By: Niamh Owen-McLaughlin

From salmon ecologists and scientific divers to conservation geneticists and marine biologists, the halls of UW’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences and Marine Biology are filled with women in science.

Some are just beginning their journey with undergraduate degrees while others are pursuing research as retired professors, and we’re celebrating them all and the diversity among them.

For the UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we share thoughts from more than 20 women, about their inspirations, the barriers they’ve overcome, and tips for being women in science.

Inspiration in science

Growing up by the sea, asking questions, collecting things, facing climate anxiety, scuba diving, taking boat trips, attending summer science school – this is just a snapshot of the inspiration that led these women to become scientists.

For Chris Mantegna, giving back to her community through science is important to her. How does she do this? One way is using molecular techniques to study the genes of oysters and mussels and how they are changed by the environment, to ensure the highest quality and cleanliness.

Aisha Rashid met a biotech teacher who demonstrated that solving small-scale climate issues can translate into big impacts. This transported her out of feeling hopeless in the face of climate anxiety to being inspired to take action.

The unknown is what Sarah Yerrace shared as her big inspiration. Science focuses on answering questions, but what about what we don’t even know we don’t know? The excitement of possibilities and questions we don’t even know to ask yet continues to be a big pull for her.

Overcoming barriers

Recurring themes popped up in discussions about overcoming barriers as women in science. Not seeing yourself represented in a male-centric world, notions of imposter syndrome and not being taken seriously as a woman, were just a few of the barriers shared.

For some, these obstacles reinforced their passion and determination to be in science and to carve out a space of belonging. Samantha-Lynn Martinez, who studies marine biology, wanted to bring her Filipino culture and background into science and especially into her passion for science communication.

Kelly Ann Neal shared insight into the idea of imposter syndrome being a systemic issue and one which women shouldn’t be responsible for overcoming. Instead, tackling the inherent issues in the system that makes women feel like outsiders and unworthy should be the focus instead.

“You know yourself best” is what Kat Lasdin shared. Don’t be afraid of the barriers put upon you because of gender, and instead insist and advocate to get the help you need, to get to where you want to be, and to achieve your goals.

Advice for future scientists

Finding and forming a community in your field is essential. Having supportive mentors – especially female leaders – is helping many women to feel welcome and encouraged in their studies and career. Take chances, ask questions, feel confident in your abilities, be passionate, advocate for yourself, were all sentiments shared by the group.

An insightful piece of advice from Kerry Naish, conservation geneticist and director of the UW Marine Biology program, is to get involved in research as soon as possible. Marta Gomez-Buckley, who has returned to academia after 20 years to get her PhD and is an undergrad mentor, said it is important to give back through mentoring to help students pursue their passion for science.

Science is progress

Science is about progress. Seeing women in the student body, being taught by female professors, working with female researchers and being mentored by female leaders goes a long way to continuing the upward trend of women in science.

Today and every day we celebrate women in science.

A special thanks to all of the women in science who were part of this project: 

Jasmine Armad, Kat Arnet, Emily Bishop, Marta Gomez-Buckley, Juliette Jacquemont, Kat Lasdin, Alyson Liu, Ruimeng Liu, Chris Mantegna, Samantha-Lynn Martinez, Katherine Maslenikov, Natalie Mastick, Katie McElroy, Kerry Naish, Kelly Ann Neal, Quynhnhu Nguyen, Aisha Rashid, Haila Schultz, Frieda Taub, Vera Trainer, Usha Varanasi, Sophia Wassermann, Sarah Yerrace, Marie Zahn