It’s Science Week, and what better way to celebrate than by learning about amazing women who have turned their love for science into successful businesses? These incredible women are using their STEM skills to solve big problems and help people all over the world. Let’s meet them!
Michelle Simmons (Australia)
Michelle Simmons is a scientist working on super-smart computers called quantum computers. She started Silicon Quantum Computing to make these amazing computers that can solve problems that regular ones can’t. Imagine a clever computer taking on an even more clever computers!
Helen Lee (UK)
Helen Lee developed simple tests to determine whether people have certain diseases. She started a company called Diagnostics for the Real World to ensure that these tests can be used in places that need them the most. Her work helps doctors quickly diagnose patients so they can get the right treatment.
Nina Tandon (USA)
Nina Tandon is the boss of EpiBone, a company that grows bones in a lab! These lab-grown bones can help people who need bone transplants. It’s like growing a new bone just for you!
Sarah Gilbert (UK)
Sarah Gilbert, with her company Vaccitech (now renamed Barinthus Bio), helped create the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Under such immense pressure, Sarah’s work has helped protect millions of people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ilaria Capua (Italy)
Ilaria Capua is a scientist who started the One Health Center of Excellence. She studies how the health of people, animals, and the environment are connected and why it’s important to take care of all three.
Mihaela van der Schaar (UK)
Mihaela van der Schaar is really skilled with computers and artificial intelligence (AI). She started the Cambridge Centre for AI in Medicine, where smart computers help doctors treat patients better and faster. We all know that AI is the future, so what Mihaela has done is very forward-thinking!
Suchitra Ella (India)
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw started Biocon, a big company that makes medicines for diseases like diabetes and cancer. She began in a small garage and turned her company into one of the biggest in India!
Ola Orekunrin (Nigeria)
Ola Orekunrin is a doctor who started Flying Doctors Nigeria, the first air ambulance service in West Africa. Her team flies in helicopters and planes to help people in medical emergencies get to the hospital quickly.
Suchitra Ella (India)
Suchitra Ella co-founded Bharat Biotech, which makes vaccines to protect people from diseases. One of their vaccines is Covaxin, which helps protect people from COVID-19.
Jennifer Doudna (USA)
Jennifer Doudna helped create a special tool called CRISPR-Cas9, which lets scientists change genes in living things. Think of it like editing a document on your computer! She also started several companies, like Caribou Biosciences and Intellia Therapeutics, that are working to fix diseases caused by faulty genes—how inspirational is that!
Paula del Cid (Guatemala)
Paula del Cid started Nutri-Vida, a company that makes healthy food to help people get the nutrition they need. Her work is helping create better food for everyone.
Huda Zoghbi (Lebanon/USA)
Huda Zoghbi is a scientist who studies how the brain works. She helped start the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute and works on finding treatments for brain disorders and helping people live healthier lives – what a mission!
These women show us that with passion, creativity, and hard work, you can turn your dreams in STEM into amazing and helpful businesses that make our world a better place. So, as you celebrate Science Week, remember that your interest in STEM activities can lead to fantastic and world-changing possibilities.
With the support of the Academy, keep developing your core skills in entrepreneurship, problem-solving and critical thinking, and maybe one day, you’ll be the next enterprising female we celebrate!
