Inspiring Leadership in STEM: Michaela Shuler Hatch’s Journey
Salt Lake City, Utah – January 30, 2026
Michaela Shuler Hatch’s passion for helping others began with a personal experience: her grandfather suffered a heart attack when she was young. This pivotal moment led her to focus on health, particularly vascular health, during her college years. It was this drive that brought her to Recursion, a forward-thinking pharmaceutical company.
Currently serving as a Senior Scientist 3 at Recursion in downtown Salt Lake City, Hatch is dedicated to speeding up the delivery of important medicines to patients. Although her initial studies were in vascular health, her current projects cover a wide range of diseases, including fibrosis, vascular biology, and oncology. She has played a significant role in developing treatments now being tested in clinical trials.
Recursion, known as a TechBio firm, applies cutting-edge AI technology to transform medicine. “At Recursion, we balance both technology and biology, which sets us apart from traditional biotech companies,” says Hatch. The firm’s mission is to deeply understand biological processes to enhance patient care.
One of the standout features of Recursion is its commitment to inclusivity, particularly through the Women at Recursion Employee Resource Group (ERG). Hatch co-founded this group to empower women in the company, providing a platform for them to share their experiences and ideas. She expresses that science often involves bold ideas, and her goal is to foster an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
Hatch’s passion for mentoring extends beyond her work at Recursion. Her involvement with the Women Tech Council began during an event where she was inspired by future tech leaders. “Hearing different stories showed me that the challenges we face are shared across many fields, but so are the victories,” she affirms. She also received recognition as a finalist for the 2025 Women Tech Award.
Recursion supports women through initiatives like its Returnship program, which encourages individuals to re-enter the field after taking time off. Hatch admires a colleague who returned to science after raising her children and believes that people with such life experiences can drive meaningful change in the industry.
Alongside her professional commitments, Hatch is also a volleyball coach. She began playing at age 11 and learned valuable communication and teamwork skills, which she applies in her leadership style. “I teach my athletes to experiment with new techniques during practice to foster a growth mindset,” she explains. Hatch emphasizes the importance of planning and prioritization, which she believes students should cultivate early on.
Mentorship has been vital in shaping Hatch’s career. She recalls how supportive teachers and coaches encouraged her curiosity and ignited her love for science. Now, she encourages young girls to seek out mentors, particularly women who have navigated their own paths to success.
In her own words, “Pursue what you love with passion. If it doesn’t excite you, it might not be worth your time. Life is short; make it count by striving to create meaningful change in the areas you care about.”
Michaela Hatch’s story is not just about her individual achievements but also about creating a supportive environment for others to thrive in STEM.
