International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023

As we celebrate the 2023 International Day of Women and Girls in Science, an annual initiative by UNESCO and UN Women, we took some time to pose four questions to four inspirational Mérieux NutriSciences women around the world!

Here’s what they had to share with us:

Tell us a bit about yourself…

My name is Alejandra Cifuentes. I am the Business Manager focussed on livestock in Chile, and I also have a position for South America in the Food Science Center and Expert Services. I’ve been working here for the last 20 years, so very long time, and I enjoy this work!

Alejandra Cifuentes

My name is Vivian Zhang from China. I am the China Quality Technical Director.
I have worked in the field of chemical and analysis for almost 20 years and in Mérieux NutriSciences for about 18 years.

Vivian Zhang

My name is Giulia Chitarrini, I’m from Italy. I am a biologist, and I studied nutrition and biology. During my PhD, I moved into the chemistry world. Working on food and plants and metabolomics. Today I’m a food specialist at Mérieux Nutrisciences, I am based in Italy and I work as a technical and scientific support for customers.

Giulia Chitarrini

My name is Sherri Stephens. I’m a Technical Sales Manager at Mérieux Nutrisciences. I’ve been with the company for a total of 12 years. I’ve been in the food industry for probably around 18 years.

Sherri Stephens

What led you to choose a career in science?

I am a pharmacist, I chose this profession because I think it is an interesting mix between biology and chemistry and because this knowledge can explain the science of life, our living environment. We can also understand health, illness, behavior and how to understand the real and current fundamentals with all the permanent development.I think it is very attractive to decide to what to study!

Alejandra Cifuentes

Since my childhood, I have been curious about the functioning of nature. I can still remember the excitement I felt when I first encountered the subject of chemistry as a teenager. The laws of matter the changes of various compounds, incredible experiments, all kinds of things fascinated me deeply. I want to know more about them, which leads me to study science and choose chemical analysis as my career. I often feel like a ‘detective’ who tries to solve mysteries by – piece by piece – putting a puzzle together. Seeing the whole picture, in the end, is a great reward.

Vivian Zhang

None in my family works in science.I wanted to be an archaeologist. Something happened during my last high school year; together with other 3 students we participated in a project “the beauty between art and science “. We won an educational trip focused on art and science. We spent a few days in a molecular biology lab performing some basic experiments. After that experience my future was clear in my mind – I wanted to be a biologist.

Giulia Chitarrini

From a young age I enjoyed science classes and knew that I would pursue a career in the Science field. I took a variety of science classes: Botany, Zoology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Microbiology to explore all areas and find the area in which I was most interested in to pursue.

Sherri Stephens

Which female scientist(s) have inspired you in your career and why?

Sincerely, I never thought about that, I think, it was a very fluid process. I think when I was younger, I remember when I was in school, my biology teacher, I think she could influence me, mainly because she explained that subject in a very simple way, and also because she could convey to all the students her powerful enthusiasm for biology and how we could understand it and apply it. I think this was very important!

Alejandra Cifuentes

Many women in science and technology, famous and unfamous, have inspired me in my career; such as the famous Rosalind Franklin, the discoverer of DNA structure, who is an outstanding female scientist who has inspired many female science workers. But what always inspires me is the not-so-well-known female scientific workers who accompanied me while growing up and learning. They are my teachers, colleagues, and friends. I see more love for science, persistence, and self-breakthrough from them.

Vivian Zhang

There are many female scientists that I admire. The person who has been my inspiration, is a colleague, a friend and a chemistry woman. I met her at the beginning of my career. She inspired me in being curious, determined and ready for changes. And also to enjoy doing our job.

Giulia Chitarrini

My sister is a woman of science and has been a large influence in my life and impacted the direction that I have taken with my career. There have been many female scientists that I have met over my career that continue to inspire me. They have been mentors and colleagues that provide encouragement, support, and provide a constant avenue for learning. It is great to work as a team for a common goal of improving Food Safety.

Sherri Stephens

What would you say to inspire a young girl who wishes to study science?

I think in general, all women, we can love, live, create and think about science without limits! We have to be sure of that. And also, believe that we have all the tools, the skills to be motivated in this field. I think that for the new generation, we must transmit, give support, visibility, share experience with other women and also transmit that all the new generations could be protagonists of their life in science. I think that all the challenges of the future are for all of us.

Alejandra Cifuentes

I am glad to see more and more women joining scientific careers. As I once heard a saying: If women’s talents are ignored, half of human intelligence is wasted. Young girls, believe in yourself and dare to break stereotypes. Believe in your talents, be true to your heart, and pursue your scientific dreams.

Vivian Zhang

To the young girls who wishes to study science I would say don’t be afraid of science, and be determined to follow your interests. Science is everywhere and for everyone.

Giulia Chitarrini

I would say to be open to exploring all areas of Science. Science is an ever changing field, find a path that you enjoy and where you find yourself WANTING to learn more each day.

Sherri Stephens

What changes, if any, would you like to see in the next 5 years to support more women in science?

I think that at least in our South American countries we could bring, or our law could give us more support or a more attractive way, in school, curiosity for science, curiosity for life. I think it’s a simple and effective way to get students interested in science. I think that in school and in all the years, and especially in the last one, thinking about the university, I think it is important to show how is the real life, how are the applications of science, not only very far or very fast, it is part of our actual and real life.

Alejandra Cifuentes

It has to be admitted that in science, although much has changed, it is still a male-dominated field, especially in the top research fields. I hope everyone can eliminate prejudice and stereotypes and encourage girls to study science and pursue scientific careers. More opportunities can be given to women so that they have more opportunities to show their talents and abilities. In addition to the inspiration of females, I think it is equally important for men in science to inspire women and girls.

Vivian Zhang

The scientific world has changed and is constantly changing. I think that flexible work, family leave, and childcare support, can benefit both women and men.

Giulia Chitarrini

I would like to see women continuing to pursue whatever path they are passionate about. Do not be concerned with past precedence, of fields being male dominated. We have and will continue to have intelligent, powerful Women in Science!

Sherri Stephens