What’s your name?
Katie (or Kate) Piazza
Where are you from? Where do you currently live?
I am from Syracuse, New York but I spend my summers where I currently am – in the wild and exotic
city of Mexico, New York on the beautiful shorelines of Lake Ontario.
Where did you go to school and what did you study?
I earned my undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York and I
studied for my Master’s in Chemistry at SUNY Oswego. I contributed to two separate research
projects as a graduate student – one measuring the association of trace metals in the environment
with Alzheimer’s Disease, and another analyzing the composition of carbohydrates in brewer’s malt.
Two very different studies that allowed me to practice different lab skills and learn about a variety of
topics.
Where are you in your career & what do you do?
I have been working in the industry for a little over two years now as a Chemist. I currently work for a
global contract research organization as a bioanalytical chemist. My graduate research skills paid off
and I am still analyzing carbohydrates, but this time in life-saving pharmaceuticals instead of beer!
Who is your favorite author?
I’ve really enjoyed reading all of Malcolm Gladwell’s books, some more than once, and I force them
upon most of my friends when I’ve done all but read the entire thing back to them. I think of him as a
science communicator, since he explains data in such a diplomatic and enjoyable, easy to understand,
kind of way and always uses fact-based evidence to relate it to relevant real-life examples. His podcast is awesome too. He’s just a super cool and intelligent guy. It’s hard to say which of his books is my favorite – right now I’m feeling David and Goliath - I think it’s important we remember when we embrace our disadvantages, we can change the story and turn it into an advantage. Everyone go read his books! All of them!
Is there a time you ever felt marginalized that sparked your passion in gender equality?
Yes, and in the most vulnerable way, I think it’s worth admitting that until several years ago I didn’t
completely understand the struggle for gender parity and I could have been quite critical of it. It
wasn’t really until I was a graduate student and I was the only female in my graduating class that I
noticed how differently I was being treated compared to other students. And when I reflected on
other experiences in my life leading up to that point, I noticed a trend, and in each event I recalled,
what set me apart was my gender. What really lit a fire under me was realizing very few people would
take the account of my experience seriously, as if because it was only me then it must be my problem
alone. I’m thankful I had other strong female and male figures in my life with whom to talk this
through. I’m not necessarily proud of my predisposed criticism, but it is a window to another perspective, and I learned that just because my interpretation isn’t the same as others’ doesn’t mean
theirs isn’t true. Misunderstanding is simply an opportunity to understand.
Which songs have you completely memorized?
Pretty much every Beatles’ song. Do you need to hear a Beatles song? I will sing it for you. I knew
most of the B side to Abbey Road before I knew the alphabet, so I suppose I’m a fan.
What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?
Volunteer! And even more so, join a volunteer corp! My time spent in the Jesuit Volunteer Corp was
one of the most transformational experiences of my life. It’s different for everyone, and it’s certainly
not a walk in the park. It will open your eyes and your heart and you will certainly be a better public
servant for it. In JVC we say we are “ruined for life” and it’s probably the best thing to ever happen to
us.
Describe yourself in three words.
Independent, ambitious, and exhausted.
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