The 11th February 2024 marked the 9th UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
A significant gender gap has persisted throughout the years at all levels of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines all over the world. Even though women have made tremendous progress towards increasing their participation in higher education, they are still under-represented in these fields.
Here, we celebrate some of Moredun’s women in STEM!
Xuhang Wu
Meet Xuhang Wu, a research scientist with a background rooted in veterinary medicine. Xuhang embarked on her exploration of parasitology during her bachelor’s degree, delving into the intricacies of tapeworms. Her commitment to unravelling the mysteries of parasitic organisms continued through her Master’s degree in parasitology in China, where she achieved a milestone by conducting the first transcriptome and small RNA sequencing for the tapeworm, Taenia multiceps.
Driven by a passion for advancing her knowledge and contributing to the field, Xuhang pursued a PhD at the University of Edinburgh in Rick Maizels’ lab. Here, her focus shifted to the functional analysis of proteins from the filariasis worm, Brugia malayi. Building on this expertise, Xuhang returned to China for her first post-doctoral position, collaborating with Sue Welburn. During this phase, she honed her skills in Nanopore sequencing, particularly for the bacteria strain NDM-1.
Currently, Xuhang is undertaking her second post-doctoral position in Clare Hamilton’s lab at the Moredun Research Institute, where she delves into the intricate world of Toxoplasma. Her research explores the infection dynamics of virulent and non-virulent strains of Toxoplasma gondii. Leveraging the power of RNA-Seq and Whole Genome Sequencing, Xuhang seeks to unravel the intricate dance between host and pathogen, bringing a holistic understanding to this complex interaction.With an inherent love for challenges and a deep appreciation for the joy that science brings, Xuhang continues to explore the scientific world with unwavering passion.
Xuhang says:
“I was inspired to pursue a career in science by my deep-seated passion for making a meaningful impact on both animal and human well-being, driven by a desire to contribute to advancements that enhance the health and quality of life for all living beings.”
Eleanor Watson
Eleanor Watson is a Principal Research Scientist and her work focusses on zoonotic bacteria and how they survive and circulate in farmed ecosystems and within wildlife populations. Eleanor also works on bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics and how they are transmitted in the environment.
Eleanor says:
“My job is very varied and includes collecting samples in remote and interesting locations, developing projects with other scientists with different skill sets and expertise, and working with farmers, conservationists and policy teams in applying science to address challenges in today’s changing environments. I also really enjoy working with Moredun’s young scientists and seeing them develop their skills and find their niche. We all bring something different to the job and that’s key to a creative, dynamic work environment and for solving complex problems.”
Eleanor also puts a huge amount of time and effort into sharing Moredun’s research with the public and raising awareness of important issues related to human, animal and environmental health. She has done incredible work with colleagues developing resources to communicate science and spark interest in young learners, including the very popular ‘Disease Detectives’ activity that teaches children about the detection and diagnosis of bacterial pathogens in an exciting and engaging way. Eleanor is often to be found running Disease Detectives and other activities at science festivals, agricultural shows and at schools.
She says:
“These knowledge exchange activities are incredibly rewarding for me and really brings to life what we do for the scientists of the future.”
UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science: https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day