The Pasqual Maragall Foundation and the Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC) join, once again, in celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11, declared in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly. The aim of this commemoration is to promote the full and equal participation of women and girls in education, training, employment and decision-making processes in science, and to eliminate all types of discrimination against women in the spheres of education and employment. This year we spoke with three women from the BBRC about their careers in the field of research and access to the scientific world: Ana Fernandez Arcos, Researcher and Neurologist; Esther Jimenez, Laboratory Technique; and Andreea Radoy, Project Manager of Project Life Cycle Management.
On the other hand, the Dr. Ana Fernandez Arcos will participate on February 14 in a talk for primary school students at the Escola Parc del Guinardó, coordinated by the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB). On the same day, the Dr. Natalia Vilor-Tejedor, leader of the BBRC Genetic Neuroepidemiology and Biostatistics team, will also offer a colloquium to primary school students from the Bora Gran Serinyà School, within the framework of the #100tíficas initiative, organized by the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation (FCRI) and the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), and to secondary school students from the Arnau Cadell Institute.
What inspired you to pursue a career in science?
Ana Fernandez Arcos: Since I was little, I have liked science, studying and discovering that the more I delve into a subject, the more curiosity and questions arise. I was very clear that I wanted to work keeping in touch with people, that is why I studied Medicine and then Neurology, because the brain seems fascinating to me. When I specialized in sleep disorders, I realized the possibilities of researching something that we all do, and that is that we spend a large part of our lives sleeping, but there are still many unknowns.
Esther Jimenez: While working as a clinical analysis technician in a hospital, I was offered a position as a research technician. I took the plunge and discovered my calling. I met dedicated people, willing to work very hard to find answers that can help many people. In research, there is no time to get bored, you are constantly changing, and you always have to learn new things, ask new questions and be creative.
Andreea Radoy: I have always been curious to understand how the mind and brain work, how people think and feel, what makes us act in one way or another. These questions can only be answered through science, especially neuropsychology. Research is what has allowed me to approach these issues and contribute my grain of sand.
What advice would you give to young people who want to be scientists?
AF: A scientific career is long and requires patience and a lot of effort. It can be a difficult task. That is why I would advise you to enjoy the journey, to find what you like and are interested in.
EX: I would recommend that you look for the scientific field that you are most passionate about and that motivates you, since science requires a lot of commitment. You have to be persistent and not give up; it is a challenging career, but very rewarding when you achieve results. It is important to find a good mentor who will help you in the process of developing your skills and knowing how to take advantage of all opportunities.
AR: I would tell them not to be afraid of making mistakes and to look for situations that allow them to continue learning. Above all, they should choose a good team that supports them and at the same time offers them challenges that make them give their best. Science is a team sport and one that takes place over the long term. Good projects are collaborative and together with their colleagues they will go further.
Can you explain to us what your role is at the BBRC?
AF: On the one hand, I work within the Clinical Operations team and make visits with our volunteer participants to collect clinical data that will be useful for research. It is great to be part of this team and the opportunity to maintain direct contact with the participants. On the other hand, I am also part of the Clinical Research team, where we investigate different factors that could pose a risk of suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, I collaborate in the interpretation of sleep data in the Alfa Sleep study, where we look at the relationship of different sleep variables with Alzheimer's disease.
EX: I am a Laboratory Technician at the Fluid Biomarkers Platform. On a daily basis, I analyse biomarkers in the different types of samples we have, using tools such as SIMOA or MSD. We also work to develop other techniques that allow us to analyse new biomarkers. In addition, I am in charge of maintaining the laboratory equipment and materials.
AR: As a Clinical Project Manager in the Scientific Coordination team, I manage projects involving participants from all BBRC research cohorts, from design to closure. In particular, I try to harmonise their execution when several projects require the involvement of the same participants in parallel, and to increase the value of results from different projects that may be complementary.
How do you think equal access to the scientific world can be guaranteed for all people?
AF: It is essential to ensure quality public education so that boys and girls can have the same access to a training base that will later allow them to choose what they will do in the future. On the other hand, boys and girls should be encouraged in the same way from a young age, allowing them to choose games and activities based on their personal preferences and avoiding imposing gender roles throughout their upbringing. I also consider it very important that there are references in the media for female scientists of all races and ethnicities, and that they appear not only for their goals, but also for their opinions on technical and research aspects.
EX: I would start by promoting inclusive education from childhood, ensuring that science education is accessible and of quality for all, from the earliest stages, providing adequate resources and eliminating gender, ethnic and socioeconomic biases. It is also important to improve scholarship and project funding programmes and encourage collaboration between centres.
AR: To such a difficult question, my answer can only fall short. As regards professional access, educational and employment policies in the academic world and the scientific industry are very different at a global level. In my opinion, the problem is not so much university access, but how to retain people who have fewer opportunities and how to promote diversity in higher education in research careers and in scientific organisations. For example, even in areas where the number of female graduates is similar to that of men, the proportion that accesses research careers is, if lucky, 30%, and with worse contractual and salary conditions. In addition, for open science, transparent and democratic dissemination of scientific results and accessible dissemination for all audiences is necessary. In this sense, it is necessary to give due visibility to the female contribution to scientific results.
