Mila Rosenthal, PhD leads the International Science Reserve, teaches at Columbia, and enjoys advocating for the climate in her free time.
Published July 26, 2024
By Nick Fetty Digital Content Manager
Tell us what you do for the Academy.
I run a fairly new initiative, the International Science Reserve (ISR), an open network of scientists and institutions that want to get involved in responding to large, complex, cross-border crises, like climate-linked disasters or the next pandemic. One lesson from COVID was that if a disaster is big enough, people really want to get involved. The ISR is one way to facilitate that involvement, to connect networks, and to encourage a readiness mindset – to be prepared in advance. That’s the idea of a reserve, that can be called into action.
What has — so far — been your proudest accomplishment working for the Academy?
My proudest accomplishment is that the International Science Reserve network is diverse and based on principles of human rights and equity: the network represents over 100 countries and more than half of those are poor and middle-income countries. Responding to a global crisis, we need the full participation of everyone, particularly the people who live in countries that are suffering the worst impacts of climate-related disasters or public health challenges.
We need to make sure that their voices and experience help shape our crisis responses. I’m proud that we’ve designed the International Science Reserve to offer scientists and institutions from less-resourced contexts the opportunity to actively collaborate across borders – and gives them access to the best resources available– so they can help create solutions that take account of how they affect their own communities and countries.
Tell us about your STEM journey. How did you first become interested in science? How did you get to where you are today?
I am a social scientist. My PhD is in anthropology. There’s a funny debate about whether that’s a STEM field or not, sometimes depending on how our research methods and quantitative capacities are applied. My journey to anthropology came from living in Japan and Cambodia in my twenties. There’s a general idea that if you live in a foreign country or are an outsider in a community, that you get to know the society and culture just by being in and around it. But I always wanted to know more.
I was fascinated by the idea that there was a real field of study and methods of analysis to pursue a deeper understanding of how people construct meaning collectively. Then once I started applying what I learned, I realized how important it is for social and behavioral sciences to be part of the investigation of any complex problem that affects humans – that is, any complex problem that matters! – and need to be integrated better with other STEM fields.
Why, in general, are you proud to work for the Academy?
I am constantly impressed by the commitment of the Academy’s staff and leadership to the mission of science for the public good. I appreciate the Academy’s enthusiasm for supporting meaningful scientific and technical progress that contributes to society, while understanding that this also means contributing to important policy issues around standards and uses for new developments.
Why do you think science is so important to society?
Wow, I have nothing original to say on that question! In essence humans don’t exist in society very much without science (and technology) at the most basic level. Without it, we would be pretty much just our animal selves out in the wild. To be fair, sometimes I think that might have been a better outcome, when I look at the environmental and atmospheric destruction that human society has caused, with how we’ve used and misused our science and technology – like the chemistry that brought us plastic! Science is not always good for society and it’s definitely not always better for the natural world and the planet we all have to live on.
Which scientist (or scientists) would you most like to have dinner with and why?
Zora Neale Hurston. Lots of people know her as a great American novelist, but don’t know that she studied anthropology as a graduate student at Columbia University in the 1920s. She originally undertook her study of southern African-American folklore as fieldwork research, then incorporated it into novels like “Their Eyes Were Watching God.”
She was one of the few Black students at Columbia at the time and one of a handful of women there who were pioneers in the new field of anthropology, like Margaret Mead and Ruth Benedict. They were all gifted storytellers, so they were able to communicate their research to wide audiences and open up space for new thinking about race, sex, and gender. That was science with a real impact. I’m inspired by the genius and grit of all of them.
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?
I spend a fair amount of time outside of work the same way I spend at work: trying to figure out how I can help in the struggle against climate change and its impact on people. So outside of work I am a campaigner and I’m part of different groups working on climate issues. I teach a class at Columbia on climate advocacy. Is activism a hobby?
This series provides an opportunity to get up close and personal with the people who power The New York Academy of Sciences.
Published January 9, 2024
By Nick Fetty Digital Content Manager
Tell us what you do for the Academy.
As the Chief Scientific Officer at The New York Academy of Sciences, I lead the scientific development and growth of a diverse range of scientific programs, courses, and initiatives that support scientists-in-training, STEM professionals, as well as engage and educate science enthusiasts. By fostering collaborations among academia, industry, and government I help to drive advances in science and innovation for the betterment of society.
I also champion women in STEM, host thought-provoking conversations with scientific changemakers, and share my expertise through public speaking and writing to emphasize the pivotal role of science in shaping a brighter future for all.
What has — so far — been your proudest accomplishment working for the Academy?
Brooke at the Inaugural Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists, Israel
Undoubtedly, collaborating with billionaire philanthropist and industrialist Sir Leonard Blavatnik to launch the Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists program in the United Kingdom and Israel, offering the largest unrestricted prizes for early-career scientists. This program supports pioneering young scientists doing research in areas such as climate change mitigation, pandemic preparedness, sustainable farming, renewable energy storage, mental health treatments, cybersecurity, and water purification.
It has been incredibly rewarding to help scientists at that critical — and often vulnerable — juncture in their career when they are transitioning from trainee to lead investigator. It’s a time when recognition and funding can have perhaps the greatest impact. I often have the privilege of calling the award recipients to surprise them with the news that they have won. It’s a great day at the office when someone bursts into joyful tears in response to your phone call. Helping others succeed is one of the best ways to leave your mark on the world.
There are also quiet moments, one-on-one with someone, that have made me proud of the work I do. I love to host engaging conversations with dynamite scientists about their latest discoveries, and in doing so hope to elicit in audiences the same awe and wonder that I feel about the science of the world around us. A high school-aged girl approached me during a coffee break at a public scientific symposium that I hosted in London in 2022. She grabbed my elbow and said, “You are so inspirational.” I see every second of my work as an opportunity to be a mentor and role model for aspiring young women who harbor dreams of becoming scientists.
Tell us about your STEM journey. How did you first become interested in science? How did you get to where you are today?
As an undergraduate student at university, I attended a lecture that had a reputation for turning stomachs, so much so that students were advised not to eat breakfast beforehand. Students were not required to take notes, just to watch and listen. What followed was a graphic slide show showing how infectious diseases can ravage the human body.
I left the lecture hall wondering: with all the organisms around us, on us, and inside us, how is it that we wake up essentially “healthy” every day? I was immediately hooked on the field of microbiology. As a graduate student in my native Australia, I studied the organism that causes tuberculosis, to develop a more effective vaccine against this now highly antibiotic-resistant infectious lung disease.
During college and graduate school, there were no female lecturers or women leading research labs in my field. This absence of female role models, mentors, and sponsors in scientific research made it challenging for me to envision a future for myself in the field. Back then, the typical paths for postgraduate research scientists were either securing a tenure-track faculty position at a university, combining research and teaching, or transitioning into the pharmaceutical or medical device industry.
Looking back, I didn’t have the inside scoop on alternative career options for PhD scientists beyond the lab. If I didn’t pursue a traditional academic career path I worried: Would I still be “a real scientist”? Unlike most early-career scientists, I found more satisfaction in writing my research thesis than in conducting bench research. Crafting the narrative, exploring the known and unknown, and revealing how my work contributed to a larger puzzle were my true passions. That was my signal that science communications might be my alternative career path.
I relocated from Australia to New York City in 2001 and joined the Editorial Board of The Journal of Clinical Investigation, a prestigious medical journal. As Science Editor, my responsibility was to identify, evaluate and solicit groundbreaking research from universities for publication. I had to swiftly shift from a niche science expert to a generalist, evaluating the work of fellow scientists and swiftly grasping cutting-edge research and treatments for many different human diseases. It was a remarkable chance to expand my biomedicine expertise, cultivate a global network of expert scientists, build my insider knowledge, and contribute to steering the direction of scientific research in the community, at scale.
As a medical journal editor, I frequented The New York Academy of Sciences, regularly participating in its scientific and medical conferences. I swiftly recognized the transferability of my technical and communication skills to the organization’s mission: bringing together top scientific minds to exchange new information and collaborate on science-based solutions for society’s pressing challenges.
Over a decade ago, I joined the Academy’s staff as the Director of the Life Sciences conference portfolio. Transitioning to the nonprofit sector marked another significant career pivot, my first foray into nonprofit business administration, a world apart from my expertise as a microbiologist. In addition to staying current with science and curating cutting-edge programming, my role expanded to include budget management for a standalone business unit, securing program sponsors and donors, negotiating partnerships and contracts, building and mentoring a team of former academic scientists (including many women), and serving as a spokesperson on various platforms to raise awareness of the Academy’s work.
This unique skill set combined science with business management; a path rarely envisioned at the start of a scientific career. Today, as CSO, on any given day my role might involve advocating for science-based policy changes at the United Nations, meeting with university or company leaders for collaborations, creating social media content celebrating women scientists during Women’s History Month, coaching young scientists on communication skills, or selecting deserving researchers for funding to support their ambitious scientific endeavors.
My scientific career represents a journey along the road less traveled — a shift not just from the traditional path of lab scientist to steering influential, mission-driven scientific initiatives, but also a response to the glaring absence of women role models in STEM, a desire to transition from deep expertise in a niche area to a comprehensive understanding of all facets of science and tech, and the need for trusted voices to challenge scientific misinformation. Once a singular force driving discovery in a niche domain, today as a C-suite leader of a nonprofit, I can empower countless scientists, shaping the collective future of science itself.
Brooke with Mae Jemison, 2017
Why, in general, are you proud to work for the Academy?
The Academy has brought together the leading minds in science to solve global challenges for over 200 hundred years. It’s a true privilege – for this moment in time – to serve as one of the stewards of scientific discovery, dialogue, and dissemination during the Academy’s history.
Why do you think science is so important to society?
Science nurtures our innate curiosity and is the primary tool for understanding the world around us. It transcends borders and cultures and leads to new discoveries and technological advances that improve our quality of life, from medicine to transportation.
Investment in science has led to economic growth and countless inventions that have evolved into products that today we’d all find hard to live without: from camera phones and the computer mouse to water purifiers and wireless headsets, from dust busters to memory foam mattresses. Science is also crucial for addressing environmental challenges like climate change and provides the data and analysis necessary for informed policymaking. The scientific discoveries made today will shape how our world looks over the coming century.
Which scientist (or scientists) would you most like to have dinner with and why?
Here’s who I’d love to have around my dinner table:
At the Pyramids at Giza, Egypt, 2023
One, the legendary naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough. His lifelong dedication to wildlife conservation and environmental advocacy has ignited global awareness and action for the planet’s well-being. And let’s not forget that voice!
Two, astronaut, physician, and engineer Mae Jemison who made history by becoming the first African American woman to travel in space. She was a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Endeavor launched in 1992. I met her at an Academy event in 2017 and had to try very hard not to cry with joy in what was a very special moment meeting an inspirational woman in STEM.
Three, primatologist Jane Goodall for her depth of understanding of chimpanzees and their behavior, and for promoting animal welfare and conservation.
Then, let’s throw in fictional intrepid archeologist Indiana Jones and the always rational, skeptical, and analytical FBI Special Agent Dana Scully from the X-Files. Add me as host, and my dinner table for six is complete!
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?
Travel, travel, travel — for the thrill of discovering new cultures, savoring exotic cuisines, forming connections with people from around the world, and marveling at the beauty and diversity of our planet. I just returned from exploring Egypt. The legacy of Egyptian engineering, seen in the precision of their architectural marvels, serves as a timeless testament to human creativity, innovation and determination.
Sonya Dougal, Senior Vice President of Scientific Programs and Awards, talks about her STEM journey.
Published August 23, 2023
By Nick Fetty Digital Content Manager
Tell us what you do for the Academy.
When I first came to the Academy, I was a program manager on the conferences team. The very first conference that I planned from start to finish was on neural prosthetics, called Building Better Brains: Neural Prosthetics and Beyond, which was funded by the Aspen Brain Forum.
What has — so far — been your proudest accomplishment working for the Academy?
We surveyed our conference attendees about the impact our conference had on their research and career. I think it’s incredible that one-third of respondents changed the course of their research in response to what they learned from our speakers. I’m really proud that our conference programs are impacting the research enterprise in that way. I had the same experience at an Academy conference as a post-doc.
I’m also really proud of the opportunities that the Leon Levy scholarships are providing for neuroscience post-docs in NYC. They receive mentorship from an established scientist in addition to their research PI, they have financial support to care for children or other dependents, and they receive professional development opportunities that will be invaluable no matter what career path they choose. If they stay in academia, it’ll help them set up their lab. If they leave academia, it’s going to help them to find a new job because they’ve been properly prepared. So it’s just been so gratifying for me to be a part of launching this new partnership.
Why, in general, are you proud to work for the Academy?
Well, for one thing, the Academy is a very old and esteemed scientific institution. But it’s an institution that’s changed and grown to meet the challenges in society and in science over the past 200 years. I love that the Academy has risen to the challenge during really important times in history. For instance, we were one of the first organizations to hold a scientific conference on HIV in the 80s when there was a lot of stigma associated with HIV. During COVID, my team presented virtual programming that educated thousands of members of the public on key public health information.
I also think it’s important that we bring scientists together across sectors, disciplines, and stages in their careers. At one of my conferences, there was a line of postdocs and graduate students waiting to meet Jim Allison the year he won the Nobel Prize. There aren’t many venues where, as a young trainee, you can meet your heroes in real life and have a chat with them about a research question.
Tell us your STEM journey. How did you first become interested in science, and how did you pursue it to become who you are today?
I started college as a music major thinking that I would become a professional clarinet player. The thing was, I had performance anxiety—I just hated going on stage. And that made me think about how anxiety impacts performance from a psychological and physiological perspective. So I ended up studying psychology — which hooked me on thinking about the mind – and I found a research lab that was studying skilled memory. I learned that I loved applying the scientific method to pose research questions and collect data as opposed to the subjectivity of music.
I went to graduate school in Pittsburgh where I did behavioral research, and then when I came to NYU for my postdoc, I used brain imaging techniques to study how emotion influences memory formation.
Why do you think science is so important to society?
I believe that most major challenges in society can be addressed by science. And because science is the key to understanding our world from how the universe was formed to the experience of human consciousness.
Which scientist (or scientists) would you most like to have dinner with and why?
Rudy Tanzi, a neurologist at Mass General. He plays piano and I really enjoy talking with him about music, science, and consciousness.
Another person who would be great is Richie Davidson, the cognitive neuroscientist who studied the neural activity of Buddhist monks while they were meditating.
I’d also like to meet Marie Curie because she was the only female scientist to win the Nobel Prize twice. I’d like to trade stories on the challenges of being a female scientist.
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?
Spending time with my son Thomas and my cats Cleopatra and Claudius, going to the beach and gardening on Cape Cod. And I love reading. Nabokov is my favorite author. He was trained as a scientist—he studied butterflies before he became a writer—and his prose is so elegant.
I recently started playing the clarinet again after 20 years and that has brought back a lot of memories and joy.
This series provides an opportunity to get up close and personal with the people who power The New York Academy of Sciences.
Published April 12, 2023
By Nick Fetty Digital Content Manager
Tell us what you do for the Academy.
I coordinate logistics, contact vendors, negotiate contracts, and manage platforms to support internal and external events.
What has — so far — been your proudest accomplishment working for the Academy?
Bringing together different departments to work together to host an Open House event that marked the official opening of the Academy’s new headquarters at 115 Broadway. Marketing helped Meeting Ops with printing and laminating; Meeting Ops supported Development with logistics; and on the day of the event, our executives helped us hang paintings! It was a mix of enthusiastic minds and tireless hands, and that collaboration delivered a successful evening.
Why do you think science is so important to society?
It spreads knowledge and improves education.
Which scientist (or scientists) would you most like to have dinner with and why?
Sir Isaac Newton. He was very shy—so shy that he would not share his findings on gravity! If not for a bet with friends that changed everything from there on, where would we be? I would love to sit down with him and just get him to talk, talk, talk and I would just listen, listen, listen.
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?
I love taking care of myself by spending time at a spa.
This series provides an opportunity to get up close and personal with the people who power The New York Academy of Sciences.
Published April 9, 2023
By Nick Fetty Digital Content Manager
Tell us what you do for the Academy.
In my role as Director of Life Sciences, I’m responsible for supervising a diverse range of scientific symposia, evening events and workshops encompassing the fields of life sciences and public health. My role involves facilitating meaningful connections between academics, industry leaders, non-profit representatives, government officials and various stakeholders to foster innovation in science through the exchange of ideas.
What has — so far — been your proudest accomplishment working for the Academy?
One of the most fulfilling experiences during my tenure at the Academy was orchestrating our inaugural event post-pandemic. After two years of exclusively virtual conferences, the opportunity to reunite stakeholders from across the globe for the Advances in Pain conference was truly gratifying. Being the catalyst for the resurgence of enthusiasm within the scientific community and witnessing the restoration of in-person idea exchange and networking was immensely gratifying.
Why, in general, are you proud to work for the Academy?
I take immense pride in my long-standing tenure with the Academy because we serve as a beacon for the most accomplished and innovative individuals who are dedicated to advancing science, often through unconventional pathways. We are united by a shared aspiration to champion the highest standards for the progression of scientific knowledge.
Why do you think science is so important to society?
Science plays a vital role in society as it drives innovation and technological advancements, improving our quality of life. It helps us understand and address pressing global challenges, from climate change to public health crises. Furthermore, science empowers informed decision-making, fostering a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.
Which scientist (or scientists) would you most like to have dinner with and why?
If given the opportunity, I would like to have dinner with Dr. Paul Farmer, who is now deceased. He was a global health hero who brought medical care to the poor and marginalized. I have been a long admirer of his work pioneering community-based healthcare and championing equity in health care.
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?
I like to spend time with my family, go hiking in the desert, and paint.
This series provides an opportunity to get up close and personal with the people who power The New York Academy of Sciences.
Published January 5, 2023
By Nick Fetty Digital Content Manager
Tell us what you do for the Academy?
In my role, I manage K-12 School & Community Programs in New York City aimed at sharing the joys, relevance and importance of STEM with students.
What has — so far — been your proudest accomplishment working for the Academy?
This past May we had our first in-person Science Student Showcase since the start of the pandemic. We invited students from 25 schools to share what they learned throughout the year and show off their science communication skills. I was so impressed with all the students, and their excitement was contagious. It felt great to be able to be in-person again and seeing the product of a year of work.
You’re a scientist. How did you first become interested in science, and what has been the STEM journey that has brought you to where you are today?
In 5th grade I did a project on Thomas Edison where I built a model of a telegraph machine. It was so cool to learn about his life and all his inventions. I loved the idea of problem solving to make life easier, and it got me interested in how science and technology can do just that.
One of Adrienne’s recent crochet creations
Why do you think science is so important to society?
Science is about asking questions and discovering knowledge, and I think that’s necessary for society to keep moving in a positive direction.
Which scientist (or scientists) would you most like to have dinner with and why?
Marie Curie, because I’m sure she could tell amazing stories about the work the led her to TWO Nobel Prizes, and also stories about what it was like to live life in the 19th century.
What hobbies or interest do you have outside of work?
I like crocheting, watching true-crime TV, and planning my next vacation!
Ben Ragen talks about his work as an editor of Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences and why art inspires him.
Published January 9, 2022
By Nick Fetty Digital Content Manager
In a nutshell, tell us what you do for the Academy?
When I started at the Academy, I helped to administer the Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists. I reviewed nominations, collaborated with expert scientists and worked with the winners to help convey their research to a general audience. I now work as an Editor for our academic journal Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, where I help find reviewers for manuscript submissions, give input on which manuscripts should be considered for publication and copyedit papers to prepare them for publication.
What has — so far — been your proudest accomplishment working for the Academy?
Since I’ve served in two capacities for the Academy, I have two different “proudest accomplishment” answers. During my first year on the Blavatnik Team, I collaborated with Blavatnik Award Laureate Heather Lynch to get her ready to present her research—on the use of satellite machine learning to find Antarctic penguins—to the audience of the National Blavatnik Awards Symposium. I’m really proud of that. And more recently, as an editor, I’m very proud of the first special issue that I conceived and organized, which was on the Biology of Social Behavior. What a thrill for me when the first article of that special issue was published!
Why, in general, are you proud to work for the Academy?
I find the dissemination of science critical for society. This is particularly important in the current environment where there is a high level of science skepticism. I also enjoy seeing the excitement and awe in my friends, family and acquaintances when I tell them about the science I am discovering and reading.
What do you think science is so import to society?
Painting by Ben Ragen
Scientific discoveries have been crucial to improve the health of society. My family, like so many others in the world, have experienced illness and daily life challenges. Whenever someone I know recovers I always say, “YAY SCIENCE!” It’s a way to express my gratitude for all of the work, brilliance and creativity that scientists have brought to the table.
Which scientist (or scientists) would you most like to have dinner with and why?
A dinner with biologist, naturalist and author David Attenborough would be amazing. As he is a fantastic storyteller, I would be able to listen to his incredible journeys observing the natural world, animal interactions and adventures.
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?
I’m a painter and have shown and sold my work in local neighborhood art festivals.
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