“After Kennan and I met, we became friends through our mutual passions of flying, walking in nature and discussing life. I very much enjoy her brilliant mind. She is delightful. Whenever we get together I appreciate that she shares her vision for science. How great the possibilities of true discovery are when scientists collaborate together, instead of competing or focusing on individual agendas. Open and honest communication achieves results. This will help solve some big problems that we are facing. Younger generations have so much to offer with their spirit and optimism for facing challenges. Older generations have experience under their belt and can gently guide this enthusiasm. Reimagine Science is creating opportunities to bring together different generations and levels of experience. Working scientists coming together to mentor and learn together; connecting, creating and discovering. Reimagine Science demonstrates the optimism and creativity needed to work towards this vision. “Whatever we focus on expands.” Let’s focus on what we can do, not what is wrong. Let’s use our abilities to create a vibrant world that is sustainable for future generations. Science is a candle in the dark. It can help us make intelligent decisions. Testable hypotheses are an antidote to the myths of pseudoscience. It needs a voice, to be heard by non-scientists. I would love to see ReImagine Science become a household name – the more people who know about it, the better. This is why I donate, and support Kennan.”
“I wish more people knew it was possible to reimagine science. I think the biggest challenge right now is connecting those who are ready and able to think outside the box. Kennan believes it is possible for a new type of ecosystem around science and exploration. I agree, to be doing science for the sake of understanding and not for profitability and competition. Scientists are becoming more whole people and think about the impacts of what they are doing, are connected to their personal values, especially younger scientists.
There is a craving in the next generation. The world is facing global challenges, many caused by the old paradigm of science. What does the future hold for these young scientists? It can look like many things, even looking at the reformation of the way science is taught and practiced. I am a big believer in the Buckminster Fuller quote “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”
I think what Kennan is doing forwards the opportunity to tap into this idea. By supporting Reimagine Science, you have the opportunity to paint a new picture, to reimagine science and change the world. I do.”
“I gave a talk at the National Institute of Digestive and Diseases of Kidney in 2011 on data sharing and collaboration to advance research areas that need innovation. A director of one of the Research Divisions was present and approached me afterwards with the observation that I might be interested in Kennan’s work. With Kennan, I found a group that was interested in how Science worked and furthermore, it was trying to change how it worked. She invited me to an Un-Summit in 2012 where I found an approach to conferencing that was oddly intriguing and democratic, and ultimately rewarding. I was not aware, and I’m still not aware, of any group that combines its vision, thinking, and practice to improve how Science is done.”
“We need to re-address some of the core issues. In science, we are seeing it being commoditized, scientists are competitive, science is being done under the auspices of capitalism. What you can produce as opposed to what you can understand. One of the things we embrace at our foundation is ‘failure is an outcome’. You can propose a project and know failure is an outcome. We don’t seek it, but it is useful knowledge. Kennan’s idea of how we can be more cross collaborative and think of science in a different way to address some of the systemic issues in the ecosystem. Scientists are doing things that aren’t humane or ethical, we need bring heart to science. We need scientists to wake up to some of the impact of some of their research and be conscious about what they are doing. I love the idea of new dialogue Kennan has been creating, to really reimagine science. Kennan being a scientist can go into that ecosystem with her credentials and credibility to actually facilitate conversations in the community that not everyone can.”
“ReImagine Science comes from the sense that there is someone who thinks they can change the world.
In science, and in technology, intellectual property is what the commons is made up of, and this is in real trouble. Traditionally science has had the freedom to explore the unknown. If there were no way to explore the unknown, to enlarge the knowledge we currently have, you would not have the developments and advances we’ve had in the last 50 years. But with science’s focus on patenting, not all of the knowledge is available.
Almost all of government that is supporting science now is product directed. You are messing with the minds that have all kinds of curiosity, that could lead to a discovery that may not be made otherwise.
Reimagine science wants to change science’s effect in the world.”
“Kennan and I were both living in the DC area at the same time when she shared her ideas for starting a non-profit, and it sounded interesting to me. We had attended grad school together and both understood the experience of needing help during that time. Students are often put in unhealthy situations during grad school and can be left to either sink or swim. Kennan and I talked about the different tools that could be used to navigate academics and creating those tools through a non-profit to provide help. There is an easier way to do science when you work in real teams, where each person owns what they are doing, and each person is a leader. I believe Reimagine Science will inspire people to get together to solve the big, complex problems of the world. Whether it is the changes in environment, nutrition, or the economy, these are all connected and cannot be solved by just one person.”
“When looking for ways to make a meaningful contribution to my community using my background in accounting and interest in science, I found ReImagine Science. As treasurer of Reimagine Science, I was able to support the scientific community and learn about the problems scientists face throughout their careers. Reimagine Science’s mission to improve communication in the sciences is important. I believe that if scientists had a better way of communicating with each other and the general public more public policies would be based on science rather than politics.
Kennan and Rich are so passionate about ReImagine Science that they make everyone they talk to interested in their work. One of the projects we worked on that was most exciting was a ReImagine Science high school club, where Kennan taught students about what a life in the sciences really meant. I believe that these young people will use their passion and energy to make positive changes in their communities based on their experiences with ReImagine Science, whether they pursue careers in science or not.
ReImagine Science may be a small organization, but I believe that changes start with just a few individuals at a time. The ReImagine Science team’s work has the potential to have positive ripple effects in the scientific community.”
Meet Some of Those who Contribute:
Lynne McWilliams held a challenging and rewarding career for almost thirty years as one of few (and first) women field technicians in the telecommunications field. She holds a private pilot certificate with an instrument (IFR) rating. Currently, Lynne devotes her energy to her mother’s art, turning her work into beautiful cards she is selling at her local farmer’s markets. She hopes to start a non-profit in the future to support getting art supplies to children and those without access. Lynne has had a longstanding commitment to supporting Reimagine Science.
Izja Lederhendler has always loved observing and investigating for as long as he can remember, leading to his love of science and embracing a scientific framework of comparative animal behavior, particularly social behavior. This led him into the natural world and field studies to the evolution and development of social behavior. His most fulfilling position was as the Program Director at NIH where he was able to help individual scientists across a wide range of projects encompassing many levels of analysis. Izja loves to spend time learning about and observing birds and participating in citizen science projects.
William A. Fenwick
William A. Fenwick is a founding partner of Fenwick & West, one of the country’s foremost patent and intellectual property law firms, with offices around the world. Mr. Fenwick, as a pioneering intellectual property lawyer, knew that computers were “going to be the most powerful force in the world in my lifetime.” He is recipient of American Lawyer’s ‘Lifetime Achiever’ award (2015). In the early 1970’s when computer handling of personal information began to generate concern, Mr. Fenwick appeared before federal and legislative committees to testify about proposed “privacy legislation”, including the Privacy Act of 1974. He helped incorporate Apple Computers when Steve Jobs’ and Steve Wozniak’s prototype consisted of ground-breaking hardware supported by typewriter keys pasted on a bit of plywood. His visionary stance has created a who’s who of technology companies that are or have been clients of Fenwick & West (Oracle, Intuit, Amazon, Cisco, Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Sun Microsystems, Airbnb and Uber to name just a few).
Richard Stafford
Richard Stafford, President of the Board and co-founder of ReImagine Science, was inspired by his Oroville, CA grandmother, who was gifted in the knowledge of use of local plants and herbs, as well as animal taxidermy. He, too, is a highly creative person who loves the curiosity-driven world of scientific discovery and invention. With an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a PhD in chemistry from the University of California San Diego, Richard has worked in both academia and private industry. His is currently at NextCure, a biotech at the forefront of cancer research and discovery, working on cancer assessment and personalized medical treatments. His long-standing commitment with ReImagine Science comes from his vision of better communication between scientists, and more clarity in bringing science to the general public so there is more trust and understanding. He also believes in the value and voices of citizen scientists.
Amanda Aversano
Amanda Aversano graduated from Rutgers University in 2012 with a major in Economics and minor in Mathematics. In 2015, she went back to school to study accounting, then worked as an audit associate at CohnReznick, a national public accounting firm, prior to working at US Bank. Her interest in ReImagine Science comes from her love of nature. Amanda believes that through better collaboration among scientists more can be achieved to help the environment. Amanda is also concerned with the lack of fact-based thinking in public policy; she is hoping to change that through her support of ReImagine Science.
Two Ways to Donate Online
Innovative Ways to Contribute to ReImagine Science
STOCK DONATIONS
Directly donated stocks let us take on big projects. If you have stock plan assets as part of your remuneration, such as options, restricted stock units, etc, direct donation of stock can offset your tax obligations substantially (up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income). Donating stocks, alongside cashing out stocks for your own use, can offset the tax burden you might be dreading. To learn more, a keyword search for Schwab, Vanguard or Fidelity Charitable can guide you to local financial advisors that specialize in charitable donation planning.
EMPLOYEE GIVING PROGRAMS
Workplace giving programs – another favorite of ours! We have donors who have chosen ReImagine Science through their matching funds donor programs at work – and we love it. The donations we get through these programs really make a difference. They help us pay for programs, for our platform subscriptions and membership dues for key organizations we learn from, support, and partner with, such as the Global Learning Exchange Network, Cognitive Edge, and Science of Team Science.
In Closing
ReImagine Science is a 501(c)3 that began life through grassroots funders, many of whom are still with us. Our two largest donations to date were given by successful entrepreneurs from the information technology sector.
Your donation supports hope for the future of young scientists, a more robust science community, a better integration of science and society, and a more planet-centered view of the impact of scientific developments.
Do you care deeply about science? Do you want to make sure that future generations of scientists can enjoy their work and contributions as much as you enjoyed yours? We’d love to share with you where we think the sweet spots for change are, and discuss how you might impact the future of young scientists, and the planet.