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Women in STEM Research

Research Emphasis

School of Health Sciences

The mission of WiSR is simple and comprehensive: to advance the careers of women passionate about scientific research.

Women in STEM Research (WiSR) immerses students in cutting edge research throughout a four-year program, leading to graduates with the skills, knowledge, and professional capacity to pursue research careers in the animal sciences, human health & medicine, and foundational sciences.

Program Features

Four years of intensive and purposeful study of the scientific research process through immersion as a practicing scientist.
Work side-by-side with faculty mentors and peers as you develop the key skills and aptitudes required of research scientists.
Conceive, design, execute, and communicate the results of your own research projects.
Benefit from a unique curriculum tailored to your career aspirations.

About WiSR

WiSR is a collaborative effort among the Life Science and Equestrian Programs at Stephens College and the Metagenomics Center at the University of Missouri. The program engages students in four years of intensive and purposeful study of the scientific research process through immersion as a practicing scientist.

WiSR students begin by conducting research on the relationship between diet, the gut microbiome, and horse health at our Equestrian Center and the Metagenomics Center at Mizzou. As they progress, students take on increasing levels of ownership and design a research project of their own to complete in their junior and senior years. Everyone starts at the stables, but where you go is up to you.

Students enrolled in the program work side-by-side with faculty mentors and their peers as they develop the key skills and aptitudes required of research scientists, participating in, and leading, all aspects of their research experiences, including conceiving, designing, executing, and communicating the results of their own research projects.

WiSR students benefit from a unique curriculum tailored to their career aspirations and from professional development opportunities not available to all students.

Program Goals

Identify students interested in research careers at college entry.
Develop skills and provide experiences key to advancement in research careers.
Nurture and mentor students through multiple research projects leading to completion of publication quality research projects.
Place students in their primary choice for graduate, veterinary/animal-science, or human health professional programs.

Stephens’ Small Class Advantage

Faculty who know you can better personalize your curriculum path, help you make connections, give referrals and recommendations, and answer questions about your graduate school applications.
Research opportunities are available even for first-year students.
Small class sizes make for interesting class discussions within an environment that welcomes questions.
Students have more opportunities to take on leadership roles.
Studying science at a women’s college has a specific advantage: Why STEM students choose women’s colleges