As the world pauses today to celebrate Women and Girls in Science, one woman in Central Ohio is hoping that we can encourage a little more camaraderie and a little less competition in the STEM fields.

Susanna Tanck, an engineer at Nexceris, a Lewis Center, Ohio-based, renewable energy-focused company, said while she hopes we can achieve more equity and intersectionality for women in STEM, she feels that we might encourage more young women to study STEM subjects if we make more room for them.

Judy Garzanich got her start in science as a fallback career when the gig she really wanted was unavailable.

“When I was a kid, I desperately wanted to be a wizard, and I was crushed when I got old enough to realize that wasn’t possible,” Garzanich remembered. “While in high school, my chemistry teacher performed and had us perform fun experiments that got me interested in chemistry, and I realized it was the closest I could get to using magic as an adult.”

Jane Oberhauser, an accomplished engineer and problem solver, has a passion for science, creative thinking, and advancing technology. Oberhauser plays a pivotal role at Nexceris, a Lewis Center, Ohio company. Nexceris develops efficient energy storage and production systems for the world’s transition to clean energy.

February 11 is International Women and Girls in Science Day and all over the globe, people are finding ways to celebrate the ways in which women have, are, and will contribute to science. Many of them live and work in Central Ohio and are making a difference in the lives we lead.

Lura Armbruster, a production area lead at Nexceris, a Lewis Center, Ohio-based company focused on renewable energy sources, is one of those women.