Virtual Book Club: Mommy, Can Boys Also Be Doctors? by Dr. Marlene Belfort

MASS AWIS invites you to a special virtual book event featuring Mommy, Can Boys Also Be Doctors? A Message to Young Scientists and Other Humans by renowned biochemist Dr. Marlene Belfort (bio below).

Marlene will read selected passages from her memoir, sharing moments from her life as a scientist, immigrant, mother, and mentor, and reflecting on resilience, identity, and finding meaning in uncertainty. We will then move into a facilitated discussion on key themes—including navigating discrimination, balancing personal and professional roles, and supporting mental health in STEM—followed by a live Q&A session with Dr. Belfort.

If you don’t have time to read the book in advance, you are warmly encouraged to explore the topics through the accompanying podcast (link provided) to spark your curiosity and prepare for conversation.

All are welcome: students, postdocs, faculty, industry professionals, caregivers, and anyone interested in the human side of A Life in Science.

Link to podcast: https://asm.org/podcasts/mtm/episodes/unraveling-introns-and-expectations-with-marlene-b

Discount links (25% off) for the book are active until June 10th:

Paperback: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=STXReIp1MqTs0DfhCynsm3w5ZTy5hgsodXlt4CjLaKc

Hard cover: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=68R9TGRrCBsQfo5GqO6ayFqvN7XGYbQFhjzFYKZ80os

Author Bio

Marlene Belfort, PhD, is a Distinguished Professor at the University at Albany, SUNY, where she serves as Director of the Life Sciences Research Program and is a member of the Department of Biological Sciences and the RNA Institute. She has held longstanding appointments with the New York State Department of Health and as an Adjunct Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Trained in South Africa, the United States, and Israel, Dr. Belfort is an internationally recognized leader in molecular biology with a career spanning several decades and an h-index of 77.

She is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Academy of Microbiology, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the NIH MERIT Award, the Alice C. Evans Award, the RNA Society Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 2025 AWIS Zenith Award. Beyond her scientific achievements, Dr. Belfort is widely respected for her mentorship, leadership, and advocacy for women in science.

Cost: FREE for ALL.

Registration required. Limited spots available.

Register Here

Registration Deadline: 2nd June 2026, 5 PM ET.

This is an online event. All registrants will receive a Zoom link an hour before the event.

Open to All Supporters: You don't have to be a woman to join AWIS. Anyone who believes in gender equity in STEM is welcome to become a member and/or to join this event.