500 Women Scientists is a grassroots organization started by four women who met in graduate school at CU Boulder and who maintained friendships and collaborations after jobs and life took them away from Boulder. Immediately following the November 2016 election, we published an open letter re-affirming our commitment to speak up for science and for women, minorities, immigrants, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA.
500 Women Scientists works to build communities and foster real change that comes from small groups, not large crowds. Our Local Pods help create those deep roots through strong, personal relationships. Local Pods are where members meet regularly, develop a support network, make strategic plans, and take action. Pods focus on issues that resonate in their communities, rooted in our mission and values.
500 Women Scientists works to build communities and foster real change that comes from small groups, not large crowds. Our Local Pods help create those deep roots through strong, personal relationships. Local Pods are where members meet regularly, develop a support network, make strategic plans, and take action. Pods focus on issues that resonate in their communities, rooted in our mission and values.
Bozeman Pod Leadership Team
Emma Loveday, PhD
Emma Kate Loveday is a postdoc at Montana State University. Along with her successful career in researching microbiology/infectious diseases and being a full time parent, she serves as co-coordinator of the Bozeman 500 W.S. Pod. Emma is passionate about driving science back into our political processes.
Racheal Upton, PhD
Dr. Racheal Upton is a soil microbial ecologist with an emphasis on plant-microbe interactions. She received her B.S. in Molecular Biology from Millersville University and her Ph.D. in Microbiology from Iowa State University. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Iowa State University. She serves as the Co-Coordinator for the Bozeman 500WS Pod and is passionate about mentoring and engaging the future generation of female scientists.
Madison Myers PhD
Madison Myers recently started as an Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences at Montana State University. She is excited to start working with students here at Montana State, incorporating them in ongoing research in Yellowstone Park, and mentoring the next generation to be an even more inclusive group of scientists. She serves as Fundraising coordinator for the Bozeman pod.
Alexis England
Susy Kohout, Ph.D.
Dr. Susy Kohout is an Associate Professor at Montana State University. She studies how cells use electricity (!!!) to communicate. Her research falls under many labels: biophysics, neuroscience, cell biology, biochemistry just to name a few. She loves to talk about her research and science in general. Her family is from Argentina, and she is passionate about increasing diversity (racial, cultural and gender-based) in science. She serves as Co-Public Outreach Director for the Bozeman pod.
MaryClare Rollins, Ph.D.
MaryClare Rollins is a molecular biologist in the department of Microbiology and Immunology at Montana State University. In addition to her work in the laboratory, MaryClare enjoys engaging with the public about the beauty and power of science. She believes strongly that science is for everyone. She serves as Co-Public Outreach Director for the Bozeman pod.
Sarah Hopfner
Sarah Hopfner is a Ph.D. candidate in the Cloninger lab at Montana State University where she makes anti-tuberculosis compounds. She received her B.S. in Chemistry from Saint Cloud State University in Minnesota. When not in the lab, Sarah can be found in the kitchen whipping up delicious dishes or out running in the Bozeman sunshine. Sarah serves as Communications Director for the Bozeman pod.
If you are interested in joining our leadership team, please email us as [email protected]
Former leadership team members
These awesome ladies are onto new adventures:
Katie Haase, PhD, currently a professor at Austin Peay State University
Katie is a postdoctoral researcher at Montana State University working on a project trying to predict the bioenergetic effects of white-nose syndrome on western bat species. Before coming to Montana, Katie earned her PhD from the University of Florida, her MS from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and her BS in Wildlife Biology from Unity College in Maine. Katie's research interests tend to focus on anything related to spatial ecology and animal energetics. Her interests stem from her overall questions about how changing landscapes affect animal processes, particularly how spatial patterns of microclimate shape animal behavior. See more about Katie here.
Heidi Reid, currently exploring New Zealand and celebrating completing her masters
Heidi is pursing her PhD in mechanical engineering at Montana State University. She received her bachelor's degree in general engineering with mechanical focus from Montana Tech of the University of Montana. Her research focuses on understanding the unique structural characteristics of insect wings and thoraces for applications in bio-inspired aerodynamic structures, like flexible airfoil wind turbine blades and micro air vehicles. Currently she is working with the Manduca sexta hawkmoth, but intends to work with other insects in the future to make a more generalized insect wing model that can be applied to several bio-inspired engineering applications.