ExCITe Center (3401 Market Street), February 27, 2015

These questions are important - by 2020, the U.S. job market will need an estimated 1.4 million computer scientists. Were women adequately represented in computing, the number of computer scientists in the field would likely double. It's in the interest of everyone to help us figure out why this deficit exists, and how to rectify the situation. The ExCITe Center is pleased to announce an upcoming February discussion about women in computing, designed to allow women in tech to collaborate with ideas about potential changes to how computing is taught, reasons why they may not feel comfortable speaking up in the classroom, and ways to improve and innovate the situation both in the Philadelphia area and beyond.

This discussion will be led by a moderator and a panel of successful women in tech. Questions and topics will likely include...

• How can we improve the way that computer science is currently taught?
• How can we make women feel more comfortable in the computing classroom?
• What keeps women out of tech today? 
• What are some ways to help make women find their place in tech?

This event is aimed at all women, and to male faculty of Drexel University and all surrounding colleges. Women attending Drexel University and other regional schools are encouraged to attend!

Click here to register for the Women in Computing Discussion

This discussion will serve as an opener to <>FemmeHacks</>, a women's student hackathon that is slated to be held at the ExCITe Center on Saturday, February 28th. The discussion will be followed by a FemmeHacks ideation session, which all attendees of the discussion are welcome to be involved in. If you would like to attend this hackathon, please click here to register!

Discussion Panelists

Gabriela Marcu

Gabriela Marcu is an Assistant Professor in the College of Computing and Informatics at Drexel University. She holds a Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.S. in Informatics from the University of California at Irvine. Her research is in the areas of ubiquitous computing, interaction design, and health informatics. Her research involves the deployment of new technologies with clinical and educational partners, to study their effects on people’s everyday lives and practices. Her dissertation project was the design of an iPad-based information system to improve data management in special education. Dr. Marcu directs an interdisciplinary research group combining computing with design, psychology, and anthropology. She has been named a Siebel Scholar, NSF Graduate Research Fellow, Microsoft Research Graduate Women Scholar, and a Google Anita Borg Scholar.

Stacey Mosely

Stacey works as the Data Services Manager for the City of Philadelphia where she currently helps departments leverage data to improve operations, and empowers them open up their data to the public. Prior to joining the Open Data movement, she worked on the City's Vacant Property Strategy, building a data management system and processes to best utilize the City's channels of enforcement against owners of blight. She is a Philadelphia enthusiast and data nut who loves making things, and making things happen. Stacey earned her B.S. in Manufacturing & Design Engineering from Northwestern University and sits on the board of Young Involved Philadelphia.

Christina Kirby

Christina Kirby is a Senior Cross-Platform Developer at Comcast, where she leads efforts to build and deploy Hadoop-Powered Big Data and Analytics solutions leveraging the full Apache Stack. Her primary role is focused on streamlining automation to integrate, standardize, and transform data into information to enrich business models for increased business insights and overall strategic intelligence. Ms. Kirby also contributes to network automation initiatives across the Network Engineering organization. As an Innovation Leader and newly named Lab Week Champion for New Jersey engineering locations, she promotes an innovative culture and orchestrates innovation activities including pitch days, innovation brainstorming sessions and lab weeks to explore emerging technologies. Prior to joining the Network and Services Analysis team, Ms. Kirby was Capacity Planning Lead for Business Services and Core Network Infrastructure with an eye towards scaling the deployment of new services nationwide. In addition, Ms. Kirby serves on the NSF REThink Industry Board focusing on Big Data, Machine Learning and CS Principles and the Drexel University Alumni Board and volunteers with Comcast Cares and WICT. Ms. Kirby holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Drexel University and is currently pursuing her MBA. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and wine tasting.

Yen Duong 

Yen Duong graduated from Drexel University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and minors in Mathematics and Business Administration. During her senior year, she served as President of Drexel's Women in Computing Society. Yen is currently a Software Engineer at Thomson Reuters where she also completed her Drexel co-ops. At Thomson Reuters, Yen develops features for the InCites™ web application, a scientific research evaluation tool. She also serves on the Thomson Reuters Drexel Co-op Steering Committee which supports the advancement of Drexel co-ops in their professional careers by hosting events targeted towards specific soft-skill development. Lastly, Yen is a new member of the Network of Women with Careers in Technology - Philadelphia chapter.