CHOP Women in STEM Talk Research, Resilience, and Reframing Challenges

Women at CHOP are inspiring and innovating the future of pediatric research.

Women have made history at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia since the Research Institute's earliest days of scientific discovery. In 2025, CHOP's community of women scientists and staff continue this legacy by making breakthroughs, mentoring colleagues, and ensuring that the future of children's health remains bright.

This Women's History Month, we asked leaders of each CHOP Research Institute Center of Emphasis to nominate an individual who exemplifies excellence and inspiration as a woman in STEM. Each nominee filmed a short video sharing their advice for aspiring scientists and described their work. We summarized their words and wisdom in this blog but invite you to watch the full playlist of CHOP Women in STEM videos for even more inspiration. Looking for even more advice? Check out our 2024 Women in STEM gallery.

Anahita Fathi Kazerooni, PhD

Build Resilience

Anahita Fathi Kazerooni, PhD
Assistant Professor, Center for Data Driven Discovery in Biomedicine

Research focus: Implementing AI solutions for diagnosing and prognosing pediatric brain tumors using medical images and multimodal data.

"I (…) come from a culture where women have learned to be resilient, to create their own opportunities when none is given, and thrive despite limitations. So, to my fellow women in STEM, build resilience, keep pushing forward, and know that you belong here. You deserve to succeed, no matter who tries to tell you otherwise."

Watch Dr. Kazerooni's full video.

Caroline Diorio, MD

Find Your Community

Caroline Diorio, MD
Pediatric Oncologist, Center for Childhood Cancer Research

Research focus: Studying immunotoxicities associated with CAR T cells and the application of CAR T cells in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

"Find the team of people that you want to work with, and lean on your community to do the best work that you can all do together."

Watch Dr. Diorio's full video.

Ceylan Tanes, PhD

Find a Good Mentor

Ceylan Tanes, PhD
Bioinformatics Scientist, Center for Microbial Medicine

Research focus: Investigate the bacteria that live on our bodies and research their impact on our health.

"My advice to those interested in pursuing a career in STEM is to find a good mentor, one that can offer not only guidance but also encouragement and support."

Watch Dr. Tanes' full video.

Danielle Cullen, MD

The Most Effective Driving Force is Passion

Danielle Cullen, MD
Assistant Professor, Clinical Futures

Research focus: Studying the integration of social care into medical care.

"Successes and disappointments are normal and expected parts of your research career, but as long as you remain true to what motivates you, using that as your north star, you'll be sure to persevere despite any challenges, and you'll find amazing partners along the way."

Watch Dr. Cullen's full video.

Holly Burnside

Find Your Pathway and Be Proud of It

Holly Burnside
Program Manager, PolicyLab

CHOP focus: At CHOP Research, Holly oversees a grant writing team that supports investigators and manages a series of pilot grant programs.

"A piece of advice that I would offer to aspiring women in STEM is to consider a range of career pathways. There are a lot of ways to be a STEM ally, even if you're not, for example, working in a lab. My area of research development, for example, has grown a great deal in the past 15 years or so."

Watch Holly's full video.

Maria Lemma

Embrace Your Curiosity

Maria Lemma
Lab Manager, Center for Applied Genomics (CAG)

CHOP focus: At CHOP Research, Maria manages the core service labs at CAG, using her expertise in genotyping thousands of individuals and families spanning a wide range of genotypes and phenotypes, such as type 1 diabetes, autism and obesity.

"Don't be afraid to make mistakes; instead, see them as opportunities and stepping stones on your path toward success."

Watch Maria's full video.

Rachel Myers, PhD

Be Revelatory to Finding Your Way

Rachel Myers, PhD
Associate Director, Center for Injury Research and Prevention and Co-Director, Center for Violence Prevention

Research focus: Investing the causes of intentional and unintentional injuries to children and adolescents as well as evaluating and disseminating programs and practices that may prevent those injuries and support recovery. 

"Be comfortable reframing what makes you seem different. Instead of differences to be minimized, these are the unique skills and perspectives that you bring to your role and your work."

Watch Dr. Myers' full video.