Scientect

When I think of women in science, I do not think only of awards or breakthroughs that make headlines. I think of persistence of experiments repeated countless times, of results that do not align with expectations, and of the quiet resolve required to continue anyway.

For many women, science has never been about visibility alone, but about integrity, curiosity and endurance.

History reminds us that scientific progress has often depended on women whose contributions were critical, yet insufficiently acknowledged. Lise Meitner, for example provided the theoretical explanation for nuclear fission, which is a discovery that reshaped modern physics. Despite her indispensable role, recognition largely bypassed her. Her story illustrates a recurring truth in science whereby impact does not always coincide with credit.

Another similar figure is Emmy Noether, whose work laid the mathematical foundations for much of modern physics. Her theorem, linking symmetry to conservation laws, remains central to our understanding of the physical universe. Although Albert Einstein described her as a creative genius, Noether spent years working without formal recognition. Her legacy is a reminder that scientific brilliance can endure even in silence.

In the life sciences, this pattern is equally evident. Barbara McClintock, a geneticist, discovered transposable elements, known as ‘jumping genes’. At the time, her findings were dismissed as implausible. Rather than abandon her conclusions, she trusted her data. Decades later, her work was validated and celebrated. McClintock’s story resonates data. McClintock’s story resonates strongly with anyone who had to defend unexpected results in the face of doubt.

As someone who has worked in antiviral research, I find deep inspiration in June Almeida, a virologist who first identified coronavirus using electron microscopy. Largely self-taught and often underestimated, her work laid the groundwork for our understanding of viral structure where knowledge that became critically important many years later. Almeida’s career is a powerful reminder that science often reveals its significance long after the work is done.

Another modern figure who exemplifies the responsibility of science Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, co-discoverer of HIV. Beyond the discovery itself, her work transformed our understanding of viral transmission and global health. She represents a model of science that is rigorous, ethical and deeply connected to human wellbeing.

These women form a lineage of quiet revolutions, and it is within this lineage that I situate my own journey. My research has involved studying the antiviral potential of plant-based extracts against respiratory viruses. Like much experimental science, the work was marked by uncertainty. Some extracts demonstrated antiviral effects, while others revealed toxicity. Not every result was promising, but every result was informative.

Science has taught me that failure is not a detour from progress, it is just a part of the process.

As a scientist, we trained to embrace failures first before any new breakthroughs. Each unexpected outcome sharpened my understanding and reinforced the importance of evidence over expectation. In this sense, I feel connected to scientists like McClintock and Meitner, whose work demanded patience, discipline and the courage to persist without immediate validation.

Being a woman in science today means inheriting both the struggles and the progress of those who came before us. Unlike earlier generations, I am not alone. I am surrounded by women who are curious, resilient and committed be it in laboratories, classrooms or even in research spaces.

As a tutor and mentor, I also witness the next generation taking shape. I see young girls asking thoughtful questions and beginning to imagine themselves as scientists. It is important that they understand science as it is truly challenging, imperfect and deeply rewarding. The long hours, failed experiments and repeated revisions are not signs of inadequacy but they are signs of belonging.

Women in science do not need to be extraordinary in a mythical sense. We need to be rigorous, curious, and persistent. The stories of Meitner, Noether, McClintock, Almeida and Barré-Sinoussi remind us that progress is often quiet, sometimes delayed but always meaningful. Science has always moved forward with women at its core. The difference today is not our presence but our visibility. When visibility comes, the responsibility comes in to continue asking questions, trusting data and ensuring that those who come after us are seen, heard and valued.

Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!