By SHAWN P. O'LEARY
Forum Editor
 

We began to converse as my smoked turkey on whole wheat arrived. I began by asking Abrahamsen to describe her experience as a biology professor.

She stated that she felt that any differences between a biology professor and a professor of another field are minor, and that people who choose to teach do so out of an affinity for teaching. In large part she enjoys the interaction with students, as well as learning from the research that they do in her classes. Abrahamsen concluded, however, by saying that "it has traditionally been more difficult for women in the science field than men."

As an undergraduate, Abrahamsen said that she had always leaned toward the sciences, all the while considering medical or veterinary school as possible career options. Ultimately she decided upon graduate school, as "it provided a creative outlet and provided me the possibility of teaching science."

She attended graduate school at the Medical College of Pennsylvania, which, prior to her enrollment, was known as the Woman's Medical College. The Medical College of Pennsylvania had only recently began to admit men and focus on other sciences and career pursuits.

Abrahamsen said that at times it was difficult, and that, "there were varying ideas between what women and men could do in the sciences."

As an example, she described a male colleague who was married and had a young child, which drew support and admiration from his colleagues and faculty. When Abrahamsen announced that she was soon to marry, she was approached by the head of the lab and told that she was not truly dedicated to science if she was considering starting a family.

Abrahamsen, taking her research with her, later moved to Maine and enrolled in the University of Maine at Orono's graduate program. It was at Orono that Abrahamsen said she encountered a female mentor in her field, to whom she "owes a lot of success."

Abrahamsen believes that everyone should find a mentor in their respective fields, and that this is of particular importance to encourage women to break into the scientific community.

Abrahamsen first came to Bates in 1981 to fill in for a professor on sabbatical. Abrahamsen said she felt perfectly at home in the department. She said, "I was treated like an equal, and always felt that my voice was heard." She went on to say that her first experience with collegiate teaching was challenging and felt like "baptism by fire".

During her one year at Bates, Abrahamsen befriended another microbiologist, Pam Baker, who was working on her post-graduate research for the University at Buffalo.

Following their year at Bates, both kept in contact with one another. Later, a tenure track position for a microbiologist became available at Bates and both applied for the position.

Rather than competing against one another for a single position, they proposed sharing the position, thereby providing more time for each to do research. The department accepted the proposal, assigning them a joint laboratory and office.

Abrahamsen reflected on the thought that a split position would provide each with more time to conduct research was a misconception. She said that the available time becomes consumed by other obligations such as being the chair of the medical studies program and supporting student activities.

Abrahamsen felt that her family was supportive towards her career goals. She claimed that her family pushed her to attend college, which at the time was very rare for women.

Her family now includes her husband, a local physician, and her 13-year-old daughter. Of her daughter, Abrahamsen said, "I am very blessed to have such a great kid. She is responsible, with a wonderful sense of humor."

If she had to chose one word to describe her family she would choose "hectic."

Last semester she took sabbatical leave, but remained in the Lewiston area.

Although Abrahamsen purposefully left most of her time open, she found that most of what she did related to teaching, including helping develop a curriculum for the high school and volunteering at elementary schools.

Abrahamsen enjoys the challenge of trying to make people realize that everything they do is related to science, and helping to make them feel confident enough to approach science. She is also committed to keeping children, especially girls, interested in science.

With only a few minutes to spare for my amateur attempt at photography, she left for campus, commenting on the beautiful day and wishing that she had time to enjoy it.