This year marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science—a day dedicated to recognising the vital contributions of women in STEM and promoting gender equality in scientific fields. As SYNTHEMA celebrates this milestone, we reflect on the progress made and the challenges that remain.
From curiosity-driven childhoods to pioneering careers, women in STEM continue to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and redefine what’s possible. To highlight their experiences, we spoke with eight inspiring professionals from our consortium, who shared their motivations, challenges, and advice for young girls aspiring to enter the field.
What first inspired you to pursue a career in science or medical science?
Lucrezia Frillici (Università di Bologna): Although my background is in law, I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of science, technology, and regulation – especially in areas that directly impact human health. Working closely with scientists in an applied physics department deepened my appreciation for the complexity of medical research and the importance of legal guidance in its development.
Anne-Laure (Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris): Curiosity above all and a thirst for knowledge.
Anna Collado Gimbert (Vall d’Hebron Research Institute): Since I can remember I have had a natural curiosity and love for learning new things. As a kid I was always asking “why” or “how” about all kinds of phenomena. I fondly remember the visits to my paediatrician and nurse. I was deeply impressed by their kindness and how they always had answers for everything, capable of calming both me and my parents with just a few words. When I was older, I realised that Medicine has the perfect blend between science, problem-solving and community service.
Carolina Carvalho Silveiro (GLSMED): I’ve always been very curious about how things work, especially the human body and nature. Since I was a child, I was that kid who asked endless questions, always wanting to know “why.” Over time, those “whys” turned into a genuine desire to deepen my knowledge and find answers. There came a moment when science stopped being just a way to acquire knowledge and started showing me its potential to bring real change to people’s lives—that’s when it truly captured my interest. What motivates me every day is the possibility of learning more about topics I didn’t even know existed not long ago.
Gisela Muraca (Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca): I wanted to dedicate myself to medical science for as long as I can remember. I always thought of science as a path to help people in need and I really dreamed of being a part of that. I was very into biology since I was a little girl, I liked to read and learn about animals, evolution and how every living thing worked in our world. As I grew up I realized I wanted to pursue a field that both interested me intellectually and allowed me to help others, that’s why I thought Biochemistry was a great choice and I haven’t regretted it since.
Anna Rizzo (Datawizard): My father is a psychiatrist, and he has been involved in the transformation of the Italian mental health system in the 70s under the lead of Franco Basaglia. I have always been fascinated by his work and started very young to read about neurology, psychiatry, and psychoanalysis. Later, going hiking, I got fascinated by the natural world, fauna, flora and natural ecosystems, and eventually decided to become a biologist.
Claudia Sala (Università di Bologna): I’ve always been fascinated by science. I think that having had teachers who supported me was certainly important. Moreover, I was lucky to have a supervisor during my bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD thesis who encouraged me to pursue my career as a researcher. Without this support, I think it would have seemed like an unattainable dream.
Elisabetta Mezzalira (Università degli Studi di Padova): I believe my decision to pursue a career in research was driven by three key traits. I’ve always been deeply curious and fascinated by innovation, motivated to make a meaningful contribution to society, and drawn to tackling challenging problems.
What is one challenge you’ve overcome in your career, and how did it shape the scientist you are today?
Lucrezia Frillici: One challenge has been trying to bridge the gap between the legal world and the scientific community. Legal research is often seen as separate from experimental science, but regulatory frameworks are key to getting medical innovations out of the lab and into real-world applications. At the same time, knowing how a technical system works at a technical level allows it to be regulated fully and effectively. Learning to communicate effectively with medical physicists and researchers, and translating regulatory complexity into practical guidance, has been a crucial growth experience.
Anne-Laure: Do not be stuck on the idea of following a researcher’s path—be open to alternative jobs in research.
Anna Collado Gimbert: Early in my career as a paediatrician, I met a young child that had just been diagnosed with sickle cell disease upon his arrival to Spain at 8 years old. Due to the lack of diagnosis and treatment in previous years, the patient was in a very delicate clinical condition, with severe growth delay and significant cardiopathy. The family was unaware of the disease and was very frightened. We worked in a multidisciplinary manner, side by side with the family. After an intense journey, the patient improved significantly, and now the family has become one of the main sources of support for other families in our clinic. Seeing firsthand the family’s struggles with access to treatments and support systems inspired me to advocate for better resources and awareness for paediatric patients with rare conditions.
Carolina Carvalho Silveiro: In fact, one of the biggest challenges was dealing with self-doubt, especially in the beginning. We often questioned whether we were “good enough” to be in this field. Over time, I realized that doubt is completely normal; what truly matters is how we respond to it. This was an important lesson for me: challenges can be seen as opportunities for growth, and mistakes happen—not because we’ve failed, but because that’s part of the process. Even now, I sometimes question myself, but these ideas are firmly rooted within me. All of this has made me more resilient and open to learning; it has shaped not only my career but also who I am.
Gisela Muraca: I was lucky enough to work in different fields within science: pharmaceutical companies, healthcare facilities and clinical investigation. Even though changing fields was a big challenge at the time and a scary decision to make because I was feeling “safe” in my work, all my experiences provided me with different tools that I can apply today and shaped me into the biochemist I am today, and I’m very thankful for that.
Anna Rizzo (Datawizard): Years ago, I used to feel intimidated by the presence of most male professionals in my working environment, and I was not confident in expressing my opinion. But this was all in my head and passed with experience and age. You must be bold in life, and especially in science!
Claudia Sala: I recently had a small child, and motherhood and managing my baby have certainly been (and still are) a challenge. Maintaining a good work-life balance in research is not easy, but I am fortunate to have a supportive group. This experience has made me realize the importance of this balance, both for myself and for the people I supervise.
Elisabetta Mezzalira: One challenge I’ve overcome in my career is learning to be highly flexible and adaptable to different contexts and challenges. I believe that flexibility and adaptability are at the heart of a scientist’s ability to learn, grow, and overcome obstacles. This mindset has shaped me into a more resilient and resourceful scientist.
What advice would you give to young girls who feel discouraged by statistics about women in STEM?
Lucrezia Frillici: Many fields, including science and law, have historically been dominated by men, but this is fortunately changing. In my experience, I have had the opportunity to work with several women who are respected and successful professionals in the fields of medical research, physics and engineering. I believe that if you are interested in a career in STEM, it is good to have the courage to pursue it and to see yourself as part of the change, rather than being discouraged. Also, the more women there are in these roles, the more balanced and representative the scientific community becomes.
Anne-Laure: Never look at statistics! If I had listened to my high school biology teacher, I would never have pursued a PhD in Virology. Believe in yourself and follow your passion.
Anna Collado Gimbert: Emphasize that their presence in STEM is vital thus their unique perspectives can lead to groundbreaking discoveries and innovations which may have been overlooked or undervalued by the traditional male perspective. Encourage them to focus on their interests and strengths rather than societal expectations. Women joining now in STEM are the ones that are going to change those statistics for the future generations. Encourage them to seek mentors, join organizations or STEM-related clubs. Having a supportive network is very helpful.
Carolina Carvalho Silveiro: Don’t let statistics define what you can or can’t do. Fight for what you believe in, even if everyone around you says otherwise. What truly matters is your passion, your ideas, and your determination. It’s normal to feel discouraged sometimes, but remember—you’re not alone. Find people who support you, look to role models that inspire you, and don’t be afraid to take up space in STEM.
Gisela Muraca: I would encourage young girls to study science because it’s a world not only personally enriching but also allows the creation of scientific communities around the world and it’s very important that as women we take an active participation in these groups.
Anna Rizzo (Datawizard): The numbers are still not on our side, but the world is rapidly changing. While once there were very few women in engineering, for instance, now several faculties have nearly 50% of women or even more. And male schoolmates are great, anyway!
Claudia Sala: I would say that the imbalance between men and women in STEM is, in my opinion, linked to historical and cultural reasons that are increasingly changing.
Elisabetta Mezzalira: I would say, first and foremost, that things are changing, and equality in STEM is steadily improving. Most importantly, pursue what you are passionate about, even if the path seems more challenging at first. Doing what you love will always be worth it.
The future is bright
These eight women prove that no obstacle is too great when you have curiosity, determination, and a passion for discovery. Their stories remind us that the STEM world is evolving, and with more voices and perspectives, it can only become richer and more innovative.
To every young girl out there wondering if she belongs in STEM: you do. Your questions matter, your ideas are valuable, and your presence is essential in shaping the future of science.