Women Advancing the Field of Microbiology
International Day of Women and Girls in Science is a time for us all to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution that women and girls have made to science.
To mark this awareness day, we spoke to three women in our network who are advancing the field of microbiology. We asked Dr Samantha McLean from Nottingham Trent University, Dr Freya Harrison from the University of Warwick and Dr Sandra Wilks from the University of Southampton to share their stories of how they got into science and any advice they would give to someone who wants to pursue a career in this field.
Dr Samantha McLean – Nottingham Trent University
“My curiosity about the natural world has been a constant throughout my life. As a child, I would spend hours in the garden observing bees, captivated by their activity and behaviour. This early fascination ignited a lifelong passion for science. As I grew older, my interest shifted to microbes; tiny organisms with the power to shape our world in profound ways.”
“This curiosity led me to study Microbiology at the University of Leeds, followed by a PhD at the University of Sheffield. My academic journey continued with three post-doctoral research positions before I joined Nottingham Trent University, where I now serve as an Associate Professor of Infection Prevention and Control.”
“In my role, I have the privilege of leading a research group and collaborating with scientists worldwide to tackle critical challenges in infection and antimicrobial resistance. Equally rewarding is the opportunity to mentor and train the next generation of scientists, guiding them as they embark on their own career journeys.”
“For anyone hoping to pursue a career in science, my advice is simple: let your curiosity guide you and stay persistent in the face of challenges, these are the foundations of success!”
Dr Freya Harrison – University of Warwick
“I actually chose my A-level subjects – the courses we study in the UK from the ages of 16-18 – with a view to studying politics at university, but I included Environmental Science in my choices because I did enjoy sciences and wanted to keep it in my curriculum. It was this course, with its experimental work and problem-solving, that made me realise that actually I was a scientist at heart and I really, really wanted to do a degree in biology. So I added Biology to my subjects and that confirmed that I’d made the right choice. My school had a big emphasis on practical lab and field work and I enjoyed that a lot. I realised that research was exciting and satisfying.”
“I did a degree in Biological Sciences at Oxford, where I discovered the field of experimental evolution in bacteria (as Richard Lenski said, it’s like having a time machine!) and found out a bit more about what a career in research might actually involve. Based on my interest in experimental evolution, one of my tutors recommended talking to Prof. Angus Buckling about possible PhDs and I ended up in his lab, working on the evolution of cooperative iron-scavenging in P. aeruginosa and its possible dynamics in chronic biofilm infections of cystic fibrosis lungs. I actually did a working gap year between my first degree and my PhD and this was great preparation for the PhD – I did a short research project in an academic lab and also a few months as a research assistant at the Sainsbury Lab in Norwich.”
“I have an academic position at the University of Warwick, which is split between research and teaching. I run a research group, which involves planning and designing research, finding funding, recruiting and mentoring students and staff, and working with colleagues to collaborate on shared and interdisciplinary research. There is also a lot of form-filling and meetings, which I had not fully anticipated when I set my heart on this career. I also design undergraduate and postgraduate taught modules, and deliver lectures, workshops, practical classes and small-group tutorials. I am currently course director for our Biological Sciences degree, which I am very much enjoying. This involves looking at what we teach and how we teach it, ensuring that we have a balanced and up-to-date curriculum that draws on our research strengths to give students useful knowledge and skills.”
“What I enjoy most about having a career in science is the creativity. Ever since I was little, I’ve loved making and building things. Fundamentally, that’s what science is! I also enjoy the social aspect – my research is very interdisciplinary, and as technologies in science have developed the need to work with colleagues from different specialisms has increased. I like learning new things. And finally, I like the fact that I am in a position to do something that might make a difference to people’s lives and health.”
“My advice for pursuing a career in science would be talk to people who are at different points along the career paths that you are currently interested in – find out how they got there, what they do each day, what they enjoy and what they dislike about their jobs. And don’t be afraid to ask questions, or to ask for opportunities (lab visits, conversations over coffee, project or work experience placements) – lots of people will be very willing to help you if they can. Oh, and fight the notion that PhDs and academia are all-consuming vocations that should take over your life. This idea is dying out, thankfully, and being a scientist is just a job like any other – albeit one that can bring you a huge amount of opportunities and satisfaction.”
Dr Sandra Wilks – University of Southampton
“I became interested in science when I was very young – I remember being at primary school and looking at moss and acorns under a magnifying glass and then asking my parents for one at home! I continued this interest through school and always knew I wanted to study biology, which I did at Brunel University where I was fortunate to complete 3 placements, each of 6 months, two were at the British Antarctic Survey where I investigated microbial communities collected from sea ice. This led to my PhD in marine microbiology.”
“Since then, all my work has been around understanding microbial communities, particularly biofilms. Now I work mainly in the areas of infection prevention and control – looking at how to improve medical devices like urinary catheters and the role of the built environment and dry surface biofilms. My time is split between research and teaching and one of the most rewarding parts of my job is working with our students and hopefully helping them to develop an interest in microbiology. In research, I really enjoy that there is always something new to learn and so much still to discover.”
“For anyone interested in a career in science, my main advice would be to try to find what really interests you and then just go for it, it is a great community to be part of.”