AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassadors

National Geographic – Women Explorers

Empowering National Geographic Explorers around the globe

The problem? Too many women are deterred from careers in science due to lack of support and lack of relatable role models in the field. 

The solution? Lyda Hill Philanthropies stepped in with the Women and Dependent Care Fund to support the women National Geographic Explorers as they pursue activities that increase their visibility in the media and among the public, provide access to vital professional development, and directly fund their fieldwork. 

From grad students to mid-career professionals, 180 women across 34 countries gained invaluable skills and emerged as stronger candidates for future career opportunities. But the impact doesn’t stop there! The fund also covered family care for both female and male Explorers so they have the support they need to pursue their missions. 

Learn More about National Geographic Explorers

Sharks Pacific – Dr. Jess Cramp

Sharks, science, and community: Dr. Jess Cramp’s mission to save some of the oceans most iconic creatures

The problem? Shark populations are dropping fast due to overfishing, putting not only these incredible creatures at risk but also the entire balance of marine ecosystems. The solution? Dr. Jess Cramp, a marine conservation superhero, is on a mission to protect sharks and save the ocean with her organization, Sharks Pacific. Based in the Pacific Islands, Dr. Cramp combines research, policy action, and community power to help vulnerable sharks thrive and keep the ocean healthy. She’s using high-tech tools like satellite tagging and genetic analysis to uncover shark secrets, like their behaviors, migration routes, and ecological importance. Dr. Cramp is also working with local communities to teach sustainable ocean practices, empowering them to become ocean stewards. By blending traditional knowledge with cutting-edge science, she’s building a team effort to protect sharks and the ecosystems they call home. Thanks to Dr. Cramp’s groundbreaking research, shark sanctuaries are being created and new policies are in place to protect endangered species, proving that saving sharks means saving the ocean.

Learn more about Dr. Jess Cramp and Sharks Pacific

Beata Mierzwa – Microscopya

A video game inspiring STEM exploration

With the help of IF/THEN®’s She Can Change The World Grant program, Dr. Mierzwa has turned the molecular world into an exciting, science-packed video game adventure! Microscopya brings the inside of a cell to life with vibrant puzzles, hidden objects, and character customization that let players of all ages explore how cells work—like how they make proteins! 

But it doesn’t stop there—Dr. Mierzwa and her team have also created a fun, teacher-friendly Educator’s Guide, filled with lesson plans and discussion prompts perfect for classrooms from middle school to college. Microscopya is more than just a game; it’s a way to inspire young minds to see science as creative, approachable, and full of endless possibilities. By showcasing the beauty of the molecular world and helping students see themselves in STEM, Microscopya is opening doors to a future of curiosity and discovery! 

Learn more about Microscopya

Dr. Cori Lathan – KID Museum

Unlocking creativity and confidence for young innovators

At the KID Museum, Dr. Lathan launched the Maker Girls pathway as part of the museum’s Invent the Future program to spark creativity and confidence in middle school girls. With a boost from IF/THEN®, amazing girls and their mentors embarked on an exciting year-long journey. 

Together, they explored innovation through hands-on field trips to the KID Museum, dove into fun and engaging STEM curriculum, and received all the materials and support they needed to bring their inventions to life. Digital tools and resources kept the creativity flowing, while community partners made it a collaborative adventure. Through the program, these girls stepped further toward shaping the future! 

Learn more about the KID Museum

Anamita Guha – AskNina

AI copilot for turning STEM dreams into reality

Anamita Guha created Nina, a conversational AI “copilot” designed to empower teenage girls to dive into the exciting world of STEM entrepreneurship. Nina offers a safe, supportive, and fun space for girls to explore their interests, brainstorm business ideas, and build confidence in their entrepreneurial journey. Using natural language processing (NLP), Nina acts as a virtual mentor, providing personalized advice on everything from developing products and pitching ideas to navigating business basics like market research and opening a bank account. 

Packed with over 500 assets from the IF/THEN® Collection and other resources, Nina connects girls to inspiring stories, hands-on guidance, and even real-life mentors, including IF/THEN® Ambassadors. Plus, built-in security features will ensure a safe and private environment for all users. By supporting young women at this pivotal stage, AskNina is fostering a new generation of bold, brilliant STEM entrepreneurs who will shape the future! 

Learn more about AskNina

Sam Wynns – EcoLogik

IF/THEN® and EcoLogik Take Over Comic-Con

At EcoLogik, Sam Wynns has built a hands-on STEM adventure where nature meets tech, inspiring young eco-innovators to tackle environmental challenges with creativity. Sam and the EcoLogik team took IF/THEN® to Comic-Con, where they produced bold engagement and events designed to make STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) the star of the show. IF/THEN® Ambassadors shared their insights about the intersection of science, innovation, and creativity. 

For two years, the STEAM Fair transformed the Comic-Con Museum into a hands-on science playground, with activities like DIY comets, 3D scanning, and invisible ink experiments for families. The IF/THEN® Comic-Con Takeover’s splash talks, social media blitz, and celebration of science reached thousands in person and millions more online. 

Learn more about EcoLogik

Kristen Lear – Bat Conservation International

From field trips to future conservationists

Through the Discover Bats! Program, supported by IF/THEN®’s She Is Changing the World Grant program, is all about inspiring middle schoolers to fall in love with bats and see wildlife conservation as a cool STEM career path. Partnering with Bat Conservation International (BCI), Dr. Lear created English and Spanish curriculum focused on research, data collection, habitats, ecology, and conservation. She teamed up with schools and after-school programs to share this content so teachers can use it in interactive, inclusive, and accessible ways. 

Students also get to connect with STEM professionals and experience the magic of bat conservation firsthand. For example, at a field trip to Bracken Cave, students got to witness the world’s largest bat emergence and meet BCI scientists! This project is inspiring the next generation of conservationists by showing students how STEM can change the world (and save the bats). 

Learn more about Bat Conservation International

Steadman Philippon Research Institute – Dr. Sarah Wilson

Skiing just got safer: Dr. Sarah Wilson is revolutionizing ski gear and injury prevention

The problem? Skiing can be great fun, but it also comes with a high risk of injury, and traditional treatments often mean surgery or long recovery times with uncertain results. The fix? Dr. Sarah Wilson, a researcher at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI), is on a mission to make skiing safer and recovery quicker through innovative sports medicine and biomechanics. She’s shaking up the world of orthopedic research by improving everything from injury prevention to rehabilitation techniques, ensuring athletes can ski harder and recover faster. One of her coolest projects? Revamping ski equipment! Dr. Wilson is studying how skis, boots, and bindings work with the body to prevent injuries and improve performance. By digging deep into ski biomechanics, she’s figuring out how small tweaks—like adjusting boot design or binding release settings—can make a huge difference in control, comfort, and safety. With her work, skiers can hit the slopes with better gear, fewer injuries, and more time enjoying the sport!