International Day of Women and Girls in Science

💪Today, on United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate trailblazers while confronting stark inequalities.  ♀️⚖️♂️ Women make up just 35% of STEM students globally and under 30% of 👩‍🔬 researchers - despite their vital innovations driving progress.

❔We asked 3 of our female researchers what advice would they give to young girls who want to enter the world of science. Here is what they have to say:

👩‍🔬 💬Melanie Märklin (Translational Immunology | Salihlab): Stay curious, ask questions, and don't be afraid to take up space - your ideas matter! Science isn’t a single path or type of person. It’s a field full of opportunities to explore. Trust yourself, keep learning, and let your interests guide you.

👩‍🔬 💬 Ilona Hagelstein (Translational Immunology | Salihlab): My path into science was not linear, and I combined research with family life. What matters most in science is curiosity, critical thinking, and persistence. Research benefits from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. If you enjoy asking questions and solving problems, a career in science can be both challenging and deeply rewarding.

👩‍🔬 💬Naomi Hönisch Gravel (Peptide-based Immunotherapy): Early in my PhD journey I used to be afraid to ask “silly” questions, worried I’d be judged for not understanding “simple” things. Then I started giving talks about my work - and the same people I was afraid of began asking me those exact questions. So speak up! Think out loud! Ask your “silly” questions! Curiosity fuels creativity and persistence. You belong here just as everyone else.