“I want to teach students that STEM is for anyone and everyone. Through my academic, teaching, and outreach activities, I want to end the narrative of elitism in STEM and work to make it more inclusive.”

Schinella D’Souza is earning a PhD in Mathematics with a vision of becoming a professor and serving as a mentor and role model for women in STEM. In Schinella’s undergraduate classes in mathematics, statistics, and computer science, she was one of the few women in the lecture halls and also one of the few applying to graduate school. Though this did not come without challenges, with the support of her professors, Schinella persisted and earned admittance to the University of Michigan. The experience only strengthened Schinella’s desire to see more women and other underrepresented minorities enter the field.

At U-M, Schinella is involved in F.E.M.M.E.S. as an outreach coordinator on the executive board, working to encourage young women to sign up for STEM-focused programs and boost the confidence of students considering a career in STEM. She has also served as co-organizer for both the Student Dynamics, Geometry, and Topology Seminar and the Michigan Research Experience for Graduates, participated in the Association for Women in Mathematics mentorship program, and served as an on-call supervisor for Math Corps Summer Camp. Schinella says, “I want to teach students that STEM is for anyone and everyone. Through my academic, teaching, and outreach activities, I want to end the narrative of elitism in STEM and work to make it more inclusive.”

Schinella’s professors describe her as a strong student and creative researcher who is also working to make the world a better place. Ultimately, Schinella plans to become a professor at a university and help to spark and support undergraduate women’s interest in STEM fields, paying forward the mentorship that professors and women in STEM offered to her.

CEW+ celebrates Schinella’s commitment to supporting women in STEM and names her an Irma M. Wyman Scholar.