A collection of six interviews with women in science. It highlights the path they walked to find their current professional passion, starting from school! They all share a love of discovery, though working in different fields: neuroscience, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, and ecophysiology. Students will be able to see how the work they’re doing now in class – or their pastimes at home – might lead them to their own passion for science.
1. Anne Draelos, Neuroscientist
An early passion for Rube Goldberg machines led Anne Draelos on a journey from computer science and physics to her current field: neuroscience. Read about how she uses those machine-learning techniques developed as a kid to study brain neurons today.
2. Sarah Galvani-Townsend, Student Researcher
Inspiration from a homemade volcano, as well as her parents, led Sarah Galvani-Townsend to become SJK’s youngest science writer in 2018 – at just 11 years old! Read about what she’s been writing and researching since then.
3. Kaitlyn Varela, Biochemist
Kaitlyn Varela thought she wanted to become a doctor, but acquired a passion for both biology and chemistry through her study of natural products. Read about how she plans to use her research to cure diseases no one has been able to solve yet!
4. Kendra Sirak, Geneticist
As a student-athlete Kendra Sirak followed her passion for field hockey to the field of anthropology, and eventually to genetics. Read about how she uses DNA preserved in ancient bones to unlock the secrets of human histories around the world.
5. Tiffany Luong, Microbiologist
Tiffany Luong’s high-school passion for debate led her to the new field of phage therapy. Read about how she combines hands-on lab work with clinical reviews to make the case for phages as an alternative to antibiotics.
6. Shannon Currie, Ecophysiologist
As a child, Shannon Currie caught fireflies and toads in her backyard. Read about how her early passion for animal welfare and the environment led to a career studying bats’ bodies and how to help them survive in a changing world.
That’s Not All!
Use the links below to check out the full collection of video and audio interviews with more amazing scientists whose work is available in adapted versions here at Science Journal for Kids.
