Inspiring the Next Generation of Women Scientists

Women represent half of the global population, but they comprise only 33.3% of the world’s researchers, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Despite achieving numerical parity at the bachelor's, master's, and nearly PhD levels of study, the gender gap expands as women advance in their academic careers.

In celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, and as an ongoing commitment, we invited our colleagues to share a significant moment or experience from their STEM journey that has inspired them to encourage and champion the scientists of the future.

“As a young student in school, I was always intrigued by science, which helped me acquire a keen interest in the domain of pharmaceutical formulations. Honestly, indebted to my women teachers who further fuelled my passion and motivated me to pursue a doctorate in Pharmaceutics.

Post completion of my PhD, and with two daughters to take care of, I opted for a career in teaching. The experience was therapeutic and the connection I had with some of the young girls was amazing. This helped me influence them positively towards exploring new challenges in science.

When my daughters were of age, I switched to the industry, and that was a major turning point in my career trajectory. Moving from academia to industry was a key decision, and achieving the right work-life balance was a daunting task. It helped me realise that we, as women, have the power and grit, and we need to unleash it.

I think of all the young women and girls who are enamoured by science but often too intimidated to make a career of it. Hope my experience helps them think more positively.”

“As a young woman in science, I’ve faced many headwinds. I’ve experienced doubt because of my gender, or the colour of my hair, and I’ve been underestimated as to the value I can bring to science. 

For some, this might break down one’s confidence. But I’ve strived to never let this negativity deter me. Rather, it fuels my drive. 

These moments of doubt push me to work harder and prove myself. I hope that every woman in science knows they do not stand alone and that they can do it. My advice: just go for it, believe in yourself, and do what excites you” 

"From a very young age, I entertained myself by making pastries with bread, water, and a couple of empty bowls. Later, I started cooking at home, making cakes and desserts. I realised I was sensitive to smells, I always found out when my mother had changed any ingredient in her recipes. 

When I grew up, I had to choose what I wanted to study. I heard about the Nutrition & Dietetics degree and it caught my attention. Without really knowing why, I went for it, and I really enjoyed it! 

Then, I wanted to complement my studies, so I studied Food Technology. At the end of my university period, I had the opportunity to do an internship at a Science & Cooking research centre, where I spent some months living and working with other scientific professionals (chemists, biologists, nutritionists…) and chefs. Each one of us provided a complementary vision to the projects we worked on. It was at that moment when I discovered the magic of sciences applied to food, and since then, this collaborative hands-on approach has been part of my life. 

I encourage the next generations of girls to follow their instinct, pursue opportunities and not hesitate to try different experiences that can propel their careers and bring them closer to their passion."

"As a woman in STEM, my journey exemplifies resilience and determination, in navigating a non-diverse field. Embracing my cultural identity, we transform challenges into opportunities, inspiring others facing similar hurdles. Being a woman in STEM provides unique perspectives that enrich collective knowledge. I aim for my experiences to inspire the next generations, emphasizing diversity as a catalyst for innovation. 

For Ronnisha, a high school intern in our Miami Lab, witnessing someone like me succeed in STEM encourages her to question, fostering curiosity and a sense of belonging in our communities. This reinforces STEM as an inclusive space for everyone. 

Sharing my journey is a commitment to breaking stereotypes, and encouraging women and girls to pursue their STEM passions. The future of science shines brighter with diverse voices, and I aspire to be an inspiration for those who feel underrepresented in these fields, contributing to a more inclusive and vibrant scientific community."

"I consider myself very lucky. Thanks to my mother’s passion for science, I realised my own and decided to follow the same path. 

She had a bachelor’s degree in chemistry but never worked in the field, nevertheless, she always told me that I could go anywhere and be whatever I wanted. So, I proceeded and crossed paths with many intelligent women along the way, all committed to delivering the right results with the finest quality. They were my bosses, my coworkers, and my friends (I've only had one male direct boss in almost 12 years of my career!). 

I am lucky to have so many examples of intelligent women who were not afraid to speak out loud when they knew the answers and share their knowledge with me, a list that started with my mom! Thus, I do the same, and hope to encourage other women and girls to believe that knowledge is for everyone and that everyone has something to say and every voice deserves to be listened to."

"My journey and career path with STEM has not been a traditional one. Through hard work, perseverance, and continuous pursuit of elevating my technical knowledge and career potential, I was able to position myself to find a career that I am passionate about. It was not one pivotal moment, but a collection of moments and experiences that have shaped my career: Building relationships with strong leaders and mentors, the satisfaction of helping others by providing solutions for their needs and taking advantage of opportunities that intrigued and inspired me are amongst the most notable. My hope for the next generation of women and girls in science is that my untraditional career path will inspire others to pursue their passion regardless of how their journey begins."

“I was fortunate to have been raised in an environment and community that fostered a strong interest in science. Being consistently surrounded by inspirational women from a young age fueled my growing interest in science as I progressed through my educational journey. 

Starting with a focus on biology and later delving into the toxicological aspects of science, I gained an appreciation for the intricacies of the risk assessment of chemical substances. I came to realize that the crucial aspect was to remain receptive to new, well-supported scientific data and continue the learning process to ensure proper business development. 

Transitioning into regulatory affairs was a natural progression for me. While this field may not be widely recognized outside of the industry, it plays a crucial role in ensuring product compliance worldwide. 

Playing a significant role in this rapidly evolving aspect of the industry, I had the opportunity, thanks to IMCD, to spend six months in Japan. This experience aimed at supporting our global Japanese key suppliers in their comprehensive knowledge of the EU cosmetic regulation. This highly contributed to strengthening our relationship and ensuring a closer partnership. 

As a woman, I’m proud to have actively contributed to an essential aspect of our Beauty and Personal Care business development thanks to this unique experience." 

"I’ve had multiple experiences in my education journey, which have shaped my career. I think the most important moments have been with teachers who inspired and believed in me. The people who had the patience and understanding to explain things I didn’t understand and those who wanted to discuss what choices I have for my career and how to achieve them.  

I realized the importance of these more humane skills when I taught a chemistry laboratory course for freshmen at my university. At the start of the course, many students, just like myself when I was a freshman, didn’t think they could understand chemistry and were stressed about the course. But by being encouraging, patient, and explaining things multiple times if needed, I saw how they started to learn. And more importantly, how their self-esteem as a student grew. We all start our journeys by knowing very little about our fields, but with the right people and resilience, we can grow to be experts in our fields of science."

"STEM has been a driving force in my life since my early fascination with math and science, leading me to pursue chemical engineering. Exploring food engineering labs in my final year was pivotal, sparking a passion for food processing that shapes my career today. To my daughter and aspiring young women in STEM, I emphasize that STEM is woven into our daily lives. I encourage them to explore their interests while remaining open to unexpected opportunities, as these may lead to valuable insights and diverse paths toward achieving their goals." 

Estefania Nava - Technical Support Manager, IMCD Mexico 

“My best experience as a woman in science has been the opportunity to contribute to developing healthier proposals that are within reach for the population and that our customers have enough alternatives to improve their products. This can inspire the new generation of women and girls, showing them that they can achieve what they dream of, putting their knowledge and skills at the service of the development of our country.”