To help students learn more about the industry, Middlesex Community College hosted the 19th annual Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) Panel on Wednesday, March 11. Panelists featured six women working in the local STEM fields, including two Middlesex alumnae.
“We were thrilled to host such successful women leaders in science and biotech for our annual Women in STEM panel and luncheon,” said Dr. Marie Hronik-Tupaj, MCC’s Dean of STEM. “Hearing the panelists’ experiences and career lessons provide students encouragement and clarity in the education and career paths that they choose. They inspired us all and we were fortunate to have them with us for this special event.”
For the panel, MCC welcomed alumnae Sarah Hagler and Linda Tatenda Cross, as well as Danielle Reynolds, Luisa Antonopoulos, Parika Petaipimol, and Jodie Giordano.
Crediting MCC for launching her career in biotech, Hagler is an Associate Director of Quality Assurance at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. At the panel, she spoke on some of the challenges she has overcome on her journey in STEM, as well as how the lab experiences at MCC prepared her for her career.
“Perseverance, determination, and resilience can lead to success,” Hagler said. “I want students to leave feeling empowered and ready to tackle their own challenges head-on. By sharing my career journey, I hope to showcase the incredible opportunities available in this field and demonstrate how MCC can open doors to a rewarding and fulfilling career.”
The Managing Director of D.T. Reynolds Consulting, Reynolds helps life sciences organizations with workforce development, capability, and integrating AI into how teams learn, work and solve problems. During the panel, Reynolds shared with students the importance of being open to the different opportunities available in the field.
“My career has taken a lot of unexpected turns, and I think it’s important for students to hear real stories – not just polished job titles – so they can imagine themselves in this space,” Reynolds said. “I want to give students a sense of what STEM careers actually look like day‑to‑day and remind them that there’s no single ‘right’ path. Curiosity, communication, and a willingness to learn go a long way.”
Antonopoulos most recently worked at Takeda Pharmaceuticals as an Associate Director in Quality Excellence and Innovation to strengthen quality culture, support leadership strategy, and help teams improve. At the panel, Antonopoulos spoke on the importance of pushing past one’s comfort zone and mentorship.
“Early in my career I was fortunate to work with strong women leaders and mentors,” Antonopoulos said. “They were incredibly generous in sharing their experiences and helping me navigate challenges, build confidence, and think strategically about my career. Participating in this panel is an opportunity for me to pay that forward and share my experiences with students who may be starting to imagine their own paths in STEM.”
With over two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, Petaipimol works at the clinical stage company Upstream Bio as Head of Technical Operations. During MCC’s panel, she wanted students to understand that there are many different paths one can take throughout their career.
“Although my fellow panelists have different stories, we all have similar themes where we all have meandering careers. Where we started is not where we are today,” Petaipimol said. “Throughout our respective career journeys, we have made friends, built skills, fostered a network of mentors, and have a sense of community.”