Seton Hill University hosted its 23rd annual Women in Science Day on Wednesday, May 18. Women in Science Day recognizes young women who are juniors from regional high schools who have been nominated by their teachers as students who excel in mathematics, biology and/or chemistry.

The event featured a keynote address by Kathleen Madigan. Madigan has specialized in renal nutrition for the past 25 years and currently serves as a renal dietician for Fresenius Medical Care at Fairmount Dialysis in Philadelphia, Pa. She is the lead dietician for the southeastern Pennsylvania and Delaware region, overseeing the nutritional services provided in 29 dialysis centers. Madigan graduated from Seton Hill in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition science/nutrition education. She completed her graduate studies at Case Western Reserve University and earned a Master of Science degree in nutrition science in 1982. In 2004, Madigan obtained a Master of Business Administration degree in health administration from Eastern University, where she currently teaches. Madigan is currently the chairperson for the Council on Renal Nutrition Network and serves on the board of directors for the Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County.

The first Women in Science Day was initiated in 1989 by Sister Margaret Burns, S.C., former physics and mathematics faculty member at Seton Hill. This event was developed in response to a goal set forth at a Neylan Conference, a gathering of educators from Catholic universities, founded by female religious congregations. The goal of the Conference was to encourage teachers to design a program, at their own university, which would affirm and encourage young women in their study of mathematics and science.

Winners of the 2011 Women in Science Awards include:

Acme 15610
Melissa Monstrola-Chemistry-Mount Pleasant Area High School

Addison 15411
Riley Papson-Biology-Turkeyfoot Valley Area High School

Allison Park 15101
Natalie Nash-Chemistry-Vincentian Academy
Erin Sarosi-Mathematics-Vincentian Academy

Belle Vernon 15012
Christine Plavchak-Biology-Belle Vernon Area High School
Lindsay Richardson-Chemistry-Belle Vernon Area High School
Caroline Tucker-Chemistry-Greensburg Central Catholic High School

Berlin 15530
Katarina Stoltzfus-Chemistry-Berlin Brothersvalley Area High School

Butler 16002
Frances Anne Tosto-Biology-Saint Joseph High School

Carnegie 15106
Margaret Gegick-Chemistry-Bishop Canevin High School

Central City 15926
Emily Harkcom-Biology-Shade-Central City High School
Becca Muha-Chemistry-Shade-Central City High School

Charleroi 15022
Hailee Pascoe-Chemistry-Charleroi High School

Confluence 15424
Alicia Saylor-Chemistry-Turkeyfoot Valley Area High School

Delmont 15626
Amanda Kowalczyk-Mathematics-Greensburg Salem High School
Kayla Mattucci-Biology-Greensburg Salem High School

Derry 15627
Kelly Zimmerman-Mathematics-Derry Area High School

Ebensburg 15913
Megan Schall-Mathematics-Bishop Carroll Catholic High School

Elizabeth 15037
Jennifer Welsh-Mathematics-Elizabeth Forward High School

Gallitzin 16641
Katieri DeLessio-Biology-Bishop Carroll Catholic High School

Glassport 15045
Jacqueline Tyszkiewcz-Mathematics-South Allegheny High School

Greensburg 15601
Allyssa Noel-Chemistry-Greensburg Salem High School

Jeannette 15644
Geena Barberio-Biology-Jeannette Senior High School
Kerri Giles-Mathematics-Jeannette Senior High School

Johnstown 15902
Leah Bridges-Biology-Bishop McCourt Catholic High School
Halee Karashin-Mathematics-Bishop McCourt Catholic High School
Lauren Woznick-Chemistry-Bishop McCourt Catholic High School

Latrobe 15650
Jessica Doris-Chemistry-Greater Latrobe Senior High School
Caela Long-Biology-Greater Latrobe Senior High School

Level Green 15085
Kelly Hollis-Chemistry-Penn-Trafford High School

Liberty Boro 15133
Lauren Peretich-Chemistry-South Allegheny High School

Loretto 15940
Josie Yahner-Chemistry-Bishop Carroll Catholic High School

Madison 15663
Holly Stokes-Chemistry-Yough Senior High School

McKeesport 15133
Morgan Ellwood-Biology-South Allegheny High School

Monessen 15062
Toria Lapiska-Mathematics-Monessen High School
Desiree Rice-Biology-Monessen High School

Monroeville 15146
Jessica Coulter-Biology-Gateway High School

Mount Pleasant 15666
Sarah Govern-Biology-Mount Pleasant Area Junior/Senior High School
Hannah Salai-Mathematics-Mount Pleasant Area Junior/Senior High School

New Kensington 15068
Jenna DeLuca-Chemistry-Saint Joseph High School
Natalie Hetu-Mathematics-Saint Joseph High School
Kelly Kuzemchak-Mathematics-Kiski Area High School

North Huntingdon 15642
Gina Culbertson-Chemistry-Norwin High School
Katie Dillon-Mathematics-Greensburg Central Catholic High School
Rachel Geizura-Mathematics-Norwin High School
Sarah Hanley-Biology-Greensburg Central Catholic High School
Maggie Yuhas-Biology-Norwin High School

Perryopolis 15473
Rachel Erdely-Chemistry-Geibel Catholic Middle-High School

Pittsburgh 15220
Jessica Marabello-Mathematics-Bishop Canevin High School

Pittsburgh 15235
Marilyn McCann-Chemistry-Penn Hills High School
Shayla Williamson-Mathematics-Penn Hills High School

Saltsburg 15681
Briana Clawson-Chemistry-Saltsburg Middle/High School
Megan Miller-Biology-Saltsburg Middle/High School
Kayla Percic-Biology-Apollo Ridge High School
Heather St. John-Mathematics-Saltsburg Middle/High School

Saxonburg 16056
Desiree Goldstrohm-Biology-Knoch High School

Somerset 15501
Devon Firestone-Biology-Somerset Area Senior High School
Elizabeth Snyder-Chemistry-Somerset Area Senior High School

Uniontown 15401
Katharine Chambers-Biology-Geibel Catholic Middle-High School

Vandergrift 15690
Allison Guggenheimer-Biology-Kiski Area High School

West Newton 15089
Caley Blankenbuehler-Mathematics-Yough Senior High School
Emily Parchuke-Biology-Yough Senior High School
Gabrielle Steiner-Mathematics-Belle Vernon Area High School