“It was a very productive discussion,” Lisanti said. “They indicated that they understood our concerns and that it was very important that we all work together so that new programs could be instituted soon.”

Think Tank brainstorm sessions will continue with the next meeting slotted for Saturday. Yesterday’s meeting, held in Lowell JCR, was closed to reporters in an effort to allow participants to share their thoughts without worry, Lisanti said.

In addition to working with the task force, WISHR is also holding the third annual National Symposium on the Advancement on Women in Science.

The conference is of particular relevance this year in light of recent criticisms of the plight of women in science at Harvard.

The four day conference seeks to showcase undergraduate research and bring in experts dealing with representation of women in the sciences, said Onitskansky.

The April symposium, like WISHR’s work in the Think Tanks, aims to provide women with the chance to capitalize on their interest in the sciences, according to Lisanti.

“A strong faculty and peer support system is a critical component of the undergraduate experience,” Lisanti said. “WISHR wants to ensure that such support is available to undergraduate women in science. Our proposals on research, advising, and teaching are designed to make sure that this is the case.”

—Staff writer Ying Wang can be reached at yingwang@fas.harvard.edu.