Celebrating women in science – who inspires you?
Alongside my day job, working as a chemist, my other passion is running a digital platform called Women Transforming Science.
Despite much progress in recent years, women remain an underrepresented group in science. According to figures from the UN, women represent just 33.3% of all researchers, and 12% of members of national science academies are female. No wonder the generally accepted idea of a scientist is a middle-aged, white man.
I often get asked, “why so few?”. A career as a scientist can seem out of reach for many girls and young women who don’t see people like themselves occupying these positions. Having exposure to female role models from the scientific community, at school, among family members, or public figures can be crucial to shape your interests and see yourself as a future scientist.
Personally speaking, my interest in science grew thanks to a fantastic science teacher who went above and beyond her duty to teach chemistry. I was lucky in that respect because some teachers are quick to label kids as not gifted or scarcely talented when they have a hard time grasping difficult scientific concepts.
When we asked our Malvern Panalytical colleagues which women in science have inspired them, many of them told us that, like me, they were inspired to pursue STEM by teachers.
My love of science really started with my high school Advanced Placement biology teacher. She challenged us, inspired us, and we still had fun learning. A significant number of the students in my class went on to get a science PhD and/or a MD.
Verna Frasca, Sector Development Manager – Pharma & Food (Americas)
I was inspired to study physics by my high school teacher who worked in nuclear reactor design before she became a teacher!
Ben Pattison, Group Product Manager
My high school biology teacher, Lourdes Beltran, has been a huge inspiration for me. She challenged us to learn and understand concepts in a way that empowered us and made us enjoy the classroom, lab and stay scientifically curious beyond what we were doing at school. We’ve stayed in touch after all these years; I am so lucky to have her teachings, love and encouragement no matter the time or distance.
Josemar Castillo, Account Manager
Some of my colleagues named renowned, but often underrated female scientists as their source of inspiration. Some of these amazing women are not often known outside of scientific circles.
Hedy Lamarr is a great example of a STEM female – not the obvious one sometimes, but really interesting to find out more about her diverse background
Isla Buchanan, Program Manager
I have read about and drawn inspiration from Rita Levi Montalcini. She was one of few women in the world to be awarded a Nobel Prize in science. Moreover, she has never been afraid of being herself and this is the greatest inspiration.
Giulia Olmeda, Channel Partner Manager
When I was invited to write this blog in honor of the International Day of Women and Girls in science, I wanted to know what we at Malvern Panalytical are doing to inspire young women and girls to get into science. I discovered that we support a number of initiatives aimed at introducing young people, from every socio-economic background to science.
Throughout 2021, we supported the WES Lottie Tour. This initiative aims to inspire and encourage children to think of careers in the STEM field as suitable for everyone.
Malvern Panalytical also actively supports the Young Professionals program. This initiative aims to expose 16-18-year-olds to the workforce and connect them with prospective employers.
Every year, we offer 15 internships to undergraduate scientists, programmers, and engineers to kickstart their careers in STEM. All interns are paid so that young people from every background can take advantage of this opportunity
To conclude, I would like to challenge every reader to play their part in creating an inclusive environment that attracts diverse talent to STEM roles. This was a point made to me recently by Hugo Maule, our Director of R&D Strategic Initiatives, when he told me that, “creating opportunities and an environment that enables diversity in our STEM talent is a challenge in which all of us must play a part”.
Read on to discover more of the women in science who have inspired my colleagues to pursue careers in science.
40 years ago, my Mum was doing cancer research. She shared her love of her work with us, despite the very unfavourable success/fail balance and the slow progress. The work she began 60 years ago with her microscope continues today with our Zetasizer. The tools evolve; the topics remain the same. But, above all, the involvement, the faith, the love that the people who succeeded Mum remain. Thanks to the researchers. Thanks Mum.
Christophe Lasne, Customer Service Contracts & Planning Manager
I have been inspired by Sharon Shattuck, a movie director with an environmental science degree. Her 2020 movie “Picture a Scientist” is a documentary about the challenges that females face when choosing a career in the scientific community. She inspires me to move forward despite what obstacles may stand in the way.
Alison Cronin, Supply Chain & Continuous Improvement Manager
Prof, Alice Roberts – not only for her work in promoting science on TV, but also because of the work she now does as Professor of Public Engagement for the University of Birmingham. I know my daughters have found her engaging… and they are now studying STEM subjects.
Paul Kippax, Sector Marketing Director
There are many female scientists and engineers that I admire. However, someone that has always inspired me is, Dr Alice Petry Gast. Her list of accomplishments is too long to include here, but I can tell you that her work has influenced academic and industrial research alike. The American Institute of Chemical Engineers considers her one of the top 100 “Modern Era” engineers in the US under the category of “Leadership.” She has gracefully balanced life, science and leadership.
Ana Morfesis, Technical Specialist Nanometrics
I’m proud of the achievements of my mother who gained an MSc in microbiology from University College, London in the early 1960s. She went on do work related to screening for inheritable genetic defects. Looking back I’m even more impressed considering society’s attitudes and expectations for women in those days. We’ve come a long way since then but still more to do!
Hugo Maule, Director of R&D Strategic Initiatives
Further reading