The increasing participation of women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) careers is outpacing that of men. Although women still represent only about 35% of the STEMM workforce, research indicates that they tend to excel when they receive mentoring, support, and guidance from other women who share similar experiences (see go.nature.com/416cjkb).
In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, six past winners of Nature’s Inspiring Women in Science Award have nominated individuals from their own lives who deserve acknowledgment for their contributions to research and support for women in scientific fields. This award, established in 2018 in collaboration with the Estée Lauder Companies in New York City, honors those who promote gender equity.
The nominees, whose achievements are detailed in the following sections, come from diverse backgrounds and careers, researching topics ranging from microscopic pathogens to distant stars.
Among them are entrepreneurial founders, devoted mentors, mothers, caregivers, and even a Nobel Prize laureate. Their experiences not only motivate other women in science but also encourage anyone striving to make STEMM more inclusive.
SHARON PEACOCK
Microbiologist Sharon Peacock led the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium — nominated by Claire Chewapreecha (inset).Credit: Sharon Peacock; Nature
Job: Microbiologist at the University of Cambridge, UK, and director of the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK).
Research Focus: Whole-genome sequencing in diagnostic and public health microbiology.
Nominated by: 2024 winner Claire Chewapreecha, computational biologist at Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok.
C.C.: Sharon is a remarkable role model who defies the stereotypical image of a medical scientist, having resumed her academic journey after leaving school at 16. I first met Sharon during my undergraduate studies at Cambridge. She provided invaluable advice on navigating research challenges in Thailand and has been my mentor ever since, believing firmly in my capabilities.
As a trailblazer in public health genomics, Sharon recognized the transformative potential of sequencing technologies against infectious diseases. Her leadership during the UK’s COVID-19 genomic monitoring provided vital insights for vaccine development and understanding variant spread.
SIERIN LIM
Sierin Lim champions women in STEMM while advancing her bioengineering research — nominated by Hortense Le Ferrand (inset).Credit: 52 Photography
Job: Bioengineer at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.
Research Focus: Design and engineering of biomaterials for health and environmental applications.
Nominated by: 2023 winner Hortense Le Ferrand, materials scientist at NTU.
H.L.F: For over a decade, Sierin Lim has been a steadfast advocate for women in STEMM, leading multiple initiatives at our university while fulfilling her role as an associate professor. Her dedication inspires others, including me, to launch collaborative workshops between NTU and Purdue University in the US.
YOON-KYOUNG CHO
Biomedical engineer Yoon-Kyoung Cho created lab-on-a-disc technology for the scientific community — nominated by Kiana Aran (inset).Credit: Yoon-Kyoung Cho; Kiana Aran
Job: Biomedical engineer at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), South Korea.
Research Focus: Diagnostics based on lab-on-a-chip technology, microfluidics, and nanomedicine.
Nominated by: 2021 winner Kiana Aran, biomedical entrepreneur and bioengineer at UC San Diego.
K.A.: Yoon-Kyoung Cho exemplifies scientific excellence paired with entrepreneurial insight. Our first meeting at a conference left me inspired by her welcoming attitude and groundbreaking research on microfluidics. Her ability to create companies bridges the gap between academia and industry, delivering significant societal benefits.
ADA YONATH
Ada Yonath, Nobel Prize-winning scientist in Chemistry — nominated by Samira Asgari (inset).Credit: Miguel Lorenzo, Nathan Maddigan
Job: Crystallographer and structural biologist at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
Research Focus: Chemical and structural biology of ribosomes.
Nominated by: 2020 winner Samira Asgari, computational biologist at Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, NYC.
S.A.: Meeting Ada at the 2014 Global Young Scientists Summit profoundly impacted me. She openly discussed her challenges in securing funding and overcoming skepticism during her pioneering work on ribosome structure. Her story reinforces the importance of resilience and dedication to scientific innovation.
RACHEL KARCHIN
Computational biologist Rachel Karchin’s mentorship fosters lifelong careers in science — nominated by Jean Fan (inset).Credit: Rachel Karchin; Will Kirk
Job: Computational biologist at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
