Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Biomedical Science

Started in 2015, International Day of Women and Girls in Science aims to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls in traditionally male-dominated industries, to inspire an increase in gender diversity, a vital component to drive innovation.

At Leeds Beckett University (LBU), we celebrate our students and colleagues daily – so, who better to tell you what it’s like to study, teach and work in science here as a woman than members of our own scientific community?

Deanna Howley, PhD student in Biomedical Science

Deanna is currently a final year PhD student in Biomedical Science, researching how platelets interact with colorectal cancer cells to promote metastasis, and how statins can reduce this interaction. She is also interested in how known drugs can be used to treat or manage conditions they weren’t originally developed for.

Why did you choose to study at Leeds Beckett?

I went to a different university and decided I’d rather be closer to home. My mum suggested Leeds Beckett because it was commutable and had multiple pathways within the BSc Biomedical Science course.

Since then, I haven’t looked back. I was fortunate enough to be offered a PhD position at the end of my undergraduate degree.

What challenges have you experienced in your career as a woman in science and how have you overcome them?

The biggest challenge is feeling like I somehow don’t belong. It’s hard to feel like you belong and deserve the position when most of the PhD students you interact with are male.

On top of imposter syndrome, sometimes it’s hard to keep yourself afloat. I’ve found having a supportive environment amongst my peers, both male and female, has been the best way to overcome those feelings.

What do you feel is the best way to inspire more women and girls to study and work in science?

Representation. Most of my science teachers at school and college were female, so I never had any qualms about pursuing a science career, despite how often I was told it tends to be a male-dominated field.

What advice do you have for any women looking to study Biomedical Science?

Understand what a Biomedical Scientist does before you start, and make sure the course is accredited by the Institute for Biomedical Science (IBMS) if you want to go into an NHS Biomedical Scientist role.

Similarly, if you want to follow a research career, look for opportunities to work on summer projects or to gain research experience.

Which female scientist do you find most inspiring and why?

I’ve got a network of friends who are completing or have done PhDs in science subject areas, and each of them have inspired and pushed me at different points of my academic career.

Be it watching them publish their first papers and thinking about how I get there myself, to seeing how their work is impacting the community that they work within.

What does the future hold for you?

I have just under a year to wrap up my PhD and then I’m hoping to go into pharmaceutical research. The idea of developing new drugs that can help save and improve people’s lives is something that really excites and drives me.

Emily Moss, PhD student in Biomedical Science

Emily is also working towards her PhD in Biomedical Science, researching cancer biology with a focus on breast cancer metastasis. She is interested in this area because of the impact it has globally, and how it has personally affected people close to her.

Why did you choose to study at Leeds Beckett?

The course really interested me after attending the open day and I wanted to move to Leeds to study.

I continued to study for my PhD at Leeds Beckett as an opportunity arose that aligned with my research interests. It was also because of the familiarity of staff members and knowing I would receive any support I need.

What do you feel is the best way to inspire more women and girls to study and work in science?

More experience for what it’s like to be a scientist. I think being able to see first-hand what you do and how exciting it is to work as a scientist, would make it more appealing.

What advice do you have for any women looking to study Biomedical Science?

Seek out work experience where possible as it allows you the opportunity to see how interesting different areas of science can be.

Research universities that offer modules you have an interest in – or even better have a placement option that allow you to gain some insight and experience to help when making career decisions.

Which female scientist do you find most inspiring and why?

I work alongside so many amazing female scientists it’s hard to pick.

One female scientist who has had a massive impact on my science journey is Dr Mikayla Shelton. Not only is she very talented at research, her compassionate and patient nature allowed me to learn so much from her and I am very grateful.

Have you been taught by many female scientists at Leeds Beckett? How does this inspire you?

There are many female scientists in the Biomedical Science academic team who taught me during my undergraduate degree or who I have worked alongside since teaching laboratory sessions.

I’ve had interesting conversations with the team and the thing I found most inspiring from every female scientist is that they encourage you to believe in yourself and push yourself to be the best you can.

What does the future hold for you?

Since studying at LBU, I have found a love for research – especially in cancer biology.

My goal is to be able to continue this in the future. I am feeling positive about my future thanks to the inspiring female scientists around me, and all the support I receive from my supervisors and the Biomedical Science team as a whole.

To explore what you could accomplish as a woman in science, check out our Biomedical Science courses today.