One of Westridge’s new electives this year, Women in STEM Careers, gives students a valuable opportunity: the chance to meet and learn directly from women—many of them Westridge alums—working in a wide range of STEM fields! In fields where women are still significantly underrepresented, these conversations matter. According to the National Science Foundation, women constitute 35% of the STEM workforce—and earn less than men in STEM occupations. Latina, Black, and Native American women represent less than 10% of the STEM workforce overall.

The course hinges on the belief that hearing firsthand from women who have earned advanced degrees in and forged careers in STEM will help students envision themselves pursuing STEM in college and beyond and expose them to the broad range of careers within these fields.

Dr. Marika Schulhof ’07, an aquatic ecology researcher who holds a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology from UC San Diego, shared with the class that her educational and career trajectory was shaped during her time at Westridge. Dr. Tracey Tromp, a former Upper School teacher, introduced her to research and piqued her interest in pursuing biology as a career. Following in Dr. Tromp’s example, Dr. Schulhof attained a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology from UC San Diego, currently consulting government and public sector clients.

She is also now setting an example for current Westridge students! Amanda S. ’26, a senior remarked, “As a student going through the college process and not being completely sure what I want to pursue as a career, [her] story about finding your passion by following different paths like working at the Great Barrier Reef was very inspiring.”

To date, guest speakers have included:

● Dr. Morgan Cable, aerospace projects at JPL, now a professor at the Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand

● Dr. Adrienne Jo ’15, working for venture capital firm Palo Santo Fund, which funds pharmaceutical research

● Dr. Clare Sherman ’07, veterinarian

● Dr. Julie Sinclair ’07, Sr. Advisor – Protomer Technologies at Eli Lilly and Company

● Dr. Marika Schulhof ’07, aquatic ecology researcher

Leah Soldner-Garcia ’20, Chemical Engineering Ph.D. candidate at MIT Upper School Science Teacher Dr. Edye Udell first came up with the idea for this elective while leading a STEM-focused Westridge Discovery Week trip three years ago, during which four women scientists met virtually with students. In advance of each speaker, students research the guest speaker’s background and field of work and prepare questions for the meetings.

According to Udell, students discover in the class that career paths are rarely linear—and that curiosity, courage, and openness often shape the most fulfilling journeys.

After graduating from Westridge, Leah Soldner-Garcia ’20 ventured into the field of STEM, earning a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Caltech. “Westridge was a very rigorous academic environment that helped me develop my intellectual skills and a good work ethic. I was never in a situation where I wanted to try or do something where I was told I shouldn’t,” said Soldner-Garcia. She discussed her previous work experiences and the careful thought process that led her to pursue a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from MIT with the class, and how she plans to pursue research development in the battery industry—a field in which women are widely underrepresented, but in which she hopes to be a leader.

“Beyond an introduction to working in STEM, this elective also empowers students to imagine bold futures, ask big questions, and step confidently into spaces where their voices and talents are needed,” said Udell.

DID YOU KNOW? Dr. Udell is this year's Southern California Local Section American Chemical Society (SCALACS) chair. SCALACS includes around 2,700 chemists, chemical engineers, and chemical technicians with just under half involved in academia.