South Brunswick Girl Scout Alum Named Brilliant 10 by Popular Science Magazine

From working on obtaining badges as a Girl Scout in South Brunswick to mapping the genomes of an ecosystem, Kendall Park native Mya Breitbart has come a long way. 

For her scientific acumen, Breitbart was recently honored as one of the Brilliant 10 by Popular Science Magazine after mapping the genomes of an entire ecosystem at once. Breitbart, who was an active Girl Scout from the first grade through her graduation from South Brunswick High School, credited the scouts for developing her love of science.

“My troop was very active and hands on," Breitbart said via release. "We did a lot of outdoor activities and a lot of science.” 

Participating in the Girl Scout travel program Wider Ops, before she turned 18-years old Breitbart accumulated an impressive itinerary. She was able to travel to Malaysia to study water, to North Carolina to study sea turtle nesting, and to the Great Lakes to study marine biology.

After earning her Girl Scout Gold Award, Breitbart enrolled at the Florida Institute of Technology to study Marine Biology, followed by earning a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from San Diego State University. Breitbart is now a professor at the University of South Florida.

Having come so far since her time scouting in South Brunswick, Breitbart has returned to her roots with the scouts. She currently manages several programs for scouts in Florida, giving young girls the chance to tour research vessels, meet STEM professionals, and more.

“We know that girls want to make a difference in the world, and it is our job to empower the girls with the skills they need to achieve their dreams," said Ginny Marino, CEO for GSCSNJ. "By introducing girls to STEM programs and role models, we give girls the chance for a bright future where they can do something big.”  

There are currently numerous STEM related programs in New Jersey, including the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) robotics teams, engineering workshops, science exploration and more.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Girl Scouts or how to become a STEM volunteer, visit www.gscsnj.org/join or call 800-582-7692.