Dr. Kristy McDowell Selected as Department of Defense STEM Ambassador.

Dr. Kristy L. McDowell has been selected as the DMV 2021/2022 Department of

Defense (DoD) STEM Ambassador by the Defense Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Mathematics Education Consortium (DSEC).

McDowell is an experienced scientist and educator with an extensive research

background in oncology, molecular biology, genetics, and infectious diseases. She

completed her bachelor’s degree with a double major in Biology and African

American Studies at Washington University (St. Louis, MO, 1997). She obtained

her Ph.D. in Microbiology/Immunology from Meharry Medical College (Nashville,

TN, 2007) and completed her dissertation research at the National Cancer

Institute in Frederick, Maryland.

The DSEC is a collaborative partnership that aims to broaden STEM literacy and

develop a diverse and agile workforce with the technical excellence to defend our

nation. DSEC seeks to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. This

multi-year effort includes elements focused on STEM enrichment programs for

students and educators, STEM workforce engagement, program evaluation, and

public outreach.

Educators who are recognized with the DoD STEM Ambassador award will partner

with DSEC to advance STEM outreach throughout the 2021-2022 school year. As

members of this prestigious cohort, DoD STEM Ambassadors will collaborate with

DSEC to create and curate resources to support STEM educators across the nation

in implementing high quality STEM learning for all students.

“My goal for this year is to expand my outreach and network to educate and inspire more children to pursue STEM careers”

she said.

Currently, Dr. McDowell is an adjunct Professor at Northern Virginia Community

College (NVCC) and the founder and CEO of BabyScientist, Inc.,

(www.babyscientist.org). BabyScientist is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

created to educate, motivate, and inspire children, preK-12, from underserved

communities and underrepresented populations to pursue careers in STEM.