Francesca Grifo

Name: Francesca Grifo
Place of Employment: Union of Concerned Scientists
Job Title: Director of the Scientific Integrity Program and Senior Scientist
Education: AB in Biological Sciences, Smith College
Doctorate, Plant Systematics, Cornell University 

As the senior scientist and director of the Scientific Integrity Program at UCS, Francesca Grifo acts to mobilize scientists and citizens to defend the integrity of government science from political interference.    Dr. Grifo came to UCS in 2005 from Columbia University where she directed the Center for Environmental Research and Conservation graduate policy workshop and ran the Science Teachers Environmental Education Program. Prior to that, she was director of the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation and a curator of the Hall of Biodiversity at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.     Dr. Grifo edited and contributed to the books Biodiversity and Human Health and The Living Planet in Crisis: Biodiversity Science and Policy. In addition to her scholarly work, Dr. Grifo was the manager of the International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups Program at the National Institutes of Health. She was also a senior program officer for Central and Eastern Europe for the Biodiversity Support Program, a consortium of the World Resources Institute, the Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund.  She also served as an AAAS Fellow in the Office of Research at the U.S. Agency for International Development.    Dr. Grifo earned a doctorate in botany from Cornell and a bachelor's degree in biology from Smith College.     Dr. Grifo has testified before Congress on the subject of scientific integrity in federal policy making and is widely quoted on the topic in media outlets such as The New York Times, Washington Post, and National Public Radio's Science Friday.

What is the greatest challenge you’ve encountered during your career in STEM?
Juggling work and family. It is an ongoing challenge to be the mother I want to be and still excel at work. In the end - my family wins hands down but sometimes the trade-off are frustrating! I had a lot of fun and achieved some career success before I had my family. The actual years with kids fly by so I am really glad about every time I chose kids over work! Hopefully this is changing for the next generation! I feel so lucky to now be working at a place that values and supports a work life balance.

What do you think is the most exciting thing about having a career in STEM?
For me it is the applicability of what I do. We work to keep federal science for the public good and that means a government that makes rules that protect our health and safety based on the best available science. My work is endlessly diverse and ever-changing and challenging!

If you could give one piece of advice to a girl who is considering doing a Silver or Gold Award based on STEM or pursuing a career in STEM, what would that be?
Do what you love and make choices that leave as many doors open as possible. We change careers and jobs so many times now that nothing is forever so keep learning and stretching and you'll be ready for the next step whatever it may be. You will spend so much time working - go with your passion!

Did you have STEM mentors?
I did - I had an uncle who was a biologist and who took my intellect seriously when I was about six. He never relegated me to the places girls were sent in my day. He expected the best from me and taught me a lot of science. Because he took me seriously, I took me seriously!

If you were a Girl Scout, what is your favorite Girl Scout memory?
Singing - we had a troop that sang. We traveled to different girl scout gatherings and sang and sang! I also remember fondly making a sit upon!

If you were a Girl Scout, did Girl Scouting have an impact on your decision to pursue a career in STEM?
I went camping for the first time through scouts. My troop spent time outdoors doing lots of nature activities. I am sure this fed my love of biology and biodiversity! I earned many badges and if I were to go back and find my sash - I am sure many of them were nature based!