Dr Janell Catlin has joined the Schmidt Science Fellows team as the program’s first Director of Global Meetings.

Dr Catlin has started her role this week by joining the 2019 Fellows at their Global Meeting in Cambridge MA, hosted by MIT, the Broad Institute, and Harvard University. In her most recent previous role, she was Director of STEM Coalition Partnerships at Discovery Education.

As Director of Global Meetings, Dr Catlin will be responsible for the program design and delivery of the Global Meetings Series that is central to the unique Schmidt Science Fellows experience. The meetings introduce Fellows to new ideas, a wide range of cutting-edge science, and leading thinkers to develop their perspectives as emerging interdisciplinary leaders. Fellows also receive bespoke training in leadership, budget and funding, communication, and personal effectiveness.

Dr Megan Wheeler, Schmidt Science Fellows Executive Director, said: “I am delighted to welcome Dr Catlin to our team and to introduce her to the Schmidt Science Fellows community. The Global Meeting Series is core to the concept of our Fellowship, helping our Fellows gain the knowledge, skills, and networks we think are critical for them to become the next generation of scientist-leaders, complementing and augmenting what they learn in the laboratory. Dr Catlin’s experience in STEM education is outstanding and will allow her to lead our plans to further develop our Global Meeting Series and realize our ambition to visit more international locations.”

Before joining Discovery Education, Dr Catlin served as Head of STEM Education at Teach For All, a global network of 53 partner organizations including Teach For America. She previously led the Harlem Schools Partnership for STEM Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she also serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor. Dr Catlin has led STEM Education initiatives throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Dr Catlin said: “The Schmidt Science Fellows are an inspirational group of early career scientists with a commitment to harnessing interdisciplinary research to make a positive impact in the world. I am thrilled to have the privilege to work with the Fellows and the wider Schmidt Science Fellows community to build a Global Meeting Series that supports their ambitions.”