March is Women’s Month: including Women’s History Month, as observed in the US and internationally, and International Women’s Day on the 8th of March. It’s a time to celebrate the achievements of women and to continue advocating for more progress towards gender equality and inclusion. This year themes are befitting – “Invest in Women,” “Accelerate Progress,” and “Inspiring Inclusion.” During this month, I take time to reflect on my research career progress, the investments made towards this, milestones achieved to date, and my hopes for the future.
My journey, a decade in the making, started in 2013 when I was first introduced to research methodology. I made modest strides and can now reflect on the “first time” milestones I experienced: my first poster presentation in a scientific conference in 2017, my first abstract accepted at an international conference in 2019, and my first publication in 2020. These first times now seem to pale in comparison to the type of first times I am now experiencing, and to which I aspire towards beyond my ACHIEVE training. Since I have joined ACHIEVE, I have made my first research elevator pitch at the NIH before an audience of world class scientists, submitted a manuscript to a PubMed indexed journal, and will receive my first major research pilot grant funding.
From mentored research, protected time to focus on research skill building, and exposure from participating in the NIH Fogarty International Center’s LAUNCH program, LAUNCH lives true to its name. I am now getting launched into a bigger research arena with potential for large scale grants and now incubating bigger first time dreams, (cheers to future K or R awards!) This is a privileged opportunity for me as a woman, especially as we consider the gender gap in science and research characterized by women experiencing shorter, less well-paid careers, and unfortunately comprising less than 30% of the world’s researchers. I have personally experienced and can speak to some of the social dynamics, such as starting/growing a family, which can contribute towards gender disparities.
Indeed, I am grateful for the investments made to accelerate my research career progress, the inclusion and support I have received so far, and the inspiration I continue to draw from the women in the ACHIEVE family including fellow researchers, principal investigators, and mentors. It is important to continue to see more women in these spaces, and for all women, may the month of March serve as a reminder to keep marching on! Happy Women’s Month!