Alice Isenberg, Chief Engineer, Biomedical Division Innovation,
The MITRE Corporation, is our November member of the month. This distinguished professional began her 22-year FBI career as a forensic DNA analyst, eventually rising to Section Chief and Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI Laboratory, where she supervised critical forensic programs and responses to some of the nation's most high-profile crime scenes. Let's read all about her!
Q&A with Alice Isenberg
Q: Tell us about your background and where you currently work.
I have a BA in Chemistry and Mathematics from Vanderbilt University and a MS and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Virginia. I began my 22-year career with the FBI Laboratory as a forensic DNA analyst and later became the Section Chief of the Biometrics Analysis Section in the FBI Laboratory, supervising the FBI's DNA and Latent Print programs, as well as the National DNA Database. In 2014, I became the Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI Laboratory, managing over 750 employees performing forensic laboratory analysis for over 5000 cases per year. I also supervised forensic response to major crime scenes such as the San Bernardino Mass Shooting, Las Vegas Route 91 Festival shooting, Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, and an average of 40-50 other crime scene responses per year.
In 2020, I shifted from working for the federal government to MITRE, a systems engineering company that manages Federally Funded Research and Development Centers for the US government. During my second career at MITRE, I served as the Chief Engineer for work supporting the Department of Health and Human Services and have worked on projects with the US Army Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center and the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). I recently transitioned into biotechnology work in the national security sector at MITRE.
Q: How long have you been an IWF member?
I have been a member of IWF for 2 years, but was first introduced to IWF through the IWF Leadership Fellows program in 2019.
Q: How has your career benefited from being an IWF member?
As a result of the IWF Leadership Fellows program, my leadership skills and capacity for self-reflection grew immensely. I also made 30+ friends from around the world with wildly diverse backgrounds, but shockingly similar hearts and minds who will be life-long mentors and supporters of my career and well-being.
Q: What excites you the most right now?
As I approach retirement, I am excited by the opportunities to promote careers and leadership in STEM for young women and tutor adults and non-English speakers in reading to improve their literacy as well as achieve their individual goals.
Q: What are you reading or listening to?
In the realm of nonfiction, I really enjoyed "The New Menopause" by Mary Claire Haver. It is evidence-based and helped me understand the complexity of menopause and the options available. A recent fiction book that was outstanding to me was "The Names" by Florence Knapp. It deals with the very difficult topic of domestic abuse as described in three alternate storylines, each based on the mother's choice of name for her newborn baby.
Q: Any tips or advice for new members?
Participate in activities and network! It's difficult to squeeze in activities with a full-time job and other obligations, but my cup is always filled after I attend IWF functions. I also highly encourage attending a World Leadership or Cornerstone Conference. The conferences are so well-curated and truly leave you invigorated.
Q: What do you like most about being a member?
I love walking into an IWF function knowing that I will meet someone new who does amazing things in her field and hopefully connect with her in a way that is beneficial to us both.
Q: Who/what inspires you?
My paternal aunt, Ann, has inspired me since I was a small child. She was a science teacher and constantly fed my curiosity to learn more about the world by taking me on explorations for mushrooms and wildflowers, or dissecting owl pellets (digested mice skeletons). As I grew older, I saw her chase her dreams and defy society's attempts to define her. She traveled to the U.S.S.R. in the 1980s with a delegation of teachers, visited the Amazon River and Galapagos Islands to expand her knowledge of biology, and even applied to be the first teacher in space. She also taught me about her journey as a young divorcee in the early 1970s, who was thankful to be able to obtain a credit card independently in her name as she navigated the life of a single mother. Throughout my life, Aunt Ann has taught me to chase my dreams; to not be defined or constrained by my gender; and to support the women who come after me in achieving their dreams.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
I love to bake and am currently working my way through Dorie Greenspan's latest book, "Dorie's Anytime Cakes." I also enjoy waterskiing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding at the lake.
The MITRE Corporation, is our November member of the month. This distinguished professional began her 22-year FBI career as a forensic DNA analyst, eventually rising to Section Chief and Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI Laboratory, where she supervised critical forensic programs and responses to some of the nation's most high-profile crime scenes. Let's read all about her!
Q&A with Alice Isenberg
Q: Tell us about your background and where you currently work.
I have a BA in Chemistry and Mathematics from Vanderbilt University and a MS and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Virginia. I began my 22-year career with the FBI Laboratory as a forensic DNA analyst and later became the Section Chief of the Biometrics Analysis Section in the FBI Laboratory, supervising the FBI's DNA and Latent Print programs, as well as the National DNA Database. In 2014, I became the Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI Laboratory, managing over 750 employees performing forensic laboratory analysis for over 5000 cases per year. I also supervised forensic response to major crime scenes such as the San Bernardino Mass Shooting, Las Vegas Route 91 Festival shooting, Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, and an average of 40-50 other crime scene responses per year.
In 2020, I shifted from working for the federal government to MITRE, a systems engineering company that manages Federally Funded Research and Development Centers for the US government. During my second career at MITRE, I served as the Chief Engineer for work supporting the Department of Health and Human Services and have worked on projects with the US Army Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center and the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). I recently transitioned into biotechnology work in the national security sector at MITRE.
Q: How long have you been an IWF member?
I have been a member of IWF for 2 years, but was first introduced to IWF through the IWF Leadership Fellows program in 2019.
Q: How has your career benefited from being an IWF member?
As a result of the IWF Leadership Fellows program, my leadership skills and capacity for self-reflection grew immensely. I also made 30+ friends from around the world with wildly diverse backgrounds, but shockingly similar hearts and minds who will be life-long mentors and supporters of my career and well-being.
Q: What excites you the most right now?
As I approach retirement, I am excited by the opportunities to promote careers and leadership in STEM for young women and tutor adults and non-English speakers in reading to improve their literacy as well as achieve their individual goals.
Q: What are you reading or listening to?
In the realm of nonfiction, I really enjoyed "The New Menopause" by Mary Claire Haver. It is evidence-based and helped me understand the complexity of menopause and the options available. A recent fiction book that was outstanding to me was "The Names" by Florence Knapp. It deals with the very difficult topic of domestic abuse as described in three alternate storylines, each based on the mother's choice of name for her newborn baby.
Q: Any tips or advice for new members?
Participate in activities and network! It's difficult to squeeze in activities with a full-time job and other obligations, but my cup is always filled after I attend IWF functions. I also highly encourage attending a World Leadership or Cornerstone Conference. The conferences are so well-curated and truly leave you invigorated.
Q: What do you like most about being a member?
I love walking into an IWF function knowing that I will meet someone new who does amazing things in her field and hopefully connect with her in a way that is beneficial to us both.
Q: Who/what inspires you?
My paternal aunt, Ann, has inspired me since I was a small child. She was a science teacher and constantly fed my curiosity to learn more about the world by taking me on explorations for mushrooms and wildflowers, or dissecting owl pellets (digested mice skeletons). As I grew older, I saw her chase her dreams and defy society's attempts to define her. She traveled to the U.S.S.R. in the 1980s with a delegation of teachers, visited the Amazon River and Galapagos Islands to expand her knowledge of biology, and even applied to be the first teacher in space. She also taught me about her journey as a young divorcee in the early 1970s, who was thankful to be able to obtain a credit card independently in her name as she navigated the life of a single mother. Throughout my life, Aunt Ann has taught me to chase my dreams; to not be defined or constrained by my gender; and to support the women who come after me in achieving their dreams.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
I love to bake and am currently working my way through Dorie Greenspan's latest book, "Dorie's Anytime Cakes." I also enjoy waterskiing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding at the lake.