Although the number of women entering science and engineering careers has increased dramatically in recent decades, women still face a number of challenges in scientific and technical careers. Women continue to have generally lower salaries than their male counterparts and tend to advance more slowly in their careers, particularly in tenure-track faculty positions. However, the gaps are narrowing and the wealth of career opportunities that are opened with a science, mathematics, or engineering degree make these fields extremely attractive options. Dr. Olsen is a neuroscientist whose research addressed the neural and genetic mechanisms underlying sex differences in the development and expression of behavior. Her career in science policy has spanned multiple federal agencies, the Hill, and the White House. In this talk, she will discuss this multi-faceted career, and she will outline the many ways that the National Science Foundation is working to create opportunities and increase the numbers of girls and women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Additionally , she will address the recently discovered, unusual bonus to women of a career in science: immortality.