This week’s Badass Woman of the Week is Jessica Gleba of Meriden, Director of the State of Connecticut’s Division of Scientific Services.
And let’s start with the schooling — because there was A LOT of it! Jessica built a career in forensic science that eventually took her to the top of Connecticut’s state forensic laboratory, where science becomes an essential part of solving crimes and finding answers. We talked with Jessica about what it takes to become a forensic scientist, carving out a career as a woman in science, and the importance of encouraging other women and girls to see themselves in STEM careers. And then there’s the part they don’t necessarily put in the college brochure: you need an iron stomach. This isn’t TV forensics. The evidence is real, the cases are real, and some of what Jessica and her team encounter can be incredibly difficult. But behind every piece of evidence is the possibility that science can help investigators understand what happened — and potentially provide answers for victims and their families. In fact, Jessica was part of the Women in Forensics Forum at Southern Connecticut State University this week, an event highlighting women working in forensic science and giving others a chance to learn about careers in the field. Jessica also talked about the years of education and training that go into doing this work and what it takes to lead the scientists responsible for some of Connecticut’s most important forensic testing. Brains, leadership, a career dedicated to science — and a stomach considerably stronger than ours. Jessica Gleba, you are our Badass Woman of the Week!
