Middle Schoolers Inspired by Visitor on International Women’s Day

March 26, 2018

A NEOMED scientist celebrated International Women’s Day March 8 by visiting middle school students at Bio-Med Science Lower Academy, the STEM school affiliated with NEOMED. Through her presence and her personal stories, Denise Inman, Ph.D., assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences at NEOMED, gave them a first-hand example of a successful woman working in a STEM field.

Dr. Inman revealed a love of puzzles with the students—and explained how this led her to medical research. Dr. Inman began college knowing she liked to play detective, and she discovered that medical research is the ultimate problem-solving field. These days, Dr. Inman’s schedule includes not only research but also directing NEOMED’s Integrated Pharmaceutical Medicine graduate program.

Dopamine and career dreams

Students got excited when Dr. Inman started talking about her work with the brain and specifically her glaucoma research. The middle schoolers asked questions ranging from why her lab coat was white to how dopamine levels in the brain differ for people with certain mental disorders. The NEOMED researcher made an impression on the students, who left the room talking to each other about what they might do in the future.

Dr. Inman appeared with women representing a range of careers: Sara Kline, mayor of Stow; Denise Hobart, creator of Ohio’s only dedicated flight and aeronautics college, American Winds; and NEOMED police officer Kelly Dibona. The day’s event was organized by the girl empowerment program Dynamic Darlings, which began through NEOMED’s Health Professions Affinity Community (HPAC) program.

Amber Cocchiola, a senior at Bio-Med Science Academy and an intern in the Office of Marketing and Communications, contributed to this report.