Check out the full responses from our team here:
Nour Medjdoub
What inspired you to pursue a career in science? Growing up, I was always surrounded by the world of science and healthcare, both of my parents are doctors, and their dedication to helping others left a strong impression on me. Seeing the impact they had on people’s lives inspired me to pursue a path where I could contribute in my own way. Science felt like a natural choice, offering the opportunity to learn, discover, and improve healthcare practices. While I still have a lot to learn, I’m grateful to be part of a field where I can make a difference, no matter how small.
What advice would you give to young girls who want to enter STEM fields? My biggest advice to young girls interested is to stay curious and persistent. Science can be very challenging, but it is also very rewarding. Never be afraid to ask questions, and believe in your abilities. Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage your growth. The world needs more diverse perspectives in STEM, and no matter how small your contributions can be they can make a real difference.
Manon Randrianantoandro
What inspired you to pursue a career in science? When I was young I didn’t understand how people got sick and why there wasn’t a cure for certain diseases, in my case it was regarding cancer. So, I promised myself to learn about it and get answers, which then lead me to like biology and chemistry. I guess I was curious where I asked a lot of question about anything and everything, and as science is always evolving I enjoyed learning new things, which still continues today.
What’s one thing you’d like to change about the scientific field to make it more inclusive? As someone of mixed heritage, I wish that the scientific field was more inclusive in terms of race and representation. There is still a lack of racial representation in medical textbooks and educational materials, which may lead to misdiagnoses or delayed diagnoses for people of colour. While there have been improvements, addressing this gap remains essential significantly enhance inclusivity and equity in healthcare.
Diversifying leadership is crucial. Having more women, particularly women of colour, in leadership roles within the scientific field ensures decision-making is both inclusive and equitable. This may help to address disparities in funding and resources for researchers from marginalised backgrounds and encourage scientific studies to consistently include diverse populations.
Vanessa Vankerckhoven
What is the best advice you ever received that you often think back on? “You only know as much as what you share”. Knowledge isn’t just about what you personally understand or learn, but also about how you communicate and share that knowledge with others. This mindset fosters true teamwork, builds trust among team members, and ultimately drives innovation in science. Collaboration is essential, as it’s impossible to grasp all available knowledge on your own.
What advice would you give to young girls who want to enter STEM fields? Embarking on a journey in STEM is going to be a thrilling rollercoaster journey with ups and downs, challenges and triumphs. But remember, your contributions to science and technology are not only important but also necessary for driving progress and innovation. Keep striving, stay passionate, and know that you have the power to make a significant impact!
Alejandra Rios Cortes
What inspired you to pursue a career in science? I’ve always been drawn to the connection between design, technology, and human-centered design. Having a career in MedTech allows me to use creativity to solve real healthcare challenges and improve patient experiences. Seeing how good design can simplify procedures, enhance usability and make a difference in people’s lives keeps me motivated.
What has been your biggest challenge at the workplace so far? As an industrial designer working in MedTech, one of my biggest challenges has been bridging the gap between design principles and strict medical regulations. Unlike other design fields, MedTech requires extensive validation, safety considerations, and compliance with standards like CE marking. Learning to balance creativity with regulatory constraints has been an ongoing learning experience, but it has also pushed me to think more strategically and develop innovative solutions within these frameworks.
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate women and girls in science? I think it’s important to celebrate women and girls in science because diversity drives innovation. When more perspectives are represented, we create more inclusive and effective solutions, especially in fields like healthcare, where user experience can directly impact patient safety and well-being.
Encouraging women and girls to pursue careers in science and technology not only helps close the gender gap but also fosters a richer, more collaborative environment where ground-breaking ideas can thrive. Representation matters! it inspires future generations to see themselves in roles where they can make a real impact.
Amélie Donck
What inspired you to pursue a career in science? I’ve always been fascinated by how life works at a microscopic level—how a tiny change in DNA can mean the difference between health and disease. The idea that we can not only understand but also fix things at the molecular level felt like science fiction coming to life. Studying nanobiology at TU Delft showed me how powerful the combination of biology, technology, and engineering can be in tackling big medical challenges. Whether it’s developing new treatments, medical devices or improving diagnostics, I love the idea of using science to make a real impact on people’s lives.
What do you hope to achieve in your career in the next 5-10 years? In the next five to ten years, I see myself working at the intersection of bioengineering and medicine, either in a cutting-edge research lab or an innovative medtech company. I want to help develop technologies that bring personalized medicine closer to reality, whether through gene therapies, molecular diagnostics, medical devices, or AI-driven drug discovery. I also want to keep learning—maybe through a PhD in bioengineering—so I can deepen my expertise and contribute in a meaningful way. Most of all, I hope to be working on something that excites me every day, collaborating with brilliant people to solve real-world health challenges.
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate women and girls in science? Science thrives on different perspectives, and having more women in the field means more innovative ideas, fresh ways of thinking, and better solutions to complex problems. But historically, science hasn’t always been the most welcoming space for women, and that needs to change. Seeing scientists like Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier leading breakthroughs in genome editing has been incredibly inspiring, and I think celebrating women in science helps encourage the next generation to step in with confidence. For me, it’s about making sure that anyone with curiosity and passion feels like they belong in this field—because the best discoveries come when we have all voices at the table.
Veerle De Colvenaer
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self about pursuing science? I should have taken that optional immunology course in the last year of my masters, especially since afterwards I pursued a PhD in immunology.
What has been your biggest challenge at the workplace so far? It is a cliché, but the biggest challenge is the combination of my kids running in several issues all at once, preferably during office hours and important meetings, while my husband is abroad. Second in line: children that do well in sports competition, requiring you to attend and cheer for them on the side-line and driving to many trainings, and thirdly, on a different topic: you are often not taken as serious or as credible as male counterparts.
What are you proud of? I’m proud of always coming back in the game after difficult challenges or losses. Never give up and always grow stronger.
What is the best advice you ever received that you often think back on? Do not interrupt people 🙂 and never take everything personal.
Where do you see the future of women in science? To me it is the best person – position fit that matters. So I see women in the positions they best fit in, ambition-expertise and team wise.
What skills do you think are essential for success in science today? For me collaboration is key. You do not need to tackle everything yourself. Have a great network at home to support you (like family that can drive your children around 😉) and also at work, embrace collaborations with people you can learn from, and that pick up where you have to let go, for what ever reason it is (lack of knowledge, lack of time, other priorities,…) . Look for the complementarities.
José Tijsen
What inspired you to pursue a career in science? Combination of theoretical and practical work that impacts daily life.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self about pursuing science? Follow your passions. Stay open-minded and view the unknown as an opportunity.
What has been your biggest challenge at the workplace so far?Balancing family and career.
What are you proud of? My family, earning my PhD, launching prenatal and molecular diagnostic products, and building a strong network.
What is the best compliment you have ever received from employees or colleagues? “It’s great working with you, I learned a lot from you.”
What is the best advice you ever received that you often think back on? Learn from the past, don’t overthink, and look forward.
What do you hope to achieve in your career in the next 5-10 years? Inspire others, maintain work-life balance, and find a role that leverages my expertise and brings positive energy.
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate women and girls in science? It highlights the significance of science and the vital roles and opportunities for women and girls.
Where do you see the future of women in science? A more balanced representation at all levels of science.
What’s one thing you’d like to change about the scientific field to make it more inclusive? Recognize and reward successful women in science as role models for younger generations. Move more women as science teachers at schools.
What advice would you give to young girls who want to enter STEM fields? Go for it. Follow your passion for science.
What skills do you think are essential for success in science today? Know your subject, effectively pitch your ideas, and enjoy your work.
Arya Mehta
What inspired you to pursue a career in science? Science, to me, is not just about facts and figures—it’s about discovery, innovation, and making a difference. The idea that I can contribute, even in a small way, to advancing knowledge and improving lives is what truly inspires me to pursue this path.
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate women and girls in science? When young girls see successful women in science, they are more likely to believe that they, too, can pursue careers in STEM. Encouraging diversity in science leads to new perspectives, fresh ideas, and innovative solutions.
Danielle Pasmans
What inspired you to pursue a career in science? I pursued a career in science as science and innovation play a crucial role in improving our lives by for example the discovery of life-saving treatments and vaccines.
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate women and girls in science? By highlighting the achievements of women in science we can inspire next generations to enter STEM fields.
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Reference:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day/
