Blooming Late Scientists

What is it is like to be a female founder in STEM?This is a question I wanted to ask as part of this series on women in STEM. To hear the challenges and experiences of the women who are leading companies.That is why I am delighted to be talking to Dr Beatrix Förster, CEO and Founder of Doderm, a company working to create healthier skin in humans and animals.Beatrix shares insights into life as a CEO, from the challenge to secure funding as a female founder in STEM, to her own experiences as a woman in the industry. She shares how leadership styles can differ between men and women, as well as the differences she saw in questions from investors to her as a female founder.She gives brilliant suggestions on how to improve investment in female led companies by creating more female investor positions.Beatrix also explores what running a successful STEM business looks like, from building a marketing team, to her being able to create a truly inspirational work-life balance.For any aspiring female leaders this is not to be missed.“Financing in the beginning was the biggest challenge.” - Dr Beatrix FörsterYou’ll hear about:00:00 - Funding Challenges for Female Founders01:32 - Introduction to Doderm and Its Mission05:20 - The Importance of Market Research07:37 - Becoming an Entrepreneur: Education and Mentorship09:58 - Leadership Styles and Challenges12:24 - Building a Strong Team and Company Culture14:47 - Sales and Marketing: Learning the Ropes16:48 - Navigating Barriers as a Female CEO20:18 - Work-Life Balance and Support Systems23:46 - Innovative Approaches in Skin Health27:31 - Future Aspirations for Doderm30:41 - The Role of Mentorship in Growth32:36 - Engaging with Young TalentDr Beatrix Förster’s resources:Dr Beatrix’s LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatrix-förster-71158b1/ Dodern on LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/doderm-gmbh/about/ Doderm -https://shorturl.at/SAsUSMy resources:LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-n/ 

There are many challenges for women to succeed in STEM careers.   The problem of power dynamics and gender discrepancies has never been solved.   In this episode, I am joined by the brilliant Xu Simon, COO of Ezone. Xu shares her experiences from her prolific career in STEM and as a female leader of a STEM company.   She highlights the importance of mentorship and role models, noting that while more women are entering STEM, the problem is not fully solved. It is one thing to state what the problem is, but quite another to do something about it.   Xu advocates for champions who see potential and provide opportunities, and she shares how mentors, good and bad, can shape us for the better.   We also discuss the need for transparency and continuous improvement in addressing gender disparities in STEM.   This conversation shows changes are happening but there is still much work to do.   “The problem is not solved just because it's articulated.” - Xu   You’ll hear about:   00:00 - The Importance of Women in STEM 01:05 - Xu's career in science 04:48 - The feelings women in STEM evokes for Xu 07:20 - The invisible problem of women in STEM 10:16 - Xu's experience as a woman in STEM 15:21 - Xu's experience as a senior leader in STEM 27:12 - Going beyond identifying the problem 30:32 - How to find out what really needs to happen 33:41 - How important has mentorship been to Xu 38:49 - How have things progressed for women in STEM? 45:36 - Xu's advice for young women coming into STEM   Xu’s resources:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/xufits/ Enozo - https://enozo.com/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nXBcFQLw5c   My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-n/   Keywords:  women in STEM, PhD journey, STEM education, mentorship, confidence in STEM, System organization, community building, role models, career development.

We need relatable role models to know we can achieve our dreams.   For women wanting a career in STEM it can be hard to find those that represent us in the careers we want to follow. But for Black women representation is even smaller, making the work of my guest in this episode critical for young Black women entering science subjects.   Dr Abigail Otchere is a PhD graduate and co -founder of SiSTEM UK, a community supporting women in science. Dr Abigail shares her journey into STEM, discussing the fact that Black female representation becomes harder to find the higher you go, which is something she wanted to help change.   Since creating SiSTEM UK she has gone on to speak at events and go to schools to share and inspire younger generations to consider the sciences as an option for their futures.   This is a hugely inspiring and important conversation aiming to change the narrative and increase representation in STEM fields.   “The higher I went the less people I saw that looked like me.” - Abigail   You’ll hear about:   00:53 - An introduction to Abigail 07:18 - Getting over your internal blocks 09:42 - Going higher in STEM seeing fewer people like herself 12:26 - The importance of role models that look like you 13:42 - Why Abigail started SiSTEM UK 16:25 - Abigail's evolution into an event speaker 19:10 - Why are there few Black women in STEM? 22:07 - The biggest challenges for women entering STEM 25:47 - What does SiSTEM UK offer? 30:29 - The future for SiSTEM UK   Abigail’s resources:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-abigail-otchere-0902b2192/ SiSTEM UK on LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/company/sistem-uk/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sistemuk/?hl=en SiSTEM UK Linktree - https://shorturl.at/xItNF   My resources:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-n/   Keywords   women in STEM, PhD journey, black women in science, STEM education, mentorship, confidence in STEM, Sysstem organization, community building, role models, career development  

Allyship between women in the workplace is not a given, and STEM is no different.   Whether it’s because of a perceived need to be masculine to succeed, there are still outdated ideas of what it means to be a woman at work, particularly in leadership positions.   In this episode, I am joined by the wonderful Jessica Rietbrock, who supports women in STEM in the North West of the UK through her community. Jessica shares her own experiences in the workplace that have shaped who she is and how she acts with others. We explore the importance of vulnerability in professional settings, particularly for women in STEM. We also discuss the challenges women face in the workplace, including the need fo support among women and the impact of masculine and feminine energy in leadership roles.   There is a real need for allyship and support from both men and women, which can only help to foster a positive workplace culture.   Jessica has some incredible insights into what should happen to enable women in STEM roles to truly enjoy and succeed in their work.   “Women supporting women in STEM is crucial.” - Jessica   You’ll hear about:   00:00 Embracing Vulnerability in Professional Settings 08:03 Navigating Women in STEM: Challenges and Support 15:50 The Impact of Masculine and Feminine Energy in Leadership 25:22 The Challenge of Vulnerability in Leadership 29:11 Navigating Masculine Behaviours in Leadership 32:57 The Importance of Allyship and Support 36:48 The Need for Recognition and Feedback 42:10 Creating Supportive Communities for Women in Science   Jessica’s resources:   Jessica’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicarietbrock/ North West Women in STEM on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/northwest-women-in-stem/   My resources:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-n/   Keywords   vulnerability, women in STEM, leadership, support, professional growth, gender dynamics, sales, personal development, empowerment, mentorship, vulnerability, leadership, women in STEM, allyship, feedback, recognition, corporate culture, imposter syndrome, support networks, women empowerment  

From Alpha to Authentic: Evolving Gender Narratives in STEM Gender diversity in STEM is constantly evolving.   But how far have we come and what do we still need to do to make it more equal?   To discuss this, I am joined by a panel of special guests, Amber Penrose, Gregory Antonios and Philipp Baaske.   We explore each other’s experiences with gender diversity in STEM. Getting perspectives from both women and men on this topic is essential for the situation to improve.   We discuss improvements in biological sciences but persistent issues in retaining women in higher positions. We also discuss the need for supportive work environments, mentorship, and leadership that values diversity.   The conversation underscored the necessity of inclusive leadership, mentorship, and open dialogue to foster genuine diversity and equality in STEM.   There are lots of challenges and fears surrounding these topics, but the more conversations like this that we have, the better things will become.   “The further you get up the ladder the less women there are.”- Amber Penrose   You’ll hear about:   00:00 Introduction to Gender Equity in STEM 07:00 Personal Journeys into STEM 13:58 Gender Diversity in STEM: Progress and Challenges 19:54 Navigating Masculine and Feminine Leadership Traits 29:25 The Role of Men in Supporting Women in STEM 29:54 Advocacy and Listening in the Workplace 32:04 The Importance of Self-Reflection for Leaders 34:49 Inclusive Conversations: Engaging All Voices 36:25 Addressing Disrespect and Building Culture 38:05 The Need for Open Dialogue 41:16 Embracing Change and Diversity 44:12 The Role of Middle Management in Diversity 46:02 The Impact of Mentorship and Coaching 52:09 Creating Supportive Environments for Women in STEM     Panellist’s resources:   Amber on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-penrose-95256bb5/ Philipp on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipp-baaske/ Gregory on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-antonios-llm-phd-96746341/   My resources:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-n/     Keywords   gender equity, women in STEM, diversity, leadership, career paths, recruitment, gender challenges, personal stories, support networks, diversity, inclusion, workplace culture, mentorship, leadership, women in STEM, listening sessions, self-reflection, coaching, advocacy  

Maggie Philbin - Empowering Women in STEM: The Tomorrow's World Legacy   To get a real sense of how accessible STEM subjects are for women we need to talk to those that have experience working to create change in the industry.   There is no-one more experienced and more influential both historically and presently than my guest in this episode, Maggie Philbin OBE.   Maggie was the host of Tomorrow’s World, a hugely popular show on the BBC for decades showcasing innovations occurring in tech and science. As a female presenter she inspired generations of young, female scientists, including myself.   Maggie shares her experiences hosting Tomorrow’s World and the opportunity it gave her to follow her passion for the sciences.   In 2008 she founded Teen Tech, a charity addressing social mobility and gender diversity in tech.   We explore the systemic barriers to diversity in tech and education, the importance of confidence and exposure for young people, and the need for a more inclusive approach to learning and career development.   Maggie was a joy to talk to, with so much she wants to give to create a more balanced STEM system for all.   “The systems are preventing diversity in tech.”- Maggie Philbin   You’ll hear about:   00:00 – The legacy of Tomorrow's World for women 00:56 - An introduction to Maggie Philbin 03:27 - The human failures shown on Tomorrow's World 06:29 - Maggie's journey with the sciences 13:53 - Curating the stories on Tomorrow's World 18:56 - The inspiration behind Maggie's charity 24:37 - The perceptions in tech companies 25:29 - The challenge of balancing motherhood and career 27:27 - The barriers underrepresented populations face 32:45 - The challenges with school curriculums 41:06 - Giving schools and students a network for the future 42:18 - Maggie's on the number of girls in the program 48:40 - How to get involved in team tech   Maggie’s resources:   LinkedIn: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiephilbin/ Teen Tech - https://teentech.com/   My resources:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-n/

Season 2 of The Blooming Late Scientists kicks off with an empowering episode featuring Rachel Pearce, co-founder of the Oxford Women in Life Sciences group. Rachel dives deep into the challenges women face in STEM, from subtle ingrained masculine norms to creating inclusive workplace cultures. She shares her journey of building a community for women in science, advice for young professionals starting out, and how diversity drives innovation. If you're passionate about creating a more equal scientific industry, this episode is for you. Tune in now to be inspired by Rachel's vision for empowering women and paving the way for change.

Are there barriers to get into science in 2024?   In short, yes there are. From gender barriers to resume barriers for Gen Z applicants, they are still there.   In this episode I am joined by Amber Penrose, founder of Moxee, a recruitment agency for the life sciences space. Amber shares her non-traditional career path and journey into science. From a young age Amber had a deep love for science and learning, which has never left her.   She talks honestly about the challenges she has faced to get where she is including the role gender biases have had. She also shares her thoughts and concerns on careers advice given at schools and what should be done to improve it. She discusses what led her into recruitment in science, emphasising the importance of changing the way companies hire and improving candidate care. There are still a lot that needs to change to break down barriers in the sciences.   “Being a woman in business, definitely it's hard”- Amber Penrose   You’ll hear about:   01:26 - An introduction to Amber 02:49 - The issue with the way people hire 05:57 - Why Amber likes working with smaller companies 08:27 - Leaving school and career choices 15:53 - Disappointing career coaching at school 19:47 - Learning about generational differences 22:04 - Is a PHD really the ultimate goal? 27:33 - Did Amber purposefully chose life science recruitment?                  32:19 - Has any of Amber's degree been transferrable? 38:13 - Why all of your experience matters 41:08 - The struggles Amber has faced 43:21 - Amber on gender's impact on her career   Amber’s resources:   LinkedIn: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-penrose-95256bb5/ Moxee on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/moxee-bio/  Moxee website - https://moxee-search.com/ My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-n/

Have you taken a break from work or study?   Time to travel, to fight against the conventional route you should be taking in life. And simply to have fun.   My guest in this episode is Lucy Murray, Education Sales Manager at ADInstruments, who also used to be my line manager. In fact, I would count her as the best manager I’ve have ever had.   Lucy shares why she decided to take time out to travel around the world after A levels, rather than go straight to University. And how that independence taught her to take responsibility for herself, something she believes has been of huge benefit to her career.   She also discusses her science journey in higher education and then into a career in sales management. She highlights the importance of self-reflection and seeking feedback to improve as a manager.   As Lucy says you can follow your instincts and not be afraid to take unconventional paths in your careers.   “I just saw people study, study, study, work, work, work. Where’s the fun?” - Lucy   You’ll hear about:   01:26 - An introduction to Lucy 03:35 - Overcoming problems aligning with people               08:55 - Lisa on developing leadership skills                12:23 - Where did it all start for Lisa? 15:46 - The comparison issue 18:39 - How taking a break from education helped Lisa 23:47 - Lucy on her higher education journey 27:10 - Lucy's preconception of working in sales 31:41 - Keeping the human side of sales 36:39 - Dealing with failure 40:56 - Advice to people thinking about their career   Lucy’s resources:   LinkedIn: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-murray-/ ADInstruments - https://www.adinstruments.com/   My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-n/

In this conversation, we hear from, Dave Graham, a consultant in the life science industry. We cover Dave's diverse career path, the power of networking, and the importance of mentorship. Dave shares his experiences working in big pharma, transitioning between companies, and the value of taking leaps of faith. He emphasizes the need to build a strong network and find your tribe to succeed in the industry. The conversation concludes with advice for young professionals starting out in their careers. Takeaways Building a strong network and utilizing it can lead to valuable opportunities and collaborations. Taking leaps of faith and being open to new experiences can lead to personal and professional growth. Finding a mentor or champion within an organization can provide guidance and support in career development. Networking and building relationships is crucial in the life science industry, as it can lead to new business opportunities and collaborations. Young professionals starting out in their careers should focus on building a strong network and finding their tribe.