Every year on February 11, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science shines a spotlight on the incredible contributions women make to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This year’s theme, “Unpacking Careers in STEM: Her Voice in Science,” invites us to explore the journeys of women in these fields and reflect on the progress made and the work still ahead to achieve true gender equity in science.
To mark the occasion, we sat down with Jess, our Head of Science Programs at FutureTech, who is currently studying glycomics and the gut microbiome, to ask her some questions about her experience as a woman in science.
Jess’s insights offer a candid look at the challenges, rewards, and endless curiosity that come with a career in science.
Her words are a reminder that while the STEM landscape has evolved, the voices of women remain as essential as ever in shaping its future.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career/study in science, and how did you choose your specific field?
A: Throughout school I loved how maths and science always seemed quite black and white and the consistent patterns that it had. This made me want to study science at uni, with a focus on human science because I also loved learning about the human body works.
I must admit, however, I kinda stumbled into the area that I’m studying now! During my undergrad, I was trying to get into medical school and took any opportunity that was presented to me to try and boost my application portfolio. One of which was an internship with a researcher at my uni, looking into how a brain disorder and the gut bacteria interacted. I LOVED this internship and the possibilities within this field and the seemingly unknown role it has on our health. Over the years of both undergrad and post-grad study, I realised that my true passion and skillset wasn’t matched for medicine, but rather research and science-education.
I have never stopped loving the endless possibilities that the gut microbiome poses in human health since that internship. Whilst the plan of what I wanted to go into has changed over the years, my curiosity and fascination in everything human-related has allowed me to experience opportunities that I otherwise would have never had.
Q: Have you faced any challenges as a woman in science, and how did you overcome them?
A:The first time I ever truly noticed that STEM wasn’t built for women was in high school, where I was one of 4 girls in my physics and chemistry classes. Whilst this didn’t seem like an issue at the time, it was my first introduction to the systemic sexism that permeates science. Whilst I am incredibly fortunate that my lab groups are roughly 50/50, there has been many of a time when I’ve been one of a small handful of women in a room of men, when my voice hasn’t been listened to, and my ideas dismissed.
It is always initially disheartening to experience, but I’ve found being assertive, being outspoken and not being afraid to be seen as a “bossy or annoying” woman has helped me. I am privileged that I am a white, cis woman whose first language is English, and I know that the backlash I would receive for doing any of the previously stated is much less than anything my non-white and gender non-conforming peers would receive.
Q: What advice would you give to young girls interested in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM)?
A: Do NOT let anyone convince you that you are not capable of doing something. The world needs your brilliance, your ideas, your brain. Don’t let anyone convince you that you are not smart enough, that you aren’t strong enough, that you aren’t enough. You are more than enough simply because you are.
Q: Who are the women in science that inspire you, and why?
A: There have been so many amazing women in STEM whose incredible work has been disregarded, stolen, or not seen as “valid work”; Marie Sklodowska-Curie, Rosalind Franklin, Mileva Maric, Katherine Johnson and Temple Grandin.
Whilst STEM still has a way to go to achieve equity between the sexes, the trail-blazing and hard work done by these women has allowed for women and gender-diverse people like myself to be able to participate in science with an ease that they didn’t experience.
This being said, I am equally as inspired by the amazing women I am fortunate enough to work with; Distinguished Professor Nicki Packer, Dr Hasinika Gamage and Dr Emily Don. These are women who are constantly working to empower other women in both research and professionally and whose work helps to decrease the lack of research on women and our health and education. I consider myself so lucky that I am surrounded by such incredible women on the daily.
Q: How has your work/ study in science impacted the way you view the world?
A: Part of my research area is microbiology and the gut microbiome, which looks into the bacteria and bugs that live in your bowels, because of this I see my field of science everywhere. From the importance of hygiene, to your general health, to what you eat, what you touch, etc.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of your journey in STEM so far?
A:Whilst seeing your experiments work and learning new skills is exciting, one of the most rewarding part has been finding like-minded, neurodivergent people!! It’s been so wonderful to finally find a place that my nerdiness and curiosity is finally appreciated.
Q: Can you share something in your field you’re exited to explore further
A: The fields that I’m studying, glycomics and the gut microbiome, are still quite in their infancy. We are still discovering the changes that happen in healthy and diseased states, the impact these changes have on our health, and how we can either prevent or manipulate these changes as treatments against diseases.
These possibilities to better treat and prevent disease is what makes me excited to explore within my fields.
Q: How do you think workplaces and educational institutions can better support women and girls in pursuing science careers?
A: The systemic sexism within STEM permeates all levels of education, from sciences being seen as “boy subjects” throughout primary and secondary school, to the majority of leadership roles within universities being occupied by men, to women researchers receiving less research funding than their male counterparts (Wijnen, M.N, et al, 2021. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s11192-021-03985-0). Whilst there is the largest number of women in STEM than ever before (and getting university education more broadly), we still have a long way to go to achieve true equality.
Emphasising the key role of women in STEM throughout all levels of education, promotion of women to leadership positions, increased emphasis on funding female researchers, and adequate access to maternity leave and childcare are all factors that would bolster women’s and girls’ participation in STEM.
Jess’s experience is a powerful example of how curiosity, resilience, and support can shape a fulfilling career in science.
As we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, it’s essential to recognise the voices of women like Jess whose work not only contributes to groundbreaking research but also helps pave the way for future generations of women and girls in STEM.
And we are so proud of her.