Shubha Tole Appointed President-Elect of IBRO: A Historic Achievement for Women in Science
A Groundbreaking Appointment
Shubha Tole, a prominent Indian woman scientist, has made history by being named the president-elect of the International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO). This appointment marks a significant milestone, as she is the first scientist from a developing nation to hold such a prestigious position. The IBRO governing council comprises 69 scientific societies and federations from 57 countries, and Ms. Tole’s election was a highlight of their recent annual assembly held in Chicago, USA. Currently, she serves as the dean of graduate studies at Mumbai’s renowned Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
The Role of IBRO
The International Brain Research Organisation functions as a global federation of neuroscience bodies, dedicated to advancing and advocating for the field of neuroscience worldwide. They support initiatives in training, collaborative research, and outreach programs aimed at fostering neuroscience engagement across the globe. In an exclusive interview with The Hindu, Tole expressed her thoughts on leadership, stating, “A leadership position offers the opportunity to impact a wider range of issues and expand the number of people one can assist. The importance of female role models in this context cannot be overstated.”
Insights from Shubha Tole
In her conversation, Tole reflected on the significance of her role as an Indian scientist within IBRO, sharing her journey from pursuing a PhD at Caltech to establishing her own research lab at TIFR. She mentioned how her lab was the first in India to utilize modern transgenic approaches in researching vertebrate brain development. Over the past 25 years, she has been instrumental in mentoring young researchers and fostering a thriving neuroscience community in India, which now includes her former trainees leading their own labs.
Furthermore, Ms. Tole emphasized her commitment to advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in science. She has engaged in various initiatives long before these concepts gained widespread recognition, including offering talks on career planning and mentorship whenever invited to speak at universities and institutions.
The Impact of Leadership on Women Scientists
Discussing her election, Tole highlighted the importance of women in leadership roles, particularly in the biological sciences, where female representation is becoming more common compared to other STEM fields. She underscored that such leadership positions allow for a broader impact and enable positive changes in the academic landscape for aspiring and established scientists alike.
Looking Ahead
When considering her future contributions to IBRO, Tole expressed her intention to leverage her experiences—fostering community engagement, addressing challenges, and promoting collaborative efforts to benefit the global neuroscience community. Her election as IBRO’s first president-elect from outside Europe and North America is a testament to the organization’s commitment to a truly global representation.
Through her remarkable achievements and dedication to advancing neuroscience, Shubha Tole inspires women scientists everywhere, paving the way for future generations to follow in her footsteps.
