24/7 BIOPHARMA - issue 1 / October 2024

WOMEN IN SCIENCE

Have you observed or experienced any barriers to gaining opportunities that support career progression in the pharmaceutical field? (For example, how individuals are selected for involvement in international activities, team leader, committees, etc). Yes, I have observed that proximity to higher-ups or being part of the same social circle can sometimes increase your chances of being selected for certain roles, even if someone else is more qualified for the task. It can be frustrating to see individuals promoted due to personal connections rather than their capabilities, especially when more deserving candidates are overlooked simply because they aren’t as close to decision-makers or have the correct gender. As I mentioned before, for our mental well-being, we must focus on doing our best, regardless of the circumstances. Does your place of work put emphasis on diversity and inclusion and promote the concept of women in leadership? My workplace does have diversity leadership should be based on skills and qualifications, rather than gender. I do not support the idea of promoting someone to leadership solely because they are a woman. However, I strongly believe that if a woman is the best candidate for a leadership position and demonstrates qualities like professionalism, in addition to politeness and approachability, she should absolutely be chosen for the role. and inclusion policies in place. I believe in meritocracy, where How important is networking among women in the pharmaceutical industry both as a way to advance careers, but also as a way for these issues to be discussed? In my opinion, having a well established network of women is crucial, not only for advancing our careers, but also for providing

20 years in academia. This transition required a significant change in mindset – from focusing on basic science to a more applied approach, with the ultimate goal of testing compounds that could reach clinical trials and save lives. This shift felt much more tangible compared to my previous work in academia. Even though I am still rooted in science, I had to adapt, learn new skills and embrace new challenges. What types of skills do women in the pharmaceutical industry need to develop or improve upon? Women often bring qualities such as sensitivity, politeness and empathy – skills that I value and that help create welcoming environments. However, I believe it’s important for us to learn how to assert ourselves more, say “no” when necessary and confidently express our opinions, and vision. A balance of empathy and assertiveness would likely be even more appreciated in both personal and professional settings. Who inspired you, as a younger woman and what advice would you give to young women aspiring to follow your path? As a young woman, I was greatly inspired by my neuropharmacology professor. His passion for the brain and neuropsychiatric diseases was evident in the way his eyes lit up whenever he discussed exploring new pathways to better understand and treat these burdensome disorders. I was also fortunate to have an incredible Post-Doc supervisor, who was focused, persistent and incredibly knowledgeable about every project in her group. She had an extraordinary ability to connect the dots between more than ten different ongoing projects. Both of them were tireless and deeply passionate about their work. My advice to young women is to find mentors who inspire you and to embrace persistence. Love what you do, be focused and don’t be

afraid of challenges. Passion and determination can help you overcome any obstacles along the way. What career path led you to this prestigious role at Sygnature Discovery After completing my Master’s, PhD and three Post-Docs, I became a Principal Investigator, Group Leader and Associate Professor, with a research focus on metabolism and epigenetic deregulation in neurological disorders. During this time, I gained invaluable experience by building my lab from scratch. I handled multiple roles, serving as my own secretary, lab manager, finance consultant and researcher. I successfully secured grants, fellowships for students, and organised international workshops, while also seeking out partnerships undergraduates in biochemistry (to medical, nursing and speech therapy students), delivered lectures to postgraduates and supervised students – an activity I enjoyed most. This diverse experience, managing multiple responsibilities while maintaining my passion for research and teaching, eventually led me to my current role as Principal Scientist at Sygnature Discovery. How important is it to educate and mentor emerging female leaders in the industry? I believe educating and mentoring emerging female leaders in the industry is just as crucial as it is in academia. It’s essential to demonstrate respect for our work, lead by example and always strive to do our best. We need to show that women can earn respect from their peers, have a strong voice and be just as capable as their male counterparts. By mentoring and supporting emerging female leaders, we help create a more inclusive and balanced industry where talent and hard work are the primary measures of success. and collaborations abroad. At the same time, I lectured

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TWENTYFOURSEVENBIOPHARMA Issue 1 / October 2024