School of Public Health marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science

School of Public Health staff reflect on their scientific journeys as part of International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

11 February is the 8th annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science. To celebrate, we hear from staff on their scientific journeys and learn who or what inspired them.

Dr Suzie Cro

Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics and Clinical Trials
Imperial Clinical Trials Unit

"When I was a child I became intrigued by how medicines were made after seeing inside the research laboratories of a pharmaceutical company that my parents both used to worked for. But I knew working in a laboratory was not for me. At school it was maths I enjoyed the most, thanks to an encouraging teacher - Mrs Gill. This led me to study mathematics and statistics at university. It was there that I discovered you could be a medical statistician, and be involved in the discovery of new medical treatments by applying statistics."

"I have been working at a statistician in medical research for 12 years. I design and analyse the data from clinical trials which test new medical treatments for different diseases. This has included trials in eczema, arthritis, cancer and opiate detoxification. It is incredibly rewarding being able to contribute to the development of medicines to help improve people's lives."

Dr Alicia Heath

Lecturer in Cancer Epidemiology
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

"I was always fascinated by medicine because it is an evolving field of discovery and we’re constantly learning something new. My career path didn’t conform with the expectations of those around me and I often felt like I wasn’t good enough and had to work extremely hard to get to where I am now, but all of the perseverance was worth it."

"My initial desire to fix people was quashed by the realisation that we can have a far greater impact by preventing ill health in the first place. I’m really lucky that my work centres around what I’m passionate about – identifying causes of chronic diseases and developing ways to prevent people getting diseases so they can live healthier lives for longer. A scientific career is inherently collaborative and it is a privilege to work with amazing people who provide inspiration and guidance, and in turn I thoroughly enjoy mentoring and training the next generation of researchers and fostering their enthusiasm and excitement towards scientific breakthroughs."

"My advice is to follow your instincts and don’t be afraid to pursue your dreams. Things rarely go to plan, but it is always better to try and have no regrets because you never know what something may lead to."

Professor Jenni Quint

Professor of Respiratory Epidemiology
Department of Primary Care and Public Health

"My sense of curiosity and love of problem solving inspired me to follow a career in science. There are many scientists I admire both past and present who inspire me to do what I do today. Knowing that other people have persevered and believed in the impossible keeps me going and encourages me to push even further."

Paula Christen

PhD Student
Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology

"I have always been inspired by knowledge as the premise of progress which creates opportunities. With science, you can bring about positive change, challenge the status-quo and reduce uncertainty, for yourself, communities, and the planet."

"For science to bring about positive change, policymakers, community members, and scientists need to collaborate. My aspiration is to understand how an exchange of perspectives can be facilitated and integrated in science to unleash its full value. Recently, I researched the extent to which the HPV vaccination programme in Mozambique can contribute to alleviating poverty. This research question was co-defined with policymakers in Mozambique. Findings could contribute to a more targeted intervention, positively impacting women's health and providing financial protection."

Dr Rachel Phillips

Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics and Clinical Trials
Imperial Clinical Trials Unit

"I have to thank a series of (primarily female) teachers for nurturing and supporting my love of maths. From primary school where I was encouraged to challenge myself with tricky maths problems. Thank you Mrs Woodland and Mr Lewis for all that extra maths homework (really!). To Ms Gabe the secondary school teacher (who I remain in touch with to this day) who encouraged me to pursue a maths degree when I was unsure of what to study. Who also opened my eyes to the possibility of a career as a medical statistician when I was left uninspired after completing a graduate banking internship. Without their encouragement, guidance and cheerleading I would not have had the confidence to pursue a maths degree, let alone a MSc and PhD, and I certainly would not have thought about a career as a medical statistician. Thank you!"