Women in STEM: Researchers & Role Models

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Women in STEM: Researchers & Role Models

Over the years we’ve interviewed many great female scientists for the Hello Bio blog. We love learning about their research, finding out more about their paths into life science, and sharing the advice they have for others.

One question we often ask is ‘Who is your greatest role model in science?’ and the answers are always fascinating. Some choose a classic name from science history, others pick a Nobel Prize-winning researcher, while some select their closest colleague, high school science teacher, or even their parents!

Role models may come in many different shapes and sizes, but one common recurrence we noticed is that female scientists will often name another female scientist who has personally supported them or provided inspiration for them along the way. In the highly competitive world of life science research, it’s always heart-warming to see women in STEM lifting each other up and supporting each other in this way.

So, to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science we’ve picked out some great statements of recognition from previous interviewees. This article aims to shine a light on some successful female scientists and the women who’ve provided the encouragement, support and influence to help them reach their full potential!

Pictured: (l-r) Dr Camila Scorticati and Rocío Gutiérrez Fuster

Rocío Gutiérrez Fuster is a PhD candidate at IIB-UNSAM-CONICET in Argentina who was recently named a ‘highly commended’ nominee in our annual Lab Heroes Awards competition. In her interview with us, we asked who her own lab hero was, and she named Dr Camila Scorticati as her mentor and the scientist who has inspired her the most.

Dr Scorticati works as an independent investigator in Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, and Rocio told us:

My director, Dr. Camila Scorticati, has been a great mentor and role model throughout my career. Her dedication to science and her perseverance in seeking funding to continue our research, especially during challenging times, is truly inspiring. Rocío Gutiérrez Fuster on her mentor Dr Camila Scorticati

Pictured: (l-r) Dr Valentina Greco and Rachel Perry

Rachel Perry is an Associate Professor at Yale University School of Medicine, USA, and was another ‘highly commended’ nominee in our most recent Lab Heroes Awards competition. In her interview with us, she told us why she would choose Dr Valentina Greco as her lab hero.

Dr Greco is an Italian biologist who has won numerous awards for her work on skin stem cells and their role in tissue regeneration. Rachel told us about their collaborative work which was recently published by Nature Cell Biology, and praised Valentina’s dedication to equity and inclusion in STEM:

My lab hero is Dr. Valentina Greco at Yale. Through a longtime collaboration which has just been published online, I have had the chance to work closely with Valentina and see the steady, graceful leadership that she uses in running her lab. I have also seen the tremendous work she does for equity and inclusion of both women and colleagues from historically marginalized backgrounds in science, and I admire it tremendously – as well as her cutting-edge science, of course! Rachel Perry on her lab hero Dr Valentina Greco

Pictured: (l-r) Professor Svjetlana Kalanj Bognar and Kristina Mlinac Jerković

In 2024 we interviewed Kristina Mlinac Jerković of the University of Zagreb for our popular ‘Interviews with Scientists’ feature. Kristina is an Associate Professor who teaches Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry at the university’s School of Medicine, and during the interview we asked her to tell us who has been her most influential mentor. Kristina named Professor Svjetlana Kalanj Bognar as the person who has had the biggest influence to date.

Professor Bognar is a PI specialising in Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology, and is also Editor-in-Chief of the Croatian Medical Journal. Kristina explained why Svjetlana’s mentorship has meant so much to her:

Definitely my most influential mentor has been my PhD thesis mentor, Professor Svjetlana Kalanj Bognar from School of Medicine in Zagreb. We still collaborate closely. The fact that you want to keep collaborating with someone for years really says a lot about a person. I think she possesses the qualities of absolutely the best imaginable mentors and I hope that at least something has rubbed off on me! Kristina Mlinac Jerković on her PhD thesis mentor Professor Svjetlana Kalanj Bognar

Pictured: (l-r) Katalin Karikó and Caroline Manicam

Caroline Manicam of the University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany, was the winner of the ‘Lab Leader’ category in our Lab Heroes Awards 2023. In our winner’s interview with her, we asked Caroline which scientists working today she admires the most. She named Katalin Karikó as a researcher who she looks up to and considers a true inspiration to others.

Katalin is a Hungarian-American biochemist who won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her work that contributed to the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. Caroline explains why she chose Katalin as the scientist she admires most:

The 2023 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, Katalin Karikó, is someone I greatly admire. The tenacity she exhibited throughout her arduous scientific journey is truly an inspiration to women in science. If I have to highlight just one of her umpteen incredible attributes, I would certainly say that her perseverance in the face of adversity is a quality I try to emulate. Caroline Manicam on her admiration for Katalin Karikó

Pictured: (l-r) Professor Carmen Sandi and Elisa Corti

Elisa Corti is a PhD student at CNC-UC, Portugal who won the ‘Lab Scholar’ award in the Lab Heroes Awards 2023. We interviewed Elisa for our blog and asked her about the scientists she admires most. She told us about her admiration for Professor Carmen Sandi of the Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics at the Brain Mind Institute.

Professor Sandi is a Spanish and Swiss behavioral neuroscientist who has won numerous awards for her research work. Elisa named Sandi as a great role model who works actively to promote equality in science:

Generally speaking, academic life can be hard, so I admire all academic researchers whose passion is strong. I would like to mention a person who is actively trying to remove inequalities: Carmen Sandi. I have had the pleasure of knowing her personally because she was part of the EU-funded consortium Syn2Psy that supported the first three years of my PhD. She is also a founder of the ALBA network, whose goals are to promote the best lab practices possible, to encourage diversity and to give equal opportunities to everyone, especially to people belonging to underrepresented minorities. Beside this, she is also an incredibly professional scientist and a truly warm human being. Elisa Corti on her admiration for Professor Carmen Sandi

Pictured: (l-r) Dr Enitome E Bafor and Uloma Beauty Elvis-Offiah

In 2022, Uloma Beauty Elvis-Offiah was named as ‘highly commended’ in the Lab Heroes Awards competition. Uloma is a doctoral student at the University of Arizona who told us why Dr Enitome E Bafor has been one of the biggest influences on her career so far.

Dr Bafor is a Research Fellow at the National Cancer Institute, USA with a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences. She is also a previous Lab Heroes Awards winner and Uloma told us why she aspires to be just like her:

A significant woman who has influenced my career path is Dr. Enitome E. Bafor. She oversaw both my undergraduate and master's degrees, and she is a strong and resilient woman who has worked tirelessly to reach the pinnacle of her profession. I aspire to be like her. Uloma Beauty Elvis-Offiah on her role model Dr Enitome E. Bafor

Pictured: (l-r) Dr Christine Grady and Khara Ramos

In 2022, we were lucky enough to interview Khara Ramos of the Dana Foundation about their annual Brain Awareness Week event. During the interview we asked Khara about her greatest role model in science, and she named Dr Christine Grady of the National Institutes of Health as one of her most influential mentors.

Dr Grady is the head of the Department of Bioethics at the NIH and has been celebrated for her work in nursing and clinical research, with a specialization in HIV. Khara explained why Christine has been such a great influence on her career:

I’ve been lucky to have many great mentors over the years. Most recently, I was fortunate to work closely with Dr. Christine Grady, the Chief of Bioethics at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in my former role as Director of the Neuroethics Program at NIH. Christine is incredibly smart, compassionate, and humble. To me she embodies a style of leadership that is unique and valuable. Khara Ramos on her role model Dr Christine Grady

Pictured: (l-r) Rita Levi-Montalcini and Carla D'Avanzo

Thanks to our Podcasts by Scientists series, we were lucky enough to meet Carla D’Avanzo, a neurobiologist who back in 2022 was the co-director of the Science Rehashed podcast. After chatting to Carla about the podcast we also asked her some questions for our Interviews with Scientists feature - including the question ‘Who has been your greatest role model, and why?’. Carla named the great Rita Levi-Montalcini as a person who she has always found very inspirational.

Rita Levi-Montalcini was an Italian neurobiologist who was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and served for 11 years in the Italian Senate as a Senator for Life. Carla expressed her admiration for Rita when she told us:

One of my greatest role models in science is Rita Levi-Montalcini, Italian Nobel Prize winner in Medicine for the discovery of the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). Her perseverance and determination as a female Jewish scientist during the struggles of the Second World War have been very inspirational. Carla D’Avanzo on her role model Rita Levi-Montalcini

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Celebrating women in STEM

For more articles celebrating the life and work of great women in STEM, check out more of our content on the Hello Bio blog:

Who is your female role model in science?

Tell us about your female science role models! Who inspires and encourages you the most? Share in the comments, or on X at @hello_bio!

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Women in STEM: Researchers & Role Models

Women in STEM: Researchers & Role Models

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