SiSTEM UK

Hi network 👋, It’s been a while since my last update, so here’s a quick catch-up on my first quarter in final year! - I've been loving my Pharmacology and Toxicology module—it’s sparked a new interest in drug development, which has been really exciting to explore. - I’ve also started research for my final-year microbiology wet lab project that I'll dive into fully next term. I'm especially excited about this one, as I’ll finally get to work on experiments related to my passion for women's health! - Recently, I got to present my placement year poster to second-year students, which was a great way to reflect on my own experiences and share some tips with those just starting out. Another big highlight has been the Topics in Molecular Science module, where I’m learning so much about science communication. One of our external speakers, Dr Abigail Otchere (founder of SiSTEM UK ) was especially inspiring as she shared her journey building a business to support women in STEM. Looking forward to what’s next and can’t wait to share more soon!

Our co-founders Dr Abigail Otchere and Donna Otchere will parcipating in a virtual BHM roundtable debate organised by Reach Society this Friday! Sign up to join the session using this link: https://lnkd.in/gsvsPs-b Come and hear the stories and experiences of the amazing panel from a wide range of fields. We are sure you will be empowered and enlightened 👏🏾👏🏾 #blackhistorymonth #roundtable #trailblazers #BHM #reclaimingnarratives

A very late post! But I had the chance to see SiSTEM UK and Pick Up The Mic Ltd in person with the lovely Kameron Young during the summer and it was such a heart warming experience. “The Mighty Mixer” event was a networking and in person podcast experience, looking into bridging the gap between creativity and STEM. It was great to hear some of the speakers and hear what they do outside of a typical 9-5. It goes to show that there is so much potential in each and every one of us if we put our mind to it! Linking creativity within STEM is not something everyone thinks about, but there are so many unique careers within art and STEM when they are intertwined. This event made me reflect back on my work with Scientia News giving me fresh ideas for the future of my project! 🧪🫶🏾 Dr Abigail Otchere & Donna Otchere are both such inspiring women and it was amazing to meet them and see the work they do come to life. SiSTEM UK is an organisation helping and uplifting women, especially in ethnic backgrounds, to find a career in STEM and they have done so many inspiring things. I have followed their content for years and it’s great to see how much they have grown. Jeffrey Oyinlola has also done some amazing work for his organisation Pick Up The Mic Ltd, working on podcasts and content for university students. It was nice to connect and hear what people are doing in the STEM community, especially in underrepresented backgrounds and I hope everyone continues to thrive in what they are passionate about! 🚀

Today marks Black Health Equity Day (BHED), a crucial moment this #BlackHistoryMonth to advocate for equitable health outcomes for Black individuals. We encourage everyone to join the movement by sharing insights, stories, and support. Let's use our collective voice to drive change and ensure a healthier future for all. Click on the link to download the I support Black Health Equity Day poster and for more information: https://lnkd.in/eH25VNHT #BlackHealthEquityDay #HealthEquity #Advocacy #JoinTheMovement #BlackHealthEquityDay #HEALforBlackPeople #BHED #BHED2024 Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN) Blackfemaledrsuk BFDUK Modern Day Medics Melanin Medics SiSTEM UK Black Ballad BWIH - Black Women In Health Medical Association of Nigerians Across Great Britain (MANSAG) House of Medics Black Women Rising UK British Caribbean Doctors & Dentists Association (BCDD) British Association of Black Surgeons Dr. Aziza Sesay Obi Jude Nzeako Dr Julie Hammond MRCGP MBBS BSc DRCOG Joyce Omatseye Izie Allison-Omoruyi Rumbi Mutenga Cissy Atwine Dr Jessica Katanga MBBS BSc Hons Yvonne Abimbola Karen Arthur Nina K. Dr. Toyosi Adeniji (M.D, MRCGP, FFMLM) Uwa Ima-Edomwonyi MBBS FRCGP Damilola Sogbesan Simphiwe Sesane MSc BSc (Hons) DFSRH FRT Tosin Sotubo-Ajayi Lizzie Soyode Sylvia Kama-Kieghe Oge Ilozue Dr. Dupe Burgess Adwoa Danso-Boamah Dr Kandi Ejiofor MBBS, BSc, DFSRH, MRCGP M Ogunrinde Prof. Margaret Ikpoh Prof. Kevin Fenton CBE Prof. Bola Owolabi, MRCGP MFPH(Hon), FRSPH Prof Habib Naqvi MBE NHS Race & Health Observatory

‘They didn’t give us space at the table so we made our own table’ 😁 -Abigail Otchere, SiSTEM I can’t believe it’s been a week already since we held a SiSTEM UK Roundtable event entitled ‘Beyond the numbers: Closing the gender gap in STEM’ at Karren Brady's Women in Business & Tech Expo We invited 40 women across and outside the STEM field to discuss the gender equity gap in STEM. Change-makers, trailblazers, influential women who are breaking barriers everyday. We discussed barriers women and girls face in the field particularly for black women and discussed actionable steps we can take as individuals and also as organisations. One thing which was apparent during our conversation is this is not a ‘women only’ or a ‘black woman issue’ - to close the gap it needs to be ‘everyone’s problem’ to solve. We can’t wait to have a Part 2 😏 to delve deeper and have many more people and allies involved in this conversation. It was so beautiful to see women coming together and really felt like it was a safe space for us all. Thank you to our esteemed guests for honouring our invitation and making the discussion so memorable and impactful. You also made us so comfortable as hosts and brought the best out of us! Thank you to Barroness Karren Brady’s expo team for giving us the opportunity and partnering with us. We are looking forward to releasing the outcomes of this discussion Donna Otchere Rhonda Hillary Oblitey #womenintech #blackwomeninstem #witbexpo #roundtable

Dr Abigail Otchere is the medical communications manager and co-founder of SISTEM, which she created with her sister. We are proud to include her in our REflect Top 24 Role Models for 2024 list. Q1. What is your greatest achievement in your career? "Completing a PhD during a pandemic stands as my greatest career achievement. Despite the challenges of a PhD and the limited black representation at this level, I navigated the challenges to successfully submit and defend my thesis. This journey taught me to believe in myself and reinforced that nothing is unattainable if I put my mind to it." Q2. Who or what inspires you in your work? “My desire to contribute to human knowledge is what inspires me everyday. There is so many unanswered questions and problems to solve in the world of science and particularly health which is my interest, I want to part of that solution and contribute to saving lives.” Q3. Please provide one piece of advice for future global ethnic-majority engineers. “Don’t give up! Especially when you don’t see others who look like you around you or if someone tells you engineering is not for you. Sometimes our career journey is not as smooth sailing as we imagine but it will work out in the end and sometimes we are re-directed to something even better.” The Top 24 for 2024 list was produced in partnership with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK). #GEMinSTEM #REflect #STEM

This was the Women in Business & Tech Expo, what a time! I had the great privelledge of facilitating SiSTEM UK’s amazing network of Women in a roundtable, where the place was filled with insight and solutions! Great minds think a like and two are better than one, so imagine a room filled with 40 fantastic women. I left feeling charged up and supported. SiSTEM UK Let’s do this again! #womeninbusiness #womenintech #roundtable #marketing #stem #change

The National Diversity Awards 2024!! Donna Otchere and I were shortlisted from 90,000 as positive role models for gender 🤯🥹 This was extra special because it was the first time we were nominated together for an award! We attended the ceremony at Liverpool Catherdal, such a beautiful venue and entertainment on the night was 10/10! Being finalists was never part of the dream so this is beyond our wildest dreams but it’s an incredible honour to be recognised alongside so many inspiring individuals and organisations. Although we didn’t win we won just being there! - We are just two sisters from Brixton, with a dream. We don’t want any other girl to leave the STEM field or not to pursue a STEM career because they feel alone or are being told they are not capable to succeed. We were those girls! That’s why we created SiSTEM UK Congrats to all the winners and other shortlisted nominees. Thank you to Paul Sesay and the team for a wonderful celebration, highlighting those who are driving change and very often unsung heroes #diversity #nda24 #postiverolemodels #awards #womeninstem #blackwomeninstem

Another Thursday, another episode! ✨ In this episode, I interview the wonderful Rhonda Hillary Oblitey who gives the low down on her story and journey into the marketing world and how she has ended up working at Watches of Switzerland (fancy- I know) and now also plays a crucial role as the marketing and PR manager for SiSTEM UK! Listen here: https://lnkd.in/dQXqtX2t

It’s been busy at the Excel center 1) The Karren Brady's Women in Business & Tech Expo with SiSTEM UK exploring ways in which we can help reduce the gender gap within STEM. Donna Otchere Dr Abigail Otchere Yetunde Animashaun, MSc Augustina A. Ayo Sokale CEng MICE MAPM FRSA 2) I spoke at the DTX 360 Cyber Careers Fair talking about my squiggly career from Chemistry to Cybersecurity. The term squiggly careers was coined by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis I love spreading this terminology amongst cyber professionals. I really enjoyed Anthony Enoh Cybersecurity game! 🟠 Steph Aldridge 🌵 Dan Hathaway Jitender Arora 3) ++ DTX 360 X Grab the Mic and WiTCH - Women in Tech & Cyber Hub I was a panellist for the discussion regarding the retention of women within Cybersecurity Eleanor Dallaway Illyana Mullins Rik Ferguson Anya Bridges Amanda Finch FCIIS