Illuminating Women in Science:
Celebrating San Diego’s Trailblazers
New Village Arts, Carlsbad’s award-winning professional theatre, is proud to present The Half-Life of Marie Curie by Lauren Gunderson—an inspiring play about one of history’s most groundbreaking scientists. In celebration of this production, we are launching Illuminating Women in Science: Celebrating San Diego’s Trailblazers, a special initiative honoring 25 exceptional female scientists and engineers making an impact in our community. Check back here throughout the run as we will continue to highlight and add to this incredible list of trailblazers!

Tara Eagle
Assistant Director of Laboratory Services, Tri-City Medical Center
Tell us about your work!
As the Assistant Director of Laboratory Services, I oversee multiple critical areas, including phlebotomy, specimen processing, clinical chemistry, coagulation, hematology, urinalysis, microbiology, transfusion medicine, point-of-care testing, histology, and cytology. Each of these specialties works in tandem with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure high-quality patient care. With approximately 70% of medical decisions relying on diagnostic laboratory testing, the lab plays a vital role in healthcare. As a commonly circulated meme puts it: “Without the lab, you’re only guessing!”
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I first learned about Marie Curie while studying clinical laboratory science at Miami University and the University of Cincinnati. In my hematology class, we explored aplastic anemia, a bone marrow disorder characterized by the inability to produce normal amounts of blood cells. This condition ultimately led to Curie’s death—her groundbreaking research in radioactivity resulted in prolonged exposure, which caused her bone marrow to fail.
In addition, Curie’s discovery of radium demonstrated that tumor cells exposed to it were destroyed more quickly than healthy cells. Today, with a better understanding of human exposure limits to radioactive isotopes, radiation therapy is conducted in controlled ‘radiation vaults’ to minimize exposure while effectively treating cancer.
As a childhood cancer survivor, I am deeply passionate about clinical laboratory science and the vital role of diagnostic testing in shaping treatment decisions. Our field stands on the shoulders of countless pioneers—chemists, physicists, mathematicians, and computer scientists—whose groundbreaking work laid the foundation for the modern medical laboratory.


Dr. Mary Kate Reeves-Hoche
Retired from Sanofi Pasteur; Volunteer for New Village Arts of Carlsbad, CA; Volunteer as a Disaster Response Team Member with Project Hope and with Heart to Heart International
Tell us about your work!
When I worked with Sanofi Pasteur, I was responsible for a Team of Scientists and others who developed vaccines primarily focused on Avian Influenza of Pandemic Potential. This means that every time a bird flu broke out and spread to another species other than birds, we made a vaccine for that bird flu. We tested our H5N1 vaccine in humans and it licensed for emergency use and sits in the Government stockpile.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I learned about Marie Curie as a child, second grade, when I checked out a biography about her from the school library. I was a voracious reader and read anything about women who “did something” interested me, as I wasn’t going to be “just a girl”. Although I did not know about Hertha Ayrton, my Dad was an electrical engineer and he once used Hertha as an example for my younger sister to get her interest in a science project in grade school when she was in about the 4th or 5th grade.

Stephanie Fraley
University of California San Diego, Moores Cancer Center
Tell us about your work!
I am fascinated by the ability of the tiny cells in our body to move. They actually crawl together, coordinating with each other and their environment to develop and rebuild our organs and fight off pathogens and cancers. I study how cells communicate with each other and their environment to carry out these essential migratory functions.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I learned about Marie Curie in middle school, I believe. I don’t know about Hertha Ayrton, which is disappointing. Marie Curie is a major inspiration to me now more than ever. When I was younger, I of course thought she was inspiring, but as I get older and experience the mounting challenges of being a woman scientist, her example is even more impressive and serves as a touchstone of solidarity.


Find Katya on Instagram: @katyamarchetti
Katya Masrchetti
SBP Discovery
Tell us about your work!
I study how precise timing of gene activity influences heart development, using fruit flies and zebrafish as model organisms. By exploring how genes are turned on or off at different developmental stages, I aim to understand how disruptions in this process can lead to congenital heart defects. This research helps uncover the critical windows where proper gene expression is essential for forming a functional heart.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I grew up in a rural part of Bakersfield, CA, a community steeped in dated beliefs where fewer than 14% of women have a bachelor’s degree, and the pursuit of STEM degrees is even rarer. As a young girl facing misogynistic barriers, I often felt like I didn’t belong—whether as the first female middle school student to place at the California State Science Fair or as the first female chess tournament winner in my high school’s history. It wasn’t until I learned about Marie Curie’s groundbreaking work at an exhibit at the California Science Center in LA that I realized women could thrive in science; her legacy made it feel possible for someone like me to dream of a career in research. I am now a PhD candidate in biomedical research sciences and hope to be able to lift others up and form a team environment that we can use to tackle some of the world’s toughest challenges.


Find Ksenia on Instagram: @Ksenia.palke
Ksenia Palke
NVIDIA
Tell us about your work!
I study AI, in particular LLMs to find it out how it could be used improve graphic processing units.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I learned about her at school, but most recently my 2nd grader daughter came home excited telling me about Marie Curie.


Find Jasmine on Instagram: @jasminemleflore
Jasmine LeFlore
Greater Than Tech & Collins Aerospace
Tell us about your work!
I lead Greater Than Tech, a nonprofit that empowers underserved youth, especially girls of color, to pursue careers in STEM and entrepreneurship through hands-on education and mentorship. In my role as Advanced Technology Solutions Lead at Collins Aerospace, I spearhead technology processes and strategies across six business units, driving innovation and growth. I am passionate about dismantling barriers in STEM, making education more accessible, and inspiring the next generation of innovative technology leaders.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
In 1915, Ayrton invented a hand-operated fan to get rid of poisonous gases from the trenches at the front. She is inspiring for how she was able to make an impact during the circumstances she had.

Tanja Eisemann
Sanford Burnham Prebys
Tell us about your work!
I investigate how brain tumors interact with the immune system to find new ways to treat these aggressive cancers. I explore the mechanisms tumors use to evade immune attacks and study how to harness the immune system’s ability to fight tumors. My research aims to contribute to the development of innovative immunotherapies that improve outcomes for brain tumor patients.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I first learned about Marie Curie’s groundbreaking work in school, and her story has stayed with me as a testament to perseverance and brilliance. While I wasn’t familiar with Hertha Ayrton, discovering her contributions inspires me to explore and celebrate the often-overlooked achievements of women in science. Both women remind us how crucial it is to honor those who paved the way, especially as they overcame significant barriers to establish their rightful place in history.

Alicia Llorente
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
Tell us about your work!
I am a cancer researcher specializing in breast cancer, with a focus on understanding how tumors metastasize and develop resistance to treatment. My current project centers on the HER2-positive breast cancer subtype, identifying the mechanisms behind drug resistance. By developing new therapeutic strategies, we aim to improve treatment options for patients whose cancers no longer respond to standard therapies.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I first learned about Marie Curie through my parents, who are both scientists and introduced me to her work at an early age. As a cancer biologist, I find her discovery that radium could selectively kill diseased cells faster than healthy ones particularly fascinating. This laid the foundation for radiation therapy, which remains one of the most important cancer treatments today. Her work has impacted mine by demonstrating how fundamental scientific discoveries can be translated into life-saving cancer treatments.
I’m not as familiar with Hertha Ayrton, but I’d love to learn more about her work!

Sally Magaña
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
Tell us about your work!
I am a senior manager of diamond identification at the GIA laboratory in Carlsbad, California and verify the growth origin and color origin of diamonds submitted to our laboratory. My areas of research include diamond physics, treatments, and laboratory-grown diamonds. I have been with GIA since 2006 and regularly publish in scientific and gemological journals regarding natural and laboratory-grown diamonds.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
With my physics background, I first learned of her work during my graduate work at college. Dr. Curie performed much of the early and ground-breaking work on radioactivity. While the overwhelming majority of diamonds are not radioactive, diamonds can be affected by natural or laboratory sources of radiation which can change their color. This field has largely grown out of Dr. Curie’s discoveries and the spectroscopic evidence present in irradiated diamonds has been a significant portion of my work and research.

Chiara Nicoletti
Sanford Burnham Prebys
Tell us about your work!
I am a computational biologist who investigates the genetic and epigenetic layers of gene expression regulation in the context of skeletal muscle physiology and neuromuscular diseases, with the goal of developing tools for personalized medicine.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I studied Marie Curie’s seminal work in school, while I am ashamed to say this is the first time I hear about Hertha Ayrton. Even though Marie Curie’s work does not directly have an impact in my line of work, growing with such an example of scientific success gave me the confidence to embark on my own scientific journey. Other female scientists I find inspirational are Rita Levi Montalcini and Barbara McClintock.


Find Rachel on Instagram: @rainbow.rachel.sparkles
Rachel Khoury
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
Tell us about your work!
Under the direction of Dr. Will Wang, I develop and apply innovative methods to study skeletal muscle innervation. I use techniques like immunostaining, tissue clearing, lightsheet microscopy, 3D image analysis, and machine learning, to better understand how disruptions in muscle innervation during aging and cachexia contribute to muscle wasting and loss of strength. My work establishes a comprehensive toolkit for studying neuromuscular changes and provides a foundation for developing new therapeutic strategies to combat muscle wasting.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I first learned about Marie Curie in elementary school, and her story really stuck with me. Her groundbreaking work in radioactivity and the way she pushed through so many challenges inspired me to pursue a career in research. Seeing her dedication to discovery, despite the barriers she faced, made me believe that I could make meaningful contributions in science, too.


Evelyn Sanchez Hernandez
Sanford Burnham Prebys
Tell us about your work!
I study the function of T cells in pancreatic cancer. T cells are part of our immune system, and my studies focus on evaluating how we can enhance the anti-tumor response of T cells in pancreatic cancer.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I learned about Marie Curie’s work during my undergraduate education. Marie Curie along with other female scientists I have met along my career have had an impact on my work. I have been inspired by them to pursue a career in science.


Daniela Valdez-Jasso
University of California San Diego
Tell us about your work!
My lab studies the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension, a disease of the arteries in the lung, which in 4 times more prevalent in women. We use mathematical models and biomedical sciences to quantify the remodeling of these arteries and how the heart adapts to the disease.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
Marie Curie has been the source of inspiration both scientifically and personally. While her work does not directly guide mine, her tenacity and thinking has been the basis for all scientists, especially women.


Find Emerald on Instagram: @emeraldadeyan
Emerald Adeyan
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
Tell us about your work!
I am developing a high-throughput drug screening assay to measure ecDNA inhibition in ecDNA-positive Group 3 Medulloblastoma cells. My goal is to identify ecDNA-specific inhibitors that could serve as potential therapeutic candidates. Through this project, I am gaining hands-on experience in assay development and drug discovery under the mentorship of Dr. Lukas Chavez and Dr. Susanne Heynen-Genel.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I first heard about Marie Curie when I was a child, flipping through a book about famous scientists. At the time, I barely understood what radioactivity was, but I was captivated by the image of a determined woman in a dark lab, surrounded by glowing test tubes. Her name stuck with me.
As I grew older and studied science more seriously, I came to appreciate the sheer brilliance and resilience of her work. She wasn’t just the first woman to win a Nobel Prize—she was the first person ever to win two, in two different fields. She pushed forward in an era when women in science were often dismissed, and she did so not for fame, but for the pursuit of knowledge and the hope of medical advancements.
Marie Curie’s legacy continues to inspire me in my own scientific journey. Her tireless curiosity and commitment to discovery remind me that true progress comes from persistence, passion, and a willingness to challenge the unknown. Whenever I feel overwhelmed in the lab, I think about her long nights of research, her belief in her work, and the impact she left on the world. It pushes me to keep going, to ask big questions, and to contribute, in my own way, to the world of science.


Find Sara on Instagram: @emigraatkaa
Sara Przetocka
Salk Institute
Tell us about your work!
My research focuses on how cells safeguard their genome during replication, with a special emphasis on telomeres— the protective ends of chromosomes. By uncovering key mechanisms that maintain telomere stability, I aim to reveal how replication stress contributes to cancer and other age related diseases.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I’m Polish so we learned about Marie Curie early on in school, and she was my first scientific role model. As for Hertha Ayrton, unfortunately I’m not very good in physics, so I didn’t hear much.


Find Queralt on Instagram: @queraltv3
Queralt Vallmajó Martín
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Tell us about your work!
My research focuses on understanding how aggressive breast cancers start, progress, and spread. These cancers are hard to treat because they contain diverse tumor cells that adapt to their environment and evade the immune system. Using advanced lab models and molecular tools, I aim to uncover how these tumors change early on, with the goal of finding new ways to stop their growth and improve treatment options.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I likely first learned about Marie Curie’s work in high school – an inspiring, resilient, and incredibly intelligent woman. Later on, during my university years, I gained a deeper appreciation for her groundbreaking discoveries in radioactivity and her perseverance in a male-dominated field. I wasn’t previously familiar with Hertha Ayrton, but her pioneering contributions to physics and engineering, as well as her advocacy for women in science, are truly remarkable. While neither Curie nor Ayrton’s research directly overlaps with mine, their legacies of scientific rigor, determination, and commitment to advancing women in STEM continue to shape my approach to research and mentorship.


Find Alejandra on Instagram: @masoguis
Alejandra Solis
Quidelortho
Tell us about your work!
As a Process Engineer, I work every day to enhance the manufacturing of medical devices that aid in diagnosing heart disease and similar illnesses. Like Marie Curie, I am curious, observant, determined, and passionate about the impact of my work on humanity.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I learned about Marie Curie as a child, and she was one of the scientists that made me realize early on that I could become anything I wanted – as long as I worked hard for it.

Rosie Cash
QuidelOrtho
Tell us about your work!
I am a process engineer, which involves sustaining and optimizing product lines at QuidelOrtho.


Elizabeth Dominguez
QuidelOrtho
Tell us about your work!
Director of Quality Operations at QuidelOrtho, ensuring our sites and products comply with FDA and ISO regulations. QuidelOrtho-Carlsbad produces In Vitro Dianostic tests used in the diagnosis and management of: Respiratory, Infectious, Inflammatory Conditions, Reproductive and Gastro-Intestinal. My background in science and engineering has helped ensure our customers receive the highest level of quality in our products to promote timely results and treatment.


Bridget Kohlnhofer, PhD
Aspen Neuroscience
Tell us about your work!
I am a cell and molecular biologist working at Aspen Neuroscience, a clinical-stage biotech, as the Associate Director of Research. We develop cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases using a patient’s own cells, with our first therapy being a treatment for Parkinson’s Disease. I am leading our pipeline expansion program evaluating new cell types and indications for cell therapies.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I learned of Marie Curie’s work identifying the double helix structure of DNA in high school and college biology classes. I further learned more about her work in my graduate work where I used radioactive isotopes in my research. Marie Curie was the only female scientist’s name that came up in textbooks that made significant scientific contributions. As a female, this was inspiring to see a female making an impact at a high level.

Laura Nicholson
Scripps Research
Tell us about your work!
I mentor young researchers in translational science, the methods that translate important biomedical discoveries into improved human health. In particular, I teach clinical study design and science communication, mentoring or collaborating in many different research areas, particularly immunological response to infections and vaccines in normal and immunocompromised individuals.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I learned about Marie Curie in school. I did not know about Hertha Ayrton and am eager to learn more. All women scientists have had an impact on my work, through discovery but especially by paving the way.


Find Melissa on Instagram: @cool_sio
Melissa Carter
Scripps Institution of Oceanography; UC San Diego
Tell us about your work!
My work is focused on collecting and maintaining long-term coastal ocean observations of temperature, salinity, chlorophyll, pH, oxygen, and phytoplankton. This means I could be diving under piers in southern California to maintain our network of sensors, using a microscope to view and count phytoplankton, or sitting at a computer analyzing and archiving data so that it is available for researcher, managers, and the public. I also manage the longest, continuous ocean temperature and salinity program in the Pacific, the Shore Stations Program, that has been collecting daily observations at four stations in CA for over 100 years. This historic program combined with the new high frequency observations we collect are vital to understanding how the ocean is changing and the impact we have on the most productive area of the ocean.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I remember learning about Marie Curie in elementary school as the first female scientist that won not just one, but two Nobel Prizes. I was always interested in science and math, and early on it was important for me to know that women were capable of scientific discoveries and leading roles in research and teaching.


Jackie Trischman
The College of STEM at CSUSM
Tell us about your work!
After 26 years as a Chemistry & Biochemistry Professor at CSUSM, Dr. Trischman was promoted to Dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. In this role, she draws on her passion for engaged learning and the building of community and sense of belonging to drive her leadership of 200 faculty and staff serving over 3,000 STEM majors and more than 5,000 students in other majors each year.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
I deeply respect Marie Curie as a gifted scientist whose insatiable curiosity and groundbreaking research in radioactivity paved the way for countless scientific advancements. Her brilliance and determination remain an inspiration, symbolizing the power of perseverance in the face of discrimination. However, I also recognize that many women scientists who have changed the world since Curie are not as widely celebrated, despite their transformative contributions. For example, Stephanie Kwolek, the inventor of Kevlar, revolutionized materials science with her discovery, pushing boundaries and impacting countless lives through its application in bulletproof vests and helmets, aviation, and materials used in space. While Curie’s legacy shines brightly, it’s important to acknowledge and honor the achievements of other remarkable women whose work has shaped our world, often without the recognition they deserve. Hertha Ayrton, first woman member of the IEEE and much more, is a great example of another woman who changed history, but is not typically highlighted in grade school like Marie Curie.


Yazmin Hatch
QuidelOrtho
Tell us about your work!
My role as a Staff Chemist includes developing and implementing process improvements for manufacturing processes, as well as troubleshooting as needed to ensure continued production. I also design and perform experiments and analyze the resulting data for the aforementioned processes.


Paula Aristizabal, MD, MAS
University of California San Diego and Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego
Tell us about your work!
Dr. Paula Aristizabal, MD, MAS is a pediatric oncologist at the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady Children’s Hospital and an Associate Professor and physician-scientists in the Department of Pediatrics at UC San Diego, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. Her expertise includes health justice, hematological malignancies, implementation and improvement sciences, bioethics, and interventional clinical trials. She is the Division Quality Improvement Lead and serves as the liaison between Rady Children’s Hospital and the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center Population Sciences. In her role as the Medical Director for International Outreach Program at Rady Children’s, she also leads childhood cancer programs globally in Latin America.
How did you learn about Marie Curie’s work? Do you know about Hertha Ayrton (British physicist)? Has either woman had an impact on your work?
Both are Epic role models for women scientists!
