WOMEN IN SCIENCE-WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU???

APPRECIATING WOMEN IN SCIENCE

A couple of months ago, in celebration of International Women's Day, I was interviewed and featured in the Women in STEM program dubbed Women and girls as agents of change in STEM organized by the US Embassy, Ghana. It was an honor to be part of the eight great women who were featured. A chat delving into all things career and being a woman in science sparked up after it was posted on Facebook and I got a lot of questions from ladies who are working hard in various science fields expressing concerns that although they are working tirelessly, they still felt as though they are not scientists.

I hardly talk about my profession on my website, but I believe this blog will be very much appreciated by many of us. If you want to take a minute with your morning coffee to read my excerpt and the other amazing features, then you can head here and celebrate alongside us all.

Who is a woman in Science? What is the meaning of STEM? I do not want to give a dictionary meaning or google the definition of these but I want to share with you some phenomenal women who are exceptional at what they do, to learn from what they think about women in science and their experiences as scientists and I believe you will be inspired by their words.

Soheyla Fatehi, Research Scholar (Arthropod Molecular Physiology Laboratory)

Only the seeds which dare to break their shell in the darkness of the soil, dreaming about blooming, can meet the sun. Growing up in a big community and being the youngest of the family, gave me the opportunity to watch lives around me and see how choices we make in delicate moments affect our whole life and also the people around us. So, I aimed my future in a way that could make me a successful and independent individual who could also inspire others to build their lives despite their society, culture, and traditions. The only way to guide and push me forward in what I was dreaming about, was education. I studied as hard and serious as I could, and I did my bachelor’s in Plant Pathology at my hometown university which was one of the most prestigious schools in the country I studied hard to pass the nationwide master’s entrance exam and with a score of 36 out of thousands of participants I started and finished my master’s program in the Entomology at the same school. There was one more step: Ph.D., I aimed to continue my Ph.D. in the top university in my country and I achieved the 5th score out of several thousands of participants nationwide which was a big honor to me. In my second year of Ph.D. I passed my preliminary exams as a key qualification requirement for the travel abroad scholarship and with the invitation letter I had gotten from Kansas State University for a one-year visiting program, I traveled to K-State to accomplish my sabbatical leave and now I am looking forward to graduating and keep going in my path toward being a successful woman in science and education.

“So, I aimed my future in a way that could make me a successful and independent individual who could also inspire others to build their lives despite their society, culture, and traditions.”

Olayinka Olajiga, Graduate Student (Vector-Biology Laboratory \ Arthropod Molecular Physiology Laboratory)

I am a female scientist not because I study science but because science inspires me. Science gives freedom of thought and a sense of exploration that is beautiful. Being a woman in science gives you wings to fly and never stop dreaming, but you will have days when you doubt yourself or fail. Because science knows no boundaries or discriminates based on race, I've met some amazing female scientists who are assisting me in my career path since they understand the struggle. As women in science, we challenge ourselves to push harder in a world of masculine dominance by aiming to level the playing field and offer equal opportunity for all. Over the years, I have learned to always believe in myself and celebrate my little wins because I earned it girl!

“As women in science, we challenge ourselves to push harder in a world of masculine dominance by aiming to level the playing field and offer equal opportunity for all.”

Paulina Maldonado-Ruiz; Postdoctoral Research Associate (Arthropod Molecular Physiology Lab)

I believe we have come a long way in creating a more equal world for both men and women, not only in science and research but overall. However, gender is still relevant to how society values and rewards achievement, including salaries and job opportunities. I believe there are still traditional views on “gender roles” in today’s society. That being said; while I am a woman in science, I think of myself as a scientist (no label), and as such, I want to believe that others perceive me in the same way, with equal capabilities, like any other scientist whether it be a male or female. I am simply a scientist that happens to be a woman. While in today’s society we are being better at promoting and recognizing women in science and professionals, which is probably needed, I believe that my “personal” role as a scientist is to continue doing what I am passionate about without hesitation and with no special recognition for being a woman. This will inspire and encourage other young women to follow their passion without thinking about a “label”, in doing so; I believe I promote equality and assurance to other women in science that they have the same capabilities, and are entitled to the same opportunities as any other scientist

“While, I am a woman in science, I think of myself as a scientist (no label)”

Hannah Quellhorst; PhD Candidate (Stored product pest management; Department of Entomology / USDA-ARS)

I knew I was going to be a female scientist of the future, in 6th grade! I was given the scholarship to attend a science camp for girls and I was able to do experiments and explore the natural world under the guidance of female scientists from the local community. I just didn’t yet know what kind of scientist I wanted to be. By the summer of 8th grade, I decided to sign up for the 4-H program and join a project. I chose the entomology project because I thought that collecting bugs would be a lot of fun. I was having too much fun and the retired scientist who ran the project said, “You know you can do this for a living right?” I believed him and decided I would become an entomologist just as I entered the 9th grade. I stuck to my plan and I applied to Purdue University. I said, “If I don’t get into Purdue I am not going to college.” I more than got in, I went on to graduate with my B.S. in 3.5 years, and jumped right into a master’s degree in stored products entomology. I grew a passion for global food security after participating in the last Borlaug Summer Institute on Global food security. Now I find myself at Kansas State University with only one year left of my Ph.D. on improving postharvest management of maize. I have given talks all over the world, to audiences I never dreamed I would have. I have completed research in Haiti and will complete my Ph.D. research in Mexico and Greece. I went from one of the shyest girls you could imagine in grade school, to a powerful female scientist of the future. That future is now. Being a woman in STEM comes with its challenges. But for me, the true joy of my work comes when I can help the next generation realize their dreams of being in STEM and encourage them to pursue a career in science, maybe even Entomology.

“I went from one of the shyest girls you could imagine in grade school, to a powerful female scientist of the future.”

Well, there it is!!!! I am so grateful to these ladies for sharing such inspirational words with us. I believe just as I have become overly motivated by them, you will also gain the much-needed understanding of what it is to be a woman in science. I would like to know what you think of women conquering and making the world turn around with their amazing scientific work. And while we are doing that, I would like our male counterparts to be our support system and work together for a better world at large. Also, I want to hear from you in the comment section; what motivates you, and what your experiences are as a scientist?