Dynamic program for women in science fires ambitions and hones skills
Two Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) researchers say a new science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) leadership program they are undertaking has put them in contact with “awe-inspiring”, influential female leaders from science and the business sector ; given them the tools to succeed and the confidence to use them; and connected them to an invaluable network of like-minded, supportive female peers.
Dr Eliana Marino and Dr Anne Fletcher are part of the eight-month STEMM sidebyside program, led by veski and Monash University, with the support of the British Consulate General Melbourne.
The program is offering 30 women at different stages of their careers in STEMM a range of workshops and networking opportunities.
It equips the scientists with the skills, networks and mindset to achieve their career goals with the aim of retaining, and boosting the trajectories of, women within STEMM industries. Around 20 per cent of senior professors in STEMM in Australia are women.
The two researchers are taking part in the ‘Leading the Way: Mid-career emerging leaders’ section of the program, designed to support women wanting to progress or extend into leadership positions who have already demonstrated success or potential as a future leader for women in STEMM. It helps develop networks across universities, research centres, industry and government. Two other parallel streams are offered under the program for university students and women returning to work.
Dr Marino, who heads the Monash BDI’s Immunology and Diabetes Research Group, has for the past seven years focused on the field of nutrition, immune-metabolism and gut microbiota. She is currently investigating innovative dietary technologies that boost good gut microbiota and modulate the immune system to tackle type 1 diabetes.
Dr Marino has received a Career Development Award from JDRF and the distinguished Type 1 Millenium Award from Diabetes Australia. Her latest work was published recently in the prestigious journal Nature Immunology.
“As Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea mentioned in her talk ‘you need to be even more than good; you need to be great’. By developing this STEMM leadership program, veski has provided us with essential tools to identify those areas in our careers that we need to boost to be great!” Dr Marino said.
“At veski we were connecting with influential women whose careers are inspiring us to grow as excellent communicators, mentors and entrepreneurs to make our stamp in science or in the community. For me in particular, it has been great to learn how to be a member of boards and how to build entrepreneurship skills to move forward my research closer to the people who need it,” she said.
Dr Anne Fletcher is co-head of the Monash BDI’s Stromal Immunology Laboratory. Her work explores how structural cells called fibroblasts take control of the immune response in health and in disease states, particularly cancer. She undertook her postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School, Boston, under a CJ Martin Fellowship. She was then awarded a Birmingham Fellowship to start a laboratory at the University of Birmingham. Anne has published more than 45 papers in immunology, including her latest paper published in PLOS Biology, and is an inventor on a stromal cell therapy patent for inflammatory disease. Dr Fletcher returned to Monash last year, and is currently working with clinical and biotechnology partners to develop new therapies she hopes will change lives.
“This program has given me not just the tools to succeed, but the confidence to use them,” Dr Fletcher said.
“We have been entertained and educated by a cast of absolutely awe-inspiring female leaders from science, business and entrepreneurship, as well as learning from psychologists and experts who have shed light on the patterns of behaviour that often hold women back, and how to overcome them,” she said.
“Programs like this are incredibly important to provide us with the mentorship and skills necessary for leadership. Most importantly, I now have a strong network of like-minded, supportive female peers, all at my career stage or beyond, and that is truly invaluable. I would encourage anyone eligible to consider applying.”
If you are interested in participating in the next round of this annual program, refer to the Leading the Way guide and keep an eye out for the next Call for Applications.
About the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute
Committed to making the discoveries that will relieve the future burden of disease, the newly established Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University brings together more than 120 internationally-renowned research teams. Our researchers are supported by world-class technology and infrastructure, and partner with industry, clinicians and researchers internationally to enhance lives through discovery.