“Stay curious, be persistent and don’t underestimate the power you have”: Celebrating International Women and Girls in Science Day

Rosie: Did you face any judgement getting into science as a woman?

Jyosthna: Not outright judgement. But there were some people who didn’t think I would continue working in this area. But why wouldn’t I want to be a researcher? Being a woman wasn’t going to stop me!

Saidi: Some senior family members had this traditional perception that women shouldn’t pursue a career in this field. But luckily my parents always really encouraged me to do what I love and they really supported me. The female professors that we work with are also very supportive and are always keen to give these opportunities to young female researchers, which I find really heartwarming.

Rosie: Do you think there are any barriers to women and girls starting careers in science?

Saidi: I think the costs can be really expensive. Things like tuition fees, lab bench fees, the cost of living… all these things add up and can be obstacles for people. Another barrier can be a lack of visible role models, which might make people feel uncertain and like they don’t belong.

Jyosthna: Representation matters a lot because people can be inspired when they see someone who looks like them, otherwise it can feel like ‘that’s not for me’.  I think there can also be a perception that research is really hard and you have to be really clever, but it’s just about being curious, resilient and following your passion. 

Rosie: How will your research help people with cystic fibrosis?

Jyosthna: The CFTR protein in CF is either missing or not working properly and that affects the transport of chloride and bicarbonate. Studies have helped us understand how chloride transport is affected in CF, but we know less about bicarbonate transport and that’s what our research is looking into. We are trying to restore bicarbonate transport, because it is a very important chemical in the body. Without it, mucus can be thick and sticky which can cause inflammation in the lungs, lung infections and chronic lung disease. It can also cause problems with the pancreas and the liver. So we want to know why it doesn’t work and how we can make it work. We hope this could lead to ideas about new ways to treat CF in the future. 

Rosie: Can you pick a song that sums up what it is like being a researcher?

Saidi: I love the band Coldplay and a song called ‘Up and Up’ is very inspiring for me. It perfectly captures what research is. Every researcher starts with uncertainty and problems, but they have to keep driving forwards to something big and meaningful. This song makes me think of the resilience we need as researchers and the idea that things will get better in time. In research, sometimes the progress can feel painfully slow, but we have to keep going because every little change might matter.

Rosie: How often do you use colour in your research and what is your favourite colour highlighter?

Jyosthna: Every single day, highlighters do help you grasp information quickly, because there’s lots going on every day! My favourite colour is green because when I use it, I feel like my experiment will work! It’s a superstition I have!

Rosie: Have you ever had someone ‘mansplain’ your research to you?

Jyosthna: Not at University College London (UCL), thankfully! But sometimes men think they are smarter than you and try to shut you down; I just try to prove that’s not the case!

Saidi: Not very often, but I think it’s important to build our own knowledge and then if we do encounter this, we can back up our own thoughts and show that we know our stuff!

Rosie: What made you want to do research in CF?

Saidi: Back in my undergrad degree, when I was figuring out what really interested me, I had the opportunity to take part in a summer studentship funded by Cystic Fibrosis Trust. So that introduced me to CF. It gave me a really valuable insight and made me realise I want to contribute to help people living with cystic fibrosis. 

Rosie: What is your advice for young girls wanting to get into research?

Jyosthna: My advice is go for it. There’s nothing stopping you even when people tell you otherwise. Stay curious, be persistent and don’t underestimate the power you have. 

Saidi: Believe in yourself! And for females especially, we can network and connect and support each other. 

Rosie: What do you love most about what you do?

Saidi: I really enjoy making progress, little by little, brick by brick and that keeps me motivated. 

Jyosthna: I love how it makes me curious. And seeing the real world impact research has - there’s no bigger motivation for me. Even if it helps just one person, I will feel so happy and grateful.

A big thank you to Saidi, Jyosthna and Rosie for taking part in this interview! 

Find out more about the SRC Saidi and Jyosthna are part of, here.