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 Förster
You’ll hear about:
00:00 - Funding Challenges for Female Founders
01:32 - Introduction to Doderm and Its Mission
05:20 - The Importance of Market Research
07:37 - Becoming an Entrepreneur: Education and Mentorship
09:58 - Leadership Styles and Challenges
12:24 - Building a Strong Team and Company Culture
14:47 - Sales and Marketing: Learning the Ropes
16:48 - Navigating Barriers as a Female CEO
20:18 - Work-Life Balance and Support Systems
23:46 - Innovative Approaches in Skin Health
27:31 - Future Aspirations for Doderm
30:41 - The Role of Mentorship in Growth
32:36 - Engaging with Young Talent
Dr 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/SAsUS
My 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
Becoming a scientist later in life is not the traditional approach, but there are benefits to doing it that way.
From knowing more about who you are and what you want out of life, to having the confidence to go out there and do something about it. In this episode I am joined by Dr Paul Brett, the Lead Scientist at Adamo Foods, who did just that.
Paul is a former teacher that later in life did his PHD in fungal and molecular biology. He talks about how this experience teaching has benefited not just his work but how he can share it with others. He also considers the importance of the relationships throughout his life that supported and enabled him to follow his love for science.
Paul gives valuable insights for those looking to pursue their own journey into science later in life, including how he was able to find jobs after completing his PHD and what it’s like to work in a startup.
“I felt very confident about doing a PHD later than everyone else” - Paul
You’ll hear about:
01:30 - An introduction to Dr Paul Brett
02:55 - What does Paul like about the startup environment?
07:56 - What should happen as technology improves?
10:15 - Finding a position after completing his PHD
15:37 - Was Paul's undergrad degree traditional?
18:26 - The power of having support
20:19 - Why individuality is a wonderful thing
22:58 - What did Paul do after his undergrad?
29:26 - Paul's work on soft fruit farms
34:36 - Did teaching have transferrable skills?
41:39 - Would a traditional PHD been different?
Dr. Paul’s resources:
LinkedIn: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-michael-brett/
Adamo Foods - https://www.adamofoods.com/
My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-n/
What’s it like teaching mature students in the sciences?
We often have a view of students at university as teenagers fresh out of college, but many come to it later in life. To explore the reality of working with mature students, I am joined by Dr Shern Tee, a practical lecturer and computational electrochemist at Griffith University, Australia. We discuss what mature students bring to the lecture theatre and why teaching a diverse group of students benefits the groups.
Shern also shares how he uses technology in the lecture theatre and why he learns just as much from his students as they do from him. He discusses how aspiring mature chemists can start their journey into academia and how chemistry surrounds us in everyday life.
“Diversity is better for everyone on a human level” Shern
You’ll hear about:
00:00 -Introduction
01:13 –Shern on teaching a diverse group of students
03:38 -Generating feedback during the lecture
06:36 -Teaching and learning goes both ways
07:43 -Adapting teaching for mixed groups
13:16 -Do mature students communicate better?
20:12 -Does Shern use technology to enhance learning?
23:22 -How does diversity enhance learning?
25:01 -How chemistry shows up in everyday life
28:50 -Advice to mature aspiring chemists
Dr. Shern’s resources:LinkedIn: -https://www.linkedin.com/in/shern-tee-phd-8172241b3/
Episode resources: 2012 Christmas Lectures -Burning a Diamond-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QbHRLpYc-0
My resources:LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-n/
In this episode, I interview Ted Mason, an apprentice at Catapult, a cell and gene therapy company. Ted shares his unconventional journey into the science industry, starting from struggling with A-levels to finding his passion in an apprenticeship. He discusses the practical experience and specialized skills he has gained in the lab and the pressure and responsibility of working with stem cells. Ted emphasizes the importance of apprenticeships and encourages listeners to keep their options open and embrace their unique paths.
Takeaways
Claudia Andretta shares her journey from academia to industry, highlighting the value of being a scientist beyond having a PhD. She discusses her expertise in go-to-market strategy and rare diseases, specifically cell and gene therapy. She also reflects on her academic background in neuroscience and her decision to transition to a career in sales and consulting. Claudia advises those facing toxicity in academia and encourages individuals to explore alternative career paths. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for individuals to consider their options and make choices that align with their goals and aspirations.
Takeaways
Renuka Ramanujan, founder of HUID, a biotech startup that converts onion waste into a single-use plastic alternative for packaging, shares her journey of transitioning from a textile designer to the world of biotech. She discusses the importance of sustainable processes in creating eco-friendly packaging and the need to consider the entire supply chain. Renuka draws inspiration from her background in textiles and design to simplify complex scientific concepts and communicate them effectively. She also highlights the social impact of her work and her aspiration to create a more equitable and sustainable future.
Key Takeaways:
In this episode, Dr Elena Hoffer discusses her experience after completing her PhD and transitioning to new goals. She shares her background in pharmaceutical biotechnology and her transition to immunology, specifically studying skin diseases. Elena emphasizes the importance of overcoming the fear of imperfection and the value of mentorship, encouraging individuals to pursue education and career changes, and highlighting the long-term benefits. Elena also discusses her current journey of building a company and offers advice for those considering returning to education.
Today's guest, Dr Thais Langer, started her career at cruising altitude as a flight attendant. Thais shares the tale of how her passion for exploration and knowledge led her to pursue higher education while jet-setting across the globe. With a PhD in life sciences in hand, she made the leap into the world of biotech marketing, where she now applies her rich tapestry of experiences to innovate and lead.
This episode is a deep dive into the intersections of travel, education, and professional growth, offering invaluable insights for anyone fascinated by the limitless possibilities that arise from combining diverse life experiences with a career in science and marketing.
In today's episode of the Blooming Late Scientists, we chat to Harrison Waid, Co-Founder of Succession, a company dedicated to sales training in the life science sector.
Harrison shares his journey from being a dedicated sportsman to embracing sales challenges and, eventually, co-founding a business that stands at the intersection of biotech innovation and sales excellence. Don't miss it!
Join us on this episode of Blooming Late Scientists, where we explore the compelling story of Dr David Brühlmann, whose initial aspirations of becoming a pilot took a dramatic turn towards uncharted territories. After a brief stint in medical school that lasted just two days, he redirected his ambitions towards the field of chemical engineering, a decision that marked the beginning of a new journey. His career took off in the aromatic world of Nespresso, where he contributed to the art of coffee making before pivoting to the cutting-edge biotech arena for his PhD. This episode is a testament to the power of adaptability, resilience, and the pursuit of passion, illustrating how life's unexpected detours can lead to fulfilling and impactful destinations.
Follow the journey of a Commercial Director whose life story defies convention. Starting in a cult, his path led him through physics, crane driving, founding companies and becoming a CFO before steering the helm in biotech innovation. In this interview, Dale Harrison shares insights from his diverse experiences and how they shaped his approach to leadership and innovation in the biotech sector. It's a tale of resilience, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of passion that will inspire anyone facing their own hurdles.This story isn't just about success; it's about the power of diversity in experience and thinking. Perfect for entrepreneurs, science buffs, or anyone looking for motivation to chart their own unique course.