Blooming Late Scientists

Blooming Late Scientists

By Martina NevilleScience
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Blooming Late Scientists episodes

  • Dr Beatrix Förster - Founding as a Female

    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/ 

    36 min
  • Dr Xu Simon - The Underlying Truths for Women in STEM

    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.

    48 min
  • Dr Abigail Otchere - The Importance of Representation in STEM

    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

     

    36 min
  • Jessica Rietbrock - The Importance of Women Supporting Women

    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

     

    51 min
  • Biotech Panel: Philipp Baaske, Amber Penrose, Gregory Antonios

    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

     


    57 min
  • Maggie Philbin OBE - Empowering Women in STEM: The Tomorrow's World Legacy

    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/

    52 min
  • Rachel Pearce - Building Supportive Networks for Women in Science

    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.

    36 min
  • Amber Penrose - Gender Biases and Barriers to Science Careers

    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/

    49 min
  • Lucy Murray - The Benefits of Taking a Break

    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/

    47 min
  • Dave Graham – How Taking Leaps of Faith Can Propel Your Career

    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

    • Building a strong network and utilizing it can lead to valuable opportunities and collaborations.
    • Taking leaps of faith and being open to new experiences can lead to personal and professional growth.
    • Finding a mentor or champion within an organization can provide guidance and support in career development.
    • Networking and building relationships is crucial in the life science industry, as it can lead to new business opportunities and collaborations.
    • Young professionals starting out in their careers should focus on building a strong network and finding their tribe.
      • 35 min

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