Science has long been a domain where women have had to fight for recognition, but today, pioneering female scientists are leading the charge in transforming our world. Their groundbreaking research spans multiple disciplines, from climate science to medical innovation, and their work inspires future generations. Here are six influential women shaping the future of science today.
Jennifer Doudna – Revolutionising Genetics
Jennifer Doudna, as a pioneer in gene-editing technology, along with Emmanuelle Charpentier were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020. This is the first time that any of the science prizes have been awarded to two women without a male collaborator listed on the award.
“Just because we are not ready for scientific progress does not mean it won’t happen.”
Jennifer A. Doudna, A Crack In Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution
The prize honours their work on the technology of genome editing as they discovered the Crispr-Cas9 genetic scissors that make specific and precise changes to DNA contained in living cells. Their work has already contributed to important research and will be revolutionary in treating inherited illnesses. CRISPR is already being used to address genetic disorders like sickle cell anemia and holds potential for curing diseases once thought incurable.
Emmanuelle Charpentier – Engineering Life
Already mentioned, another key figure in the creation of CRISPR-Cas9, Emmanuelle Charpentier, shared the Nobel Prize with Jennifer Doudna. Her research aims to comprehend the immune systems of bacteria in order to develop revolutionary genetic engineering applications. Charpentier’s research demonstrates the value of teamwork in producing significant scientific advances.
“I hope that this will provide a positive message specifically for young girls who would like to follow the path of science… and to show them that women in science can also have an impact with the research they are performing.”
Emmanuelle Charpentier
Katie Bouman – Capturing Black Holes
In 2019, Katie Bouman gained international recognition as one of the principal scientists responsible for the first-ever black hole image. To accomplish this remarkable achievement, her algorithms integrated information from a global network of observatories. Our knowledge of black holes is improved by Bouman’s contributions to computational imaging, which also pave the way for novel uses in astronomy and other fields.
“I’d like to encourage all of you to go out and help push the boundaries of science, even if it may at first seem as mysterious to you as a black hole.”
– Katie Bouman
Fei- Fei Li – Advancing AI for Humanity
A computer scientist and prominent pioneer of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Fei-Fei Li is the co-founder of AI4ALL, a non-profit aimed at improving diversity in AI. She is also recognised for her work on the ImageNet where she trained the first computer to recognise, interpret and understand images. By doing so she contributed to the development of a database of over 15 million images.
As a professor at Stanford University and co-director of the Human-Centered AI Institute, she advocates for ethical AI development. Her vision ensures AI serves humanity, from enhancing healthcare diagnostics to fostering inclusion in technology.
“If you were a computer and read all the AI articles and extracted out the names that are quoted, I guarantee you that women rarely show up. For every woman who has been quoted about AI technology, there are a hundred more times men have been quoted.”
– Fei Fei Li
Kiara Nirghin – Revolutionising Agriculture
At 16, Kiara Nirghin was named winner of the 2016 Google Science Fair for her creation of a super absorbent polymer made from orange peel and avocado skins. Capable of retaining over 100x its mass, this polymer offers the opportunity to revolutionise water conservation and to sustain crops during a drought. It also has the potential to be applied to agriculture fields and to increase global food security, particularly in countries that suffer from droughts.
“We can encourage more women and girls to pursue STEM careers by showcasing more positive role models and other women’s success stories. Role models are so important because they are proof to young girls and aspiring scientists that they too can achieve their dreams.“
– Kiara Nirghin, UN Women’s I am Generation Equality campaign
Marcia McNutt – Driving Climate Science
Marcia McNutt, a geophysicist and president of the National Academy of Sciences, has made significant contributions to our knowledge of Earth’s processes. By emphasising sustainability and resilience in the face of environmental issues, she has played a significant role in advancing climate change research and policy. McNutt’s leadership encourages evidence-based solutions to global crises.
“Science is not a body of facts. Science is a method for deciding whether what we choose to believe has a basis in the laws of nature or not.”
– Marcia McNutt
Women Leading the Way
In addition to making strides in their disciplines, these scientists serve as mentors for future researchers. They demonstrate that science has an inclusive, creative, and daring future by dismantling barriers and dispelling myths.
According to Stem Women’s ‘Women in STEM statistics’, more than 1 million new STEM jobs have been created in the previous seven years, indicating that the STEM sector is still expanding quickly. Though they make up just over 25% of the STEM workforce overall, women are still under-represented in the field. According to recent official census data, women now account for 26% of STEM workers. Even while this is a slow improvement, equal participation in STEM would not be achieved until 2070 if current trends continue.
Addressing this inequality between men and women in the industry is hugely important. To find out more about women in technical fields, read our report on Women in STEM in the EU or find out more from organisations and personal experiences here.
