a major in pre veterinary Animal Science, but also minoring in both Chemistry and Fish & Wildlife. I have a passion for the ocean, and while I was attending undergrad in Oregon State University did a short stint in Antarctica in a study abroad program to explore the biodiversity of seabirds along latitudes toward the south pole. I am currently a Masters candidate with a focus on increasing local food production. My thesis work is in regards to culturing local copepods for use as first-feed for shrimp larvae.
I am new to the GWIS organisation, but as outreach coordinator I am driven to increase awareness of opportunities for girls and women in graduate level STEM fields. By working together, we can achieve a great many things!