Women in STEM 2024: Elizabeth Bhoj, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Center for Cellular and Molecular Genetics

I'm Dr. Elizabeth Bhoj. I'm an assistant professor here at Children's Hospital Philadelphia in the Division of Human Genetics. I've been working here since about 2018 as a professor studying Human Genetics, specifically pediatric rare disease, and how our genetics can influence our development and how it can cause different rare disorders such as those that affect the cranium facial system or neurologic system.

I think that if I was going to give one piece of advice for women in STEM, it would be to really take a hard look at things that are biggest interest to you and what you're most passionate about and really focus on those. Sometimes it can be really difficult because we don't always get a lot of messaging from the media saying that it's possible for women to get advanced in their careers in STEM or we don't see a lot of role models in the general public for women that have leadership roles in STEM, unlike here at CHOP.

But I would really say, you know, focus on what's the most interest to you and keep going even if it might be difficult. And even if you're getting subtle or not so subtle messages from other people that that's not an area that you belong in. Because as long as you are doing something that makes you happy, at least that you will know that that's at least one person. And I just want to say good luck to everyone out there finding their way in the STEM field.