College of Science: How has being a woman impacted your experiences as a scientist? Have you faced particular challenges, or opportunities? Is there anything you wish were different about your own experience in science, or how other woman in STEM fields are treated?

Amber Stuver: During the first week of one of my classes in graduate school, the professor said to the whole class that he was surprised by the number of women that were admitted, because most of us would ultimately get married, have babies, and leave the field, he said. Mind you, maybe 25% of my incoming graduate class members were women, and he thought that was too many.

I shrugged it off because getting upset wouldn't do much for me. I resolved to simply prove him wrong. What was really heartening to me is how outraged my male friends were that a professor would say such a thing! Really, they were so much more upset than I was, and it went a long way to making me feel better. After all, that professor was on the verge of retirement and my friends were my future colleagues. I knew this behavior would not be as tolerated in the future.

Most of the time, being treated differently because I am a woman is much more subtle. Men have tried to silence me by criticizing everything I say and then trying to make it look like I am having hysterics when I defend myself. I don't even think that all the men who have done this to me realize what they are doing; I think it is ingrained in our society.

Other examples of ingrained behavior happen in all parts of society, like when assertive women are seen as being "bossy" (and I am censoring myself here) while the same attributes in men are seen as being "strong." I deal with this by managing the people around me. I won't be viewed in a favorable way if I come across as bossy so I have developed a personality that is very congenial. This is genuine (I really do like being nice and making people happy) and tends to make people want to cooperate with me. But if it is important and I am not being heard, I will absolutely stand up for myself and not care one bit what other people think of me.

College of Science: What advice do you have for other woman in STEM?

Amber Stuver:

1: Don't see yourself as different. That is putting yourself at a disadvantage. That also means not expecting ANY special treatment, good or bad. Don't expect things to be handed to you, but also don't let people dismiss you.

2: Treat others fairly. I try very hard not to treat women differently than men and not to treat people who are different from me in other ways differently.

3: Make change where you can, but recognize when there is nothing you can do. If there is nothing you can do to change a situation, don't let the experience change how you see yourself.

4: Make GOOD friends. I don't mean friends who are like you in gender or race. I mean friends who will support you as you support them. There is no reason that a man cannot stand up for what is right for me as a woman. Distancing yourself from others doesn't affect change.

Also, beware of the Imposter Syndrome. This is a well-known phenomenon where someone who is a high achiever believes that they are going to be "found out" as a fraud even though there is no evidence to support it. I fight this battle with myself all the time. Even though I have a list of cool things I have done, I can convince myself that it was accidental and eventually it is all going to come out that I don't belong. This isn't something that just affects women or minorities. Everyone I've talked to about this has experienced it. Watch out for it and recognize it for what it is: insecurity and self-doubt. That doesn't make it true.

College of Science: Who is your science role model?