Monday, November 26, 2012

Dr. Erin Marie Williams awarded The L'Oréal USA Fellowship

The L'Oréal USA Fellowship "For Women in Science Program" is a national award that annually recognizes five outstanding researchers in engineering, mathematics and in the life sciences. The goals of this program are "to raise awareness of the contribution of women in science" and to "Identify exceptional female researchers...to serve as role models for younger generations."


One of these five recognized women is Dr. Erin Marie Williams. Dr. Williams is a National Science Foundation Minority postdoctoral fellow from the department of Anthropology at The George Washington University's Center for the Advanced Study of Hominid Paleobiology.

Dr. Williams's interest in Anthropology was early in her life as she explains, "I think I was like a lot of kids, and I was interested in Anthropology long before I know what Anthropology was all about. My first vivid memory of being interested in what I later learned was Anthropology was in the second grade when our teacher, Mrs. Warner, took us to the University of Michigan Natural History Museum and we saw the dioramas depicting different Native American groups. Most of us had visited the museum before and we were familiar with the scenes--the tiny people going about their day, growing corn, tanning hides, making snow shoes--but no matter how many times I had visited in the past, the dioramas always felt new and exciting to me."

Dr. Williams attended a small college in Iowa, Grinnell College. While in college, she was determined to go to Law School. She took the LSTA, applied, and luckily got into several schools. However, in the last minute as she explains, "I decided not to go." She took some time off before deciding whether Law School was for her, and during that time she embarked on several activities until she found her true passion as she explains. "I worked on a horse/dude ranch in Colorado, helped promote hip hop shows in Ann Arbor, MI, worked at the Princeton Review, bartended, etc. After awhile I got tired of my lack of direction and slowed down to think about what I was good at and what I enjoyed. I landed on Anthropology, recalling how much I'd enjoyed going on digs while in college, and considering different theories on the formation of culture. As it turns out, I've moved away from cultural anthropology, and even from archeology, to a degree. Or rather, I've broadened to include and focus on the physical and evolutionary components of anthropology."

Like many students Dr. Williams had some challenges during college, she explains. "My family did not have a lot of money, so I worked all through college, but had worked through middle school and high school...I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well at times, and not enough pressure at other times. But I always felt a great deal of support from my parents, family and teachers."


As a woman in STEM (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Dr. Williams explains some other challenges. "I have always felt that I was held to slightly different standards than my white peers. I don't know whether this was an internal or external pressure, perhaps it was both. But it helped me to try to exceed those standars and expectations."

Dr. Williams explains how she was able to accomplish her goals, "Frequently, I set very specific goals and consciously worked to surpass them. I have always celebrated my victories and made sure to allow myself to fell good about them. Two of the most helpful things for me was seeking out opportunities to participate in extra-classroom activities and attaching myself to a good mentor."


She explains how fortunate she was on having great mentors who supported her and guided her through her career. " I've been fortunate and I had access to a number of professors during undergrad and graduate school that were willing and able to provide a lot of research opportunities and mentoring. They worked with me on my writing and research skills, and allowed me to participate in activities that are not obviously available unless sought after."

Dr. Williams emphasizes the importance of having a mentor and she helps those who want to pursue science. "When I have my own children, I think I will encourage them to find a mentor and through that person, to ask for the help they need, to ask to be allowed to participate in research."


"Students that seek out opportunities and carve out their own niche get to participate in so many more activities than those that take a more passive approach to their education. It is hard to be bold at time, but I believe that there are tremendous benefits."

Dr. Williams will continue her research and teaching human evolutionary biology. "I'm particularly drawn to smaller learning institution... I also plan to continue working with younger students, particularly those that don't have abundant exposure to scientific concepts and processes, to get them excited about the sciences."



To learn more about her research.


To learn more about the fellowship and how to apply.