Our Purpose
AWIS is a national advocacy organization championing the interests of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. By breaking down barriers and creating opportunities, AWIS strives to ensure that women in these fields can achieve their full potential.
Our Mission
Foster the personal and professional skills of women so they can become leaders in their field
Support women at all stages of their career through career development workshops, networking opportunities, social gatherings, and specific mentoring programs
Promote a collegial environment where women from different disciplines and employment sectors feel confident to share their experience, advice, and expertise for the benefit of all members
Cultivate the next generation of women in science to be confident and ready to pursue their full potential
Our Chapter Leadership
Alexa is a molecular biologist working on the discovery and innovation team at Rampart Bioscience. She holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from City of Hope and a B.S. in Biochemistry from UCLA. While at City of Hope, she initiated the first student-organized graduate research symposium, which is an ongoing event that brings together Ph.D. and Masters students in the SoCal area to share their biomedical research. Alexa has been involved with AWIS for many years, evolving into different roles and watching the Chapter change and grow. Through AWIS she hopes to foster a diverse network of women scientists in the LA/Ventura area by hosting relevant and engaging events and promoting a community of openness and learning.
Sarah is a scientist working on preclinical research at Atara Biotherapeutics. She is leading a CAR T cell therapy development project with the goal of transforming cancer patients’ lives. Sarah graduated from UCLA with B.S. in Biochemistry and minor in Mathematics, CSUF with M.S. in Biology, and Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences at City of Hope National Medical Center with Ph.D. in Biology. She has been involved in AWIS since 2017 and is supporting AWIS LA/Ventura County committee members in organizing events.
Karina Lalwani is a recent STEM MBA graduate from the Keck Graduate Institute at Claremont Colleges. She acquired her B.Sc. from Maastricht University in the Netherlands, where her research focused on 3D bioprinting renal in vitro models using stem cells. She has a passion for combining business and science to advance innovations that can help patients in need. She manages the social media pages and is an engagement chair. Her hobbies include content creation, weightlifting, and cooking.
Karineh Petrossian, Ph.D., is Director of Development in Philanthropy Communications at City of Hope Medical Center. She earned her B.S. and M.S. from California State University, Northridge and her Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from the Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences at the City of Hope. In her current role, she prepares scientific communications between physicians or researchers and philanthropists. Karineh joined AWIS to help foster professional development of women in STEM.
Lining is a scientist working for the collaboration of Western University of Health Sciences and its startup TesoRx Pharma. She works on preclinical and clinical projects to facilitate development of anti-cancer small molecule candidates. Lining was a trained immunologist during her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Southern California and City of Hope. She graduated from Clemson University with a doctoral degree in microbiology. Lining has served as VP of Comminucations at AWIS LA/VC from 2017 to 2019. As co-president, she would like to strengthen relationships with local STEM organizations to benefit members. In her spare time, Lining loves exploring national parks and different cultures around the world.
Shannon is a Medical Writing Manager with the Global Publications team at Amgen. She received her B.S. in Biotechnology from Beijing Normal University in China and earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Wesleyan University. Shannon was a steering committee member of the Wesleyan Women in Science (WesWIS) where she initiated and organized career development events. As a business development associate at BioCT (Biosciences incubator of Connecticut), Shannon planned and coordinated statewide programs that facilitated partnership between academia and biotech/pharma industry. As the VP of Programming at AWIS LA/VC, Shannon is committed to build strong programs that truly offer value to the members and strengthen the AWIS local community.