The Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI) celebrates this year鈥檚 International Women's Day through the achievements and contributions of women in academia while highlighting the importance of empowering the next generation. This year's focus is on training, inspiring, and mentoring women, particularly in the field of scientific research.
The GCI recognizes the critical role mentorship plays in fostering the success of aspiring female researchers. As more women join and successfully complete graduate research programs, the newly found equilibrium between men and women is not reflected in higher leadership positions, particularly at the faculty and tenured levels []. Mara Whitford, PhD candidate at the GCI, reflects on the importance of mentorship and shares her advice: 鈥�My advice to new or prospective female students would be to seek out female mentors, and to actively build a network of strong, like-minded women who can support you throughout your graduate studies and beyond.鈥�
The GCI and 苹果淫院 are actively involved in numerous initiatives aimed at closing the gender gap in science and promoting inclusivity. Professor Katie Cockburn, Ph.D., emphasizes the importance of a strong support system while navigating the rough waters of research: 鈥�Surround yourself with people who inspire you, challenge you, and lift you up. Science and academia can be tough, and you need to feel like the people around you have your back.鈥� For more information and resources, please visit Your Health and Wellness Resources.
In an effort to showcase the diverse perspectives within the GCI's academic community, we reached out to women at different stages of their research training and asked them to share advice with those aspiring to follow in their footsteps.
Post-doctoral fellow Tetiana Petrachkova offers her insights on the importance of passion for science: 鈥�Fuel you passion for research! This is your chance to fully immerse yourself in research, working alongside renowned experts at the forefront of your field. Imagine collaborating with brilliant minds, tackling challenging questions, and contributing to projects with the potential to revolutionize your area. Let your passion be your guide as you pursue discoveries that could impact the world!鈥�
Echoing Tetiana鈥檚 wisdom is MSc candidate Elizabeth Podleszanski: 鈥�My advice to those undergraduates considering a master鈥檚 degree is to choose a field of research that you are truly passionate about. During your research you will face many obstacles; doing work that you find meaningful makes it all worthwhile.鈥�
Like many of us, Ana Piric launched her journey in cancer research during her undergraduate studies and inspires us to believe in our own potential: 鈥�My advice above all would be to believe in yourself 鈥� don't just believe in your goals, but also your capability to accomplish them. I have learned that you have to be your own biggest fan, you have to root for yourself, and you cannot start to make bigger goals until you acknowledge that everything you have already accomplished has made you more than capable of achieving anything you set your mind to.鈥�
As the GCI celebrates exceptional women every day and on International Women's Day, we focus on fostering mentorship, providing inspiration, and sharing valuable advice with the next generation of women in scientific leadership.