Lauren Olinger, PhD
I am a marine biologist at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. As a native Floridian, I have always felt at home in the ocean. After graduating college in Miami in 2015, I moved to the Virgin Islands, where I received a masters in marine science in 2017, before moving to North Carolina in 2018 to pursue a PhD in marine biology. My research focuses on Caribbean coral reefs, and I use code to simulate coral reefs, make 3D models of reef organisms, and analyze big data. I was a college senior when I was introduced to coding and discovered my aptitude for it. I am passionate about closing the gender gap in STEM and busting the stereotype of a computer programmer by introducing coding to girls. |
Kiara Bennerman
I am a proud Wilmingtonian by way of Washington DC. I’ve lived in Wilmington since I was four years old, attended elementary, middle and high school here; I moved to Durham for college in 2007 and returned in 2017. I have an array of interests and passions including research, politics and gender equality. I am a mom of three that advocates for inclusion, diversity and girl power! My hobbies include, enjoying nature, yoga and learning about innovative/ futuristic things! I love connecting with positive people in order to bring about positive outcomes. I enjoy working smart and I value peace. I’ve always had a love for technology, this intensified with the emergence of STEM for children during the mid 2000’s. Thus I became a STEAM tutor while in college for Durham Public schools. I also tutored in New Hanover schools. During this time I became aware of the vast gap of achievement and exposure within marginalized communities to the subject of STEM. Fast forward to me becoming a mom I decided to advocate for the marginalized by becoming a vocal advocate highlighting the disparities as well as offering-highlighting solutions. After returning to Wilmington full time in 2018 and exposing my children to various activities I realized Wilmington didn't offer many “affordable” STEM options. In May of 2020 after more research, I learned of a few more STEM options outside of Wilmington that reinspired me to advocate for those often left out of the loop. So here I am now, learning and sharing with a goal of inspiring us all to realize with inclusion we ALL can achieve!
I am a proud Wilmingtonian by way of Washington DC. I’ve lived in Wilmington since I was four years old, attended elementary, middle and high school here; I moved to Durham for college in 2007 and returned in 2017. I have an array of interests and passions including research, politics and gender equality. I am a mom of three that advocates for inclusion, diversity and girl power! My hobbies include, enjoying nature, yoga and learning about innovative/ futuristic things! I love connecting with positive people in order to bring about positive outcomes. I enjoy working smart and I value peace. I’ve always had a love for technology, this intensified with the emergence of STEM for children during the mid 2000’s. Thus I became a STEAM tutor while in college for Durham Public schools. I also tutored in New Hanover schools. During this time I became aware of the vast gap of achievement and exposure within marginalized communities to the subject of STEM. Fast forward to me becoming a mom I decided to advocate for the marginalized by becoming a vocal advocate highlighting the disparities as well as offering-highlighting solutions. After returning to Wilmington full time in 2018 and exposing my children to various activities I realized Wilmington didn't offer many “affordable” STEM options. In May of 2020 after more research, I learned of a few more STEM options outside of Wilmington that reinspired me to advocate for those often left out of the loop. So here I am now, learning and sharing with a goal of inspiring us all to realize with inclusion we ALL can achieve!
Zoë Mathews
Owner, Code Ninjas After a successful career in marketing and customer services, Zoë opened Code Ninjas in order to get back to working with kids and benefiting the community. Read more about Zoë in the news: |