Every year, female STEM professionals are invited to share their experiences and interest in science, technology, engineering, and math with the participants of the madiSTEM Conference.

The 2025 Morning speaker is Dr. Hailey Quercia. Dr. Hailey Quercia is a veterinarian who specializes in poultry medicine and is currently the Director and Poultry Diagnostician of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Harrisonburg Regional Animal Health Laboratory. Dr. Quercia grew up in New England where her family kept bantam chickens, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl. She earned her undergraduate degree in Connecticut before moving to New York to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. She later moved to Alabama to complete a residency and a master’s degree in avian pathology at Auburn University.  In 2023 she became a diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians. In her current position she helps farmers and backyard chicken owners with their flocks by diagnosing illnesses, aiding in disease surveillance and prevention, and giving talks about poultry health. Fun fact: Dr. Quercia has two cats (one who loves to eat cheerios and one who loves to eat lettuce), two hermit crabs, several tropical fish, and dozens of baby guppies. 

The 2025 Afternoon speaker is Mandy Robinson. Mandy Robinson is the Vice President of Global Marketing, Research and Development, and Global Quality & Regulatory Affairs at Hollister Incorporated. She has worked in the medical device industry for over 25 years. Mandy’s interest in STEM began early in childhood, inspiring her to pursue a degree in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University. She later earned her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management. She was able to combine her engineering technical skills with her passion for marketing to help her customers. Mandy has played sports and even been a coach, which has helped her appreciate the immense value of teamwork. Mandy has brought all of these strengths to her current role at Hollister. Mandy and her husband, Mark, live in Wisconsin and have an exciting year ahead. They will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, watch their son Sean graduate from Purdue University, and cheer on their high school daughter Brooke as she graduates and heads to the University of Iowa. 

The 2024 Morning speaker was Dr. Sophia Leung. Dr. Sophia Leung, (M.D.), an Orthopedic surgeon who specializes in Hand and Upper Extremity surgery, the Orthopedic Site Director for Sentara Medical Group, and the Orthopedic Surgery Section Chief at Sentara RMH. 

The 2024 Afternoon speaker was Dr. Carole Nash, JMU Professor of Geography in the department of Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT, the founder of the nonprofit Mountain Valley Archaeology, a member of the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Waynesboro’s board of trustees, and the director of the Environmental Archaeological Laboratory at JMU.

The 2023 Morning speakers were Leslie Dutt, Associate Director, Technical Operations and Engineering, Merck and Erin Johnson, Director of Engineering, Large Molecule Science and Technology, Merck.

The 2023 Afternoon speaker was Dr. Ray Ann Havasy, founder and Executive Director of The Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL), and STEM specialist for the government of the Grand Caymans.   

The 2022 Morning speaker was Dr. Anca Constantin, JMU Department of Physics and Astronomy (Ph.D. in Astrophysics).

The 2022 Afternoon speaker was Dr. Michelle Hesse, JMU Department of Health Professions (Registered Dietician and Ph.D. in Nutrition) 

Our planned speakers for the 2020 conference were Dr. Ray Ann Havasy, founder and director of the Center for Science Teaching and Learning in Rockville Center, NY, and Dr. Anca Constantin, an Associate Professor in JMU’s Physics and Astronomy Department.  Unfortunately, the 2020 conference was cancelled approximately 1 week before the conference due to COVID-19.

The 2019 Morning speaker was Dr. Jerri Alexiou, a board certified dermatologist practicing in Harrisonburg since 2001.

The 2019 Afternoon speaker was Dr. Linda Thomas, director of the School of Integrated Science at JMU (Ph.D. in Architecture and Building Construction, B.S. & M.A. in Civil Engineer, Law Degree)

The 2018 Morning speaker was Dr. Angela Jarrett, a Peter O'Donnell, Jr. postdoctoral fellow in the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin.

The 2018 Afternoon speaker was Ms. Marne Martin (Bachelor's degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, Masters degree in International Management from ESCP Europe in Paris France, and MBA from Krannert School of Management at Purdue University).

The 2017 Morning speaker was Dr. Cynthia Bauerle, JMU College of Science and Mathematics (Ph.D. Molecular Biology).

The 2017 Afternoon Speaker was Ms. Beth Mellott, Booz Allen Hamilton (B.S. Computer Science, M.A. Education).

The 2016 Morning speaker was Dr. Theresa Rutledge, Preston Memorial Hospital (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)

The 2016 Afternoon speaker was Dr. Morgan Steffen, JMU Department of Biology (Ph.D. Microbiology)

The 2015 Morning Speaker was Dr. Shalyn Crawford,  Four Star Equine Veterinary Services (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine).

The 2015 Afternoon Speaker was Dr. Kimberly F. Sellers, Georgetown University (Ph.D. Statistics).

The 2014 Morning Speaker was Dr. Melyni Worth, Foxden Equine (Ph.D. Equine Nutrition and Exercise Physiology).

The 2014 Afternoon Speaker was Dr. Caroline Lubert, JMU Department of Mathematics and Statistics (Ph.D. Engineering).

The 2013 Opening Speaker was Dr. Elise Barrella, JMU Department of Engineering (Ph.D Civil Engineering).

The 2013 Keynote Speaker was Dr. Crystal Brogan, National Radio Astronomy Observatory (Ph.D. Physics and Astronomy).

The 2012 Opening Speaker was Dr. Debra Warne, JMU Department of Mathematics and Statistics (Ph.D. Mathematics).

The 2012 Keynote Speaker was Dr. Alissa S. Crans, Loyola Marymount University (Ph.D. Mathematics).

The 2011 Opening Speaker was Dr. Carla Martin,  JMU Department of Mathematics and Statistics (Ph.D. Applied Mathematics).

The 2011 Keynote Speaker was Dr. Rebecca Goldin, George Mason University (Ph.D. Mathematics).

The 2010 Keynote Speaker was Dr. Kyle Myers, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Ph.D. Optical Sciences).

The 2009 Keynote Speaker was Dr. Kathryn Thornton, former NASA astronaut (Ph.D. Physics).

The 2008 Keynote Speaker was Dr. Monica Neagoy (Ph.D. Mathematics Education).