Meet Cathy Crosby | “Global Students Science Alliance” Entrepreneur, Writer, Philosopher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cathy Crosby and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cathy, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have always been a risk-taker, following my heart, and often at odds with ‘norms.’ For example, during college, I took off to Germany and worked on an island with school children. My family thought I was mad but its value and warm memories have remained with me always. Returning home, I completed a chemistry degree at a Jesuit university of wall to wall males, at a time when companies said straight to your face that they didn’t hire women. I was also a risk-taker in developing a science program in two L.A. schools, got sponsors to donate materials for experiments, microscopes to see crystals and fascinating specimens, and even a Greenhouse to understand ‘The Greenhouse Effect.’ The reward was a school of children with sparkling eyes, who would spot me coming into the school, and line up to hug me and ask, “When is our next science experiment?”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My life’s work best comes under “other” as it’s had many evolutions. At the time I grew up in the Bronx, girls aspired to be nuns or get married and were not supposed to be “too much.” I excelled in school, was a top notch swimmer, and my mother said I was too tall and too smart for my own good. Although I missed the nun boat, I gravitated towards movements like feeding hungry children, and befriended the civil rights legend, Dick Gregory, who inspired me for a lifetime. After my marriage exploded, I was a single parent of a son and daughter, needing to survive, and took a job at UCLA in the DNA laboratory. When I was paying a parking ticket and noticed a job posted for the County Crime Lab, I holed up in UCLA library to review my long ago science studies, and was hired as a criminalist, identifying narcotics, including the first identification of fentanyl. Later teaching college chemistry, formed the background that led to the 74th Street Science Academy, which during Covid, sitting in my shelter-at-home chair, I re-envisioned as the Global Students Science Alliance, where young minds are encouraged to understand and excel, and connect with children in other countries, as they grow into the guardians of the globe. Perhaps it is my greatest risk-taking yet to collaborate with interested schools, and conduct scheduled experiments that bring the curriculum alive, for young minds eager and able to grasp scientific concepts in depth.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of my favorite Los Angeles spots to share with visiting friends might begin with a simple walk to the beach just blocks away, where people enjoy muscle beach and could even climb up Tarzan-like ropes, or perhaps prefer an actual swing over the sand, looking out at the ocean. We could stroll along the Santa Monica Pier, ride on the Ferris Wheel that overlooks the coast, and stop by Martin the fruit man’s colorful stand, to taste a cup of his “fresca fruit” that looks like a work of art. One day, we’d visit the fabulous Getty Museum with its grand works of art, old bibles, and elegant calligraphy from days gone by. We’d stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, if it’s not too hot, and take a boat ride – kind of a water bus – that sails around the Marina – for free! Olivera Street is a must with fantastic food, and goods from Mexico, handbags, religious icons, and toys for the children. It would be wonderful to visit one of the old California missions like Capistrano or Santa Barbara, where the latter also has the cutest zoo. Finally, we’d have to ride bicycles or, if we’re lazy, sit in seats where the bicycle driver carts you around and plays lively music. Sharing Los Angeles would also include a ride up the coast past Malibu and the sprawling Pepperdine University, up to Paradise Cove, and enjoy calamari shrimp or a hamburger as we keep an eye out for dolphins bobbing up and down in the ocean. On the way home, we’d probably stop at St. Monica’s Church for a moment of gratitude.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to honor 74th Street School, and give credit to teachers and students, whose joy of learning opened the door to a science academy. Given my background in forensics, and as a professor of chemistry, I was invited to conduct a science experiment in my granddaughter’s class. It was so well-received that I offered to include more classes, first, the magnet classes, then, all of the classes. The principal at the time, Karima Gillenwaters, and several wonderful teachers could have rebuffed an outsider but in the interests of the students, I was welcomed with open arms. Some teachers, overloaded with work, said, “When can you start?” Soon, we had a laboratory, worked together to align with the curriculum, and connected lab results to climate change, pollution, energy, nutrition, and learning to answer, “What do YOU think?” The teachers, Theresa Brissett, Dawn McGhee, Dr. King, Dr. Lewis, Dana Scott, Christina Kangas, Lissett Lopez, Ms. Lee, the librarian, Ms. Johnson, and many more, worked hard to prepare their students. At the year’s end, there was a spectacular science week with high level projects and parents proud to see the show. When Covid brought down the curtain, this program was the seed for global expansion and connection of students in other countries and cultures.

Youtube: Professor Ana’s Global Science Students You Tube

Other: I have hundreds of wonderful photos from the school but need to confirm whether or not they’re cleared for publication.

Image Credits
Charisse Sims, PBS Educator & Director of Hidden Gems Pre-School; Professor Ana, Global Students Science Alliance.