News

Sandra Boek Werness (Sandy) became an ARCS MWC member in 2008. She was sponsored by her mother, Jean Boek, who herself had become a member in 1992. We thank Sandy for her long-time commitment to our chapter and her ongoing support of our ARCS MWC Scholars! 

Sandy said that she became an ARCS MWC member because her mother had been involved with ARCS MWC for many years and brought Sandy and her husband, Bruce, to many events. Sandy said that her mother had really loved the chapter and its members, and it seemed like a natural progression to join. Another reason Sandy joined is that she also loves science and engineering, continuing her family’s passion for the topics! Jean and her husband, Walter, were both involved in numerous scientific endeavors. Walter founded what is now the Global Autoimmune Institute (GAI), which funds research, education, and multidisciplinary practice of medicine, and Jean then joined him in the initiative. Sandy is the Executive Director of GAI.

Sandy is still an ARCS MWC member because she thinks that encouraging young scientists and engineers the way ARCS does is fantastic. She said that the chapter’s goal of encouraging them to continue their important work by supporting them financially contributes to the growth and knowledge of important areas such as immunology. Sandy is delighted to have had the chance to join her fellow members in supporting the chapter’s Scholars. 

Sandy added that ARCS indirectly helped inspire her formulation of the mission of Global Autoimmune Institute. ARCS also played a role in GAI's support of the La Jolla Institute of Immunology (LJI), since the head of development at LJI was a member of ARCS. As such, in her role with GAI, Sandy reaches out to organizations and people involved in autoimmune diseases, including those related to Parkinson's and Alzheimer’s.

When asked what she would say to her fellow ARCS MWC members, especially the newer ones, Sandy passionately said, “Stay involved with ARCS!” She emphasized that volunteer work with ARCS MWC is one of the most meaningful things they will ever do and it is extremely important to keep the United States at the forefront of science and engineering. Sandy said from firsthand knowledge that ARCS plays a significant role in making the Scholar Awards into a very personal part of the young scientists’ personal and professional development. The awards not only support them but also promote their ability to share important aspects of science and their research with people with little or no knowledge of science. Such communications skills are vitally important, especially today, since they allow nonscientists to feel a part of—and understand—the excitement of such scientific and engineering achievements!

Note: See below for information on Nikita Sivakumar, the Global Autoimmune Institute ARCS Scholar this year!