Breaking Barriers in Science

To commemorate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11, two trailblazing researchers, Menatallah Elserafy from Egypt and Fresthel Climacosa from the Philippines, exemplify the potential of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Elserafy, an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Genomics at Zuwail City of Science and Technology, is dedicated to studying DNA repair mechanisms. Meanwhile, Climacosa serves as an Associate Professor in Medical Microbiology at the University of the Philippines, where her focus lies in disease prevention, specifically tuberculosis.

Both scientists participated in the Young Female Scientist Programme, a collaborative initiative by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Okayama University in Japan aimed at empowering women in STEM.

The STEM Gender Gap

Despite the vast opportunities in STEM, women remain underrepresented. Research indicates that females constitute less than one-third of the STEM workforce, and only 20% of professionals specializing in artificial intelligence are women.

Shamika N. Sirimanne, UNCTAD’s Director for Technology and Logistics, stated, “Women face immense barriers in science and technology. And many developing countries lack the resources to train scientists to the highest academic level.” She expressed gratitude to Okayama University for providing significant opportunities for young women scientists from developing nations.

Gaining New Technical Skills

During their time at Okayama University, Elserafy noted, “In addition to acquiring new technical skills while working at the Neutron Therapy Research Centre, we produced promising preliminary data that we can build on in a long-term collaboration.”

Climacosa worked with Naoya Ohara, a leading researcher at Okayama University, investigating a newly identified mutation in a tuberculosis strain. Her experiments at the facility equipped her to initiate a research programme in the Philippines aimed at combating diseases such as tuberculosis. “The good laboratory practices I learned from Dr. Ohara’s team are undoubtedly valuable in our own programme,” she commented.

Collaborative Research Efforts

The significance of international collaboration resonated deeply with both researchers. Elserafy affirmed, “We’ll continue working on projects in both Egypt and Japan simultaneously in the future,” emphasizing ongoing collaboration and plans to secure funding for future research initiatives.

Climacosa shared her aspiration to send Filipino graduate students to Okayama University for sandwich research programmes, further enriching the collaborative spirit.

Both Elserafy and Climacosa underscored the need for role models in STEM, advising aspiring scientists: “Create your own path, break stereotypes, look up to female role models and learn from what they have done to achieve success,” expressed Elserafy. Climacosa added, “Don’t be afraid to go beyond what is expected of you. Dare to do what no one expected you to do.”

Supporting Global Goals

The Young Female Scientist Programme aligns with a broader mission to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5, which advocates for gender equality. Since its inception, the initiative has empowered 21 women from Africa and Asia, bolstering international cooperation in scientific development.

Hirofumi Makino, the President of Okayama University, reiterated the commitment to encouraging young individuals, especially women, to pursue innovation with a focus on equity and sustainability.