STEMNOIRE 2024 PLANNING COUNCIL
Dr. Kilan C. Ashad-Bishop (she/her) is a biomedical scientist and advocate for inclusion working at the intersection of science, health, and society. She is a proud alumna of Morgan State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology, and the University of Miami, where she earned her Ph.D. in Cancer Biology. Kilan focuses her transdisciplinary research and service portfolio on the influence of social and environmental factors on cancer disparities.
Guided by a strong belief in the transformative power of equity and inclusion in health, science, and society, Dr. Ashad-Bishop champions the responsibility of science (and scientists) in driving positive social change. In 2019, she co-founded STEMNoire, a research and wellness community that supports and empowers Black women in STEM. With a global reach, STEMNoire has rapidly expanded to serve a vibrant community of 1,500 Black women in STEM education and the workforce, providing resources for holistic wellness, collaborative networking, and personal and professional development.
Dr. Olivia Geneus is a trained physicist, chemist, and nanoscientist. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the State University of New York, at Buffalo where her research focused on developing multi-modal theranostic agents suitable for targeted cancer therapy of Glioblastoma Multiform. Dr. Geneus obtained a dual B.S. in Physics and Public Health from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She remains passionate and optimistic as ever in helping undergraduate and graduate students, especially underrepresented students, transition into their post-academic careers.
Teressa, a plant eco-physiologist currently based in Trinidad and Tobago, is driven by her strong dedication to science, art, and outreach. She is particularly passionate about studying the relationship between plants and their environment, with the aim of applying this knowledge to support conservation initiatives and encourage sustainable practices.
Kilan ashad-Bishop, PHD
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Olivia Geneus, PhD
Chair
Teressa Alexander
Co-Founder & Co-Chair
Tauryn Dargan, MS
Eposi Elonge
India Henry
Tiara V. Hinton, Ph.D.
Sedania Julmis
Sade Luwoye, MS
Quanisha Y. Whittfield, MA, RYT-200
Kristeena Wright, Ph.D.
STEMNoire 2024 Advisory Board
Daphney Chery, PhD
Shelley Gatlin
Malika Grayson, PhD
Kelly Knight
Racheida Lewis, PhD
Shenell Tolson, PhD