New Mexico Network for
Women in Science and Engineering

PO Box 51926, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87181 USA

NMNWSE Election 2020 Candidate Profiles

The NMNWSE Board's only position on the candidates is that we feel all the declared candidates are qualified, and we encourage all members to vote for the declared or write-in candidates of their choice.

President

Rajaa Shindi

Dr. Rajaa Shindi is Systems Administrator and an expert in SharePoint migration and management technologies, and a faculty member at Dona Ana Community College (DACC) teaching computer science and information technology courses. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from NMSU where she worked on the research and development of a novel system for enhancing attention among children with Attention Disorder.

Facing many obstacles growing up, Rajaa is now a strong supporter of STEM, and is Co-PI on a 2015 STEM grant to promote STEM among Middle, High School and DACC students. The grant is also to encourage the students to "think computationally " across disciplines to empower female students' capability and encourage them t o major in STEM. She also helps with the Las Cruces EYH, volunteers at science fairs, and looks for other ways to help children with specific needs such as ADHD, physical handicapped, mental disorders, etc.

Vice President / President-Elect

Savi Janapareddi

I am a First Line Supervisor in the Software and Applications Engineering division at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. I am a first generation immigrant from the Indian Sub-Continent, relocated to the United States to work as a Software Engineer almost 22 years ago. I recently graduated from the Anderson School of Management at University of New Mexico, with an Executive MBA. I am very thrilled that my high school freshman daughter chose STEM as her area of study. Over the last 10 years, I have volunteered as a Girl Scouts Troop Treasurer, Math Pentathlon Coach, Hill-Talkers New Mexico Speech and Debate Association (NMSDA) Treasurer and a board member, NMSDA Judge, a Co-Presenter at the EYH, Santa Fe Chapter. I enjoy working with kids while helping them shape their career and giving them clarity on the variety of career options that are available for them.

If I can help in any capacity to empower girls to become leaders of tomorrow by sharing my experiences and in turn learning from them, I would consider that I have made a difference. I would like you to consider me for the position of Vice President of New Mexico Network of Women in Science and Engineering (NMNWSE).

Steffi Davison

I'm a research associate at Los Alamos National Laboratory with the Bioenergy Group. My research focus is metabolic engineering and I received my PhD last year in Microbiology. I was born and raised in South Africa, and completed my studies at Stellenbosch University. Previously, I've served as Vice-president and Graduate Advisor for Golden Key International Honours Society for the Stellenbosch Chapter for the past 5 years.

I've enjoyed collaborating with students and scientists on various outreach projects and believe I could be of assistance to MNWSE. Uplifting women and STEM is a passion project of mine. Thank you for your consideration.

Amy Bauer

Dr. Amy Bauer received her Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics in 2007 from the University of Michigan and holds an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Amy is a Scientist in in the X-Theoretical Design Division at LANL and has over a decade of experience in nuclear weapons design and weapons physics in support of Directed Stockpile, Experimental Sciences, and Global Security programs. She is a device assessor in both pre- and post-detonation nuclear incident emergency response (JTOT, DFEAT, NTNF) and does technical research and development in these areas. In addition, Dr. Bauer was the Principal Investigator for Red Sage – the 2019-20 NNSA series of dynamic plutonium sub-critical experiments, and the Deputy Containment Venture Lead for the Low-Yield Nuclear Monitoring (LYNM) program. She has an H-index of 11 and over 110 classified publications. Amy received four LANL Distinguished Performance Awards (2016, 2015, 2015, 2013) and one NNSA Defense Programs Award of Excellence (2013). Amy is also a National Ski Patroller and teaches Avalanche Safety. In 2014, Amy was awarded the National Ski Patrol Purple Merit Star Award for saving a life. She is the founder of the Women’s Weekend at Pajarito Mountain, an annual charity that has raised over $100K for New Mexicans diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer. She has two daughters in elementary school and wants to help ensure opportunities in STEM are developed to meet the evolving needs.

Treasurer

Jeanne Banks

Jeanne Banks is the current Treasurer for the New Mexico Network for Women in Science and Engineering and has been a member for over 30 years. She served as State President and Vice President, State EYH Coordinator and has chaired the Annual Meeting and Policies and Procedures Committees. She has supported the Central EYH in several capacities over the years. She has served as Treasurer in other organizations for a total of 15 years. Her other involvement in support of women's education is the American Business Women's Association. She has been an ABWA member for almost 40 years and has been an officer at the local, regional and national levels.

Jeanne retired from Northrop Grumman after a 34+ year career as a program manager, system developer and test director. In addition to her organizational involvement, she now spends her time hiking with her husband, John, traveling, and spoiling her grandchildren.

At-Large

Haylie Lobeck

I am interested in being a member at large in the NMNWSE because I know how important it is for young girls (and boys) to have a positive experience with STEM as they grow up, and NMNWSE is a group that provides that opportunity to kids across the state.

I grew up in South Bend, Indiana and earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Arcadia University (Philadelphia, PA) in 2014 and a Ph.D. in Actinide Chemistry and Mineralogy from the University of Notre Dame (South Bend, IN) in 2019. I moved to Albuquerque, NM in 2019 when I started a fellowship with the National Nuclear Security Administration, and I recently converted to a full time position as a federal program manager of tritium production activities within the NNSA.

I have been a member in NMNWSE for a year now, and I have really enjoyed meeting all of the incredible members and hearing about the good work we are doing around the state. I believe that the STEM outreach that the NMNWSE does through the EYH programs and participating in science fairs is a great way to connect to the community and promote how "cool" STEM can be. Going through school, I can see how easy it is for students to fall away from the STEM path, but I believe that through science enrichment programs for all grade levels you can keep the interest alive and promote the next generation of scientists and engineers. I also believe that the mentorship opportunities available through NMNWSE is extremely valuable to early career women scientists. We have such a diverse group of incredibly impressive members and I believe that their knowledge and resources can greatly impact women who are starting out in their field. I have been personally mentored by two of the NMNWSE members and I am grateful for their knowledge and support as I navigated the world of finding my first "real job" and establishing myself in Albuquerque.

I'd like to become a member at large in the NMNWSE because I truly support the group's mission and I'd like to have a bigger role in giving back to my community through the promotion of STEM and providing support to early career women in science and engineering.

Erica Gaytan

Erica Gaytan works for the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, NM with the Lead Project Office as a Subgroup Chair within the nuclear enterprise. She currently has ten years’ experience working as an electronics engineer with the Department of Defense. She was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso and immediately began her career working at White Sands Missile Range, NM. She worked with a joint Service agency operating under the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Director, Operational Test and Evaluation as an electronics engineer and program analyst.

As a female engineer, Erica is a huge advocate for empowering younger girls to become interested in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). She feels it is important to close the gender gap and disparity in the STEM workforce by involving younger girls in STEM related projects and programs as well as providing female mentorship and successful women role models. Erica is currently involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Central New Mexico Program. Her little sister is in the fifth grade and is interested in becoming a scientist. Erica is focusing on mentoring her little sister with STEM projects and programs throughout the Albuquerque, NM community to include various activities such as Explora, NASA STEM, and engaging in the UNM Engineering Student Success Center Resources. Through BBBS, she has seen her little sister have fun while developing the skills to become successful in STEM through each of their interactions and hopes to help her reach her full potential at each milestone.

Katie Rodarte

Katie is a Group Administrator within the X Computational Physics Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory. She earned her Business Administration degree from Regis University in Colorado and has a specialization in Project Management. As an aspiring Project Manager with a strong interest in Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Katie is working toward an MS in Global and National Security and an MBA in Management of Technology through the University of New Mexico. Katie is the Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee for the University of New Mexico Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) as well as the Secretary of the Bicycle Safety Committee (BSC) for Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Katie enjoys being able to connect with her community and help others to explore exciting new interests and passions. Over the last 10 years, she has worked with children in a variety of volunteer programs, such as the Santa Fe Children’s Museum, Pop Culture Classroom at Denver Comic Con, Pikes Peak Readers, and the New Mexico RoboRave. Through Katie’s interest in Environmental and Planetary Sciences, she enjoys being able to provide engaging STEM opportunities to young learners and help them to reach their full potential.

Yolanda Jones King

Dr. Yolanda Jones King earned her Ph.D. in 1981 in chemical laser kinetics and is an AIAA Fellow. She served the Department of Defense (DOD) for thirty-two years in research, management of research and development programs, resource management and program planning. Dr. King retired from the Department in January 2014 and continues to do technical advising to the DOD through SAIC. Dr. Yolanda Jones King is a Regent of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Yolanda King is also active in the community, having served in the Junior League of Albuquerque, Town Club Sorority Alumnae, as the first woman on the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy and on the very first New Mexico Space Commission. She is active in and has served multiple terms on the Board of the Network for Women in Science & Engineering which works to encourage young girls to enter nontraditional careers. She has worked in the encouragement of STEM and student outreach for 35 years, reaching thousands of young people across New Mexico and the USA. She is married to former New Mexico Attorney General (Dr.) Gary King.

Tinka Gammel

Tinka is a theoretical Condensed Matter Physicist doing Equation of State work at Los Alamos National Laboratory. She has served as NMNWSE Communications Chair and Board Member since about 2000. She moved the NMNWSE Careers book from hardcopy to the web, created the first "NMNWSE Careers CD" for the NMNWSE EYH conferences, and has overseen several revisions to the NMNWSE Careers Book and Careers CD, and has served for nearly 20 years as the NMNWSE List manager and webmaster - or more accurately, "web-amateur" ☺.

Continuing Board Members

Continuing Executive Board members

Continuing At-Large Board Members

Please visit the board webpage for current Chapter Presidents, EYH Chairs, and Ad-hoc and Standing Committee Chairs, who are not elected by NMNWSE statewide Elections and are presumed to not be changing unless they have notified the board.

And a big THANKS! to all our current and past board members and EYH and committee chairs!