Women in Science: How to overcome obstacles and succeed in the scientific world?

Despite the successes of pioneers like Marie Curie-Skłodowska, women in science are still significantly underrepresented compared to men. On the occasion of this year's International Women's Day, we reached out to the inspiring scientist Michaela Vojníková to share her experiences and the opportunities that her work in the scientific environment has brought her.

Michaela Vojníková is a PhD student under the supervision of Zbyněk Heger at CEITEC Brno University of Technology and Mendel University. However, she is currently working at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). In the laboratory, she focuses on the production of lipid nanoparticles used for drug delivery.

1. What inspired you to become a scientist, and what were your first steps in the field?

The way I am and the way my parents raised me showed me from an early age that I have a passion for helping people. Almost everyone encounters someone in their life who suffers from a serious illness and succumbs to it. This happened to me several times, and I could not understand why, in such an advanced era, we still lack effective therapies. I decided that I had to pursue a career as a scientist and help find effective treatments. Regarding my first steps, I joined the research team of Associate Professor David Salamon (CEITEC BUT) in the first year of my university studies. The moment I realized that science is not about learning facts but about solving mysteries, I started thinking about where my path could lead next. I wanted to connect my passion for science with research focused on the disease that troubled me the most—cancer. Naturally, I continued in the team of Associate Professor Zbyněk Heger (MENDELU).

2. Have you encountered any obstacles or stereotypes related to being a woman in your career? How did you overcome them?

I am very fortunate to be surrounded by a team that treats me as an equal, even though, from a career perspective, I am "just" a PhD student. My supervisor and I have established a balanced working relationship from the start. However, I do face questions that men probably don’t understand: When do I plan to start a family? Will I manage a family during my postdoctoral studies? To all those who ask these questions: Could we, as a society, accept that both women and men should have equal responsibility in the family? We can take care of our families while also developing our professional careers. Moreover, you never know someone else’s health situation, and discussing such matters is simply inappropriate. Unfortunately, it sometimes happens in scientific communities that women underestimate themselves and engage in unhealthy competition. We should support each other, celebrate successes together, and move forward as a team. That’s why I surround myself with friends and female scientists who are not envious of each other—we just push forward together.

3. How does the Czech environment approach this issue? Where can we find inspiration abroad, and where do we set an example?

I believe that social media plays a significant role in raising awareness of these issues. I enjoy following the profile and campaigns of NKC. Looking abroad, the U.S. actively addresses workplace sexual harassment. I know this firsthand because, during my internship at UCSD in the U.S., I attended several training sessions. We should introduce similar initiatives in the Czech Republic. When such cases arise here, the victim often suffers career consequences as well, which is incomprehensible to me. We can take inspiration from Iceland, where gender differences are being addressed, and unnecessary questions are avoided. There, men and women are treated equally because they have implemented a system where parents are entitled to a total of 12 months of parental leave, with each parent receiving six months at 80% of their full salary. This motivates both women and men to return to work in the same position.

4. What scientific achievement are you most proud of, and what impact could it have on society?

I am personally proud that I was awarded a Fulbright scholarship and joined Joseph Wang’s research group at UCSD for 10 months. This internship is very significant for me and will help me in many ways as an early-career scientist. I have met many great young researchers who, I believe, will be the next generation in science, and through friendly collaboration, I am confident we will find answers to various pressing societal questions. Another achievement worth mentioning is that I managed to connect our research group with the company Enantis, and we have many plans together. I believe that through this collaboration, we will be able to commercialize our ideas, making them accessible to almost everyone.

5. What advice would you give to young girls considering a scientific career but unsure if it's the right path for them?

Science is a place for everyone, providing space to pursue dreams and express enthusiasm endlessly. We, as women and girls, can be just as passionate about our work as men, and therefore, we should not have any doubts or insecurities. We often bring empathy and understanding into research teams, which is increasingly needed in science.

Source: CEITEC BUT