Her Story
About Judith
I've been in the field of chemistry for 7 years now, driven by my interest in pharmaceuticals and the makeup of drugs. I completed my bachelor's in chemistry in 2020, and then came to the United States to pursue my master's degree in chemistry, which I'm graduating with this month. As a graduate teaching and research assistant, I teach about 36 undergraduate students each semester in chemistry and biochemistry, helping them understand complex concepts and making it more interesting for them to build their interest in science. I also assist students with their research work, explaining how instruments work and training them. Beyond my teaching role, I volunteer with the American Chemical Society as a K-12 teacher in New Jersey. I'm currently considering offers and roles from industries, and I look forward to becoming an analytical chemist who can contribute to the field of health and chemistry. My areas of expertise include analytical chemistry, quality control, and pharmaceutical chemistry.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Judith
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my progress and everything that I have been able to do to God, because I'm a Christian, and I believe that it is by His help and His grace that I'm able to do every single thing that I've been able to do. Then secondly will be my parents. They did not have the lifestyle that they provided for me, but they tried to make me anything that they couldn't be. So I would attribute everything that I am, or everything that I've been able to do today, to God and my parents.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell them that anything is possible, you just have to sometimes move out of your comfort zone, do things that are very uncomfortable, do things that are difficult, because most of life's greatest rewards comes from places that you get there through uncomfort or discomforts. Everything that you can dream of is possible for you. The fact that you've been able to dream of it should tell you that it's 90% achievable. The rest, 10%, depends on you. Everything is possible for everyone.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges that I have faced would be the fact that most of the times, I've been in places and positions whereby people have not been able to look beyond my race or my skin color. Let's say there's an opportunity that should be considered based on merit, but in case you apply for it, or you try to get into it, and like, the door is closed on you because of where you were coming from. But nevertheless, I keep pushing. I don't let this stop me from moving forward.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I am a results-driven person. I do not start tasks and leave them uncompleted. I'm very detailed-oriented, and I pay very much attention to detail, because as an analytical chemist, you can't ignore even the simple or the smallest details. I communicate clearly if there is something that I do not understand. Over the years, I have tried not to make assumptions, so I would rather communicate clearly, and then see the way forward. And I'm fast to learn. Like, I would not have any idea, zero idea about something, and once you train me for a day or two, I'm able to grab their knowledge, and then keep it moving from there.
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