Although they’re from two different continents, memories of their blossoming scientific interest play out very similarly for Sylvia Tong (China), Regina Mayor (Spain) and Urooj Imam (Pakistan).
Sylvia Tong, Medical Country Lead China, Roche Diabetes Care, Shanghai
Regina Mayor, Medical Cluster and Country Lead, Roche Diabetes Care, Sant Cugat
Urooj Imam, Cluster Medical Lead, Asia Emerging Markets, Roche Diabetes Care, Karachi
As youths, they were curious about the world around them, and one strong role model was all it took to inspire them to understand it through the framework of science. Urooj was first motivated to get into medicine by her family doctor. Regina’s high school teacher was “so passionate about science and his profession” that she couldn’t help but fall in love with biology on the first day of class. Sylvia, for her part, was sparked to make her mark in the scientific world as a way to make up for the regrets of her mother’s past, “an intelligent woman whose educational opportunity was disrupted by historical chance.”
But it takes more than interest to make it in the STEM world. Urooj admits that while pursuing a medical career, she was often “undermined, underestimated and underpaid.” Even though it continues to be a “hard job,” she has always been able to draw strength from her very supportive family.
Regina also acknowledges that a support network is essential to help guide, inspire and reinforce self-esteem at all stages of the journey: for young people in school, for people at the height of their scientific careers and for those who become working parents. The mother of two would like to see more “mentors that are passionate professionals but also dedicated parents.”
Our three colleagues predict a bright future would like to pay it forward by sharing some of what they’ve learned along the way.
Regina urges young people to “fight for recognition.” What often happens in scientific research, she explains, is that “You always go the extra mile and work beyond your responsibilities and expectations when you’re testing a hypothesis, but without recognition”. She warns: “We shouldn’t normalise this fact.”
Scientists always have to be curious and relentless about truth, and Sylvia encourages young people in STEM to keep believing in themselves and their ideas: “A scientist can never give up, never take others’ opinions as fact and never stop thinking about ‘why,’” she cautions.
Despite its challenges, a career in STEM is incredibly rewarding, and Sylvia, Urooj and Regina wouldn’t have it any other way. The biggest perk? Being able to turn their love of science into real solutions that can improve the health of millions of people. In Urooj’s words, the best part of the job is “bringing about a positive change for patients.”
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