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 2024 Morning speaker is Dr. Sophia Leung. Dr. Sophia Leung, (M.D.) is an Orthopedic surgeon who specializes in Hand and Upper Extremity surgery. She is also currently serving as the Orthopedic Site Director for Sentara Medical Group, and the Orthopedic Surgery Section Chief at Sentara RMH.  Dr. Leung came to the US from Hong Kong at age 5. She originally received her undergraduate degree in Industrial design from Virginia Tech. Dr. Leung graduated from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed her residency at University of Maryland Medical Center and R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center to become part of the 7% of board-certified orthopedic surgeons who are female. She then pursued a fellowship in hand and upper extremity surgery at UPMC in Pittsburgh. Fun fact: She has two young children and if she wasn’t a surgeon, she would be a pastry chef. Dr. Leung is obsessed with cats but is also allergic to them!

The 2024 Afternoon speaker is Dr. Carole Nash. Dr. Carole Nash is a JMU Professor of Geography in the department of Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT) and is also currently the JMU College of Integrated Science and Engineering (CISE) Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She received her doctorate in anthropology/archaeology from the Catholic University of America.  She is a fellow Duke having earned her undergraduate degree in anthropology and philosophy from JMU. Dr. Nash has over 40 years of experience in cultural resource management (National Park Service, National Forest Service, State of Virginia). She is the founder of the nonprofit Mountain Valley Archaeology, a member of the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Waynesboro’s board of trustees, and is the director of the Environmental Archaeological Laboratory at JMU. Fun fact: Dr. Nash debunked the local myth that Thomas Harrison (Harrisonburg’s namesake and founder), lived in the Thomas Harrison House in downtown Harrisonburg, determining that in fact the house was constructed after Harrison’s passing. 

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).