Tuesday, 11 February is the United Nation’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science – a day that reminds us of the critical roles women and girls play in science and technology communities and that their participation should be strengthened.
This International Day of Women and Girls in Science, AUNZ’s largest oncology research group, Breast Cancer Trials, wants to celebrate and showcase some of the incredible women working with their organisation, helping to save lives, asking them how they got into the STEM field and why they would recommend it as a great career for young women considering their own educational and career pathways.
Breast Cancer Trials conducts clinical trials research for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. The goal is to hopefully encourage other women to get involved in STEM and help address the gender imbalance in these fields of work.
The quest for gender equality in STEM
Although Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields are widely regarded as critical to national economies, most countries, no matter how developed, have not achieved gender equality in STEM and women in science so far.
At a Study Australia Live event in 2024, the panel explained that this year (2025), 90 per cent of jobs will require STEM skills. The 2024 State of STEM gender equity research stated that the numbers of women enrolling in university STEM courses and working in STEM jobs have increased. However, only 37 per cent of university STEM enrolments are from women, and women represent just 15 per cent of all people working in STEM jobs. Additionally, only 23 per cent of senior management and eight per cent of CEOs in STEM-qualified industries are women.
Breast Cancer Trials posed a series of questions to a range of women across their network – from Professors and Study Chairs to early career researchers and members of the Consumer Advisory Panel (CAP) – to demonstrate the variety of STEM careers young women can explore.
My STEM story:
- Jenna Dean, Senior Research Radiation Therapist at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre, Melbourne
What did you study?
“I did my Bachelor’s degree in Medical Radiation Science, which included mathematics, human bioscience and physics/technology-based subjects.”
What strategies or resources were most helpful in supporting your STEM education?
“Finding a good mentor and choosing subjects that I found interesting.”
What are some of the main benefits for a role in STEM for women?
“The opportunities! Seeing how the technology and techniques we use have changed over time has meant that there is always something new to learn; providing new ways to challenge yourself and grow. The scope of roles available for radiation therapists has also changed over time, in my current role I get to focus on doing and supporting research which is how we get the evidence we need to change practice and ultimately improve patient outcomes.”
Why is it important to have more women in the STEM fields?
“Women bring different experience and backgrounds to STEM fields which can provide a wider range of perspectives to support development and innovation. The team designing research, products and technology must consider the varied needs of consumers, which is more effective with a diverse team.”
Do you have any STEM heroes? Who are they and why?
“Marie Curie! Paving the way for women to be involved in science and research. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and is still the only woman to win one in two different fields (physics and chemistry). Her work championed the use of radiation in medicine after discovering that radiation destroyed diseased cells faster than healthy cells and could therefore be used to treat tumours, the theory which still applies for radiation therapy today.”
- Laura McCambridge, Clinical Research Associate in Melbourne
What strategies or resources were most helpful in supporting your STEM education?
“I was very lucky to have teachers right from the beginning who encouraged me to pursue my interests in science and maths. My school allowed younger students to join older students’ classes, which I thought was excellent as you would never be bored. The best strategy is to put your hands up for opportunities, and to seek out learning opportunities outside of your niche area of interest. Some STEM fields are unfortunately fairly siloed, so I think it’s important to make your own connections outside of your immediate network.”
What or who inspired you to get involved in the STEM area?
“I’ve always been a problem-solver, which is why stepping into a field full of unanswered questions felt like a natural fit. The exciting thing about science is that discovering the answer to one question often leads to a cascade of new questions to explore.
“Unfortunately, I have my own personal experience with breast cancer, but fortunately this led me to my current role at BCT. Learning about the science that led to my life-saving treatment, as I was receiving the treatment was really inspiring, so I wanted to get involved with the amazing work that BCT is doing.”
What are some of the main benefits for a role in STEM for women?
“The main benefits for a role in STEM for women are the same as they would be for men. With a role in STEM, you can have an impact on advancing knowledge, driving change, and hopefully contributing to a better society.
“STEM roles offer you opportunity to collaborate and even be a part of a global team working towards a common goal. Roles in STEM allow you to continue to learn. I’ve been so happy to find that learning does not stop when you finish formal education, it is a lifelong pursuit.”
Why is it important to have more women in the STEM fields?
“A variety of perspectives are needed to solve complex problems, of which there are many in STEM! It’s crucial to have women in STEM, just as it’s essential to include other diverse groups. Diversity sparks new ideas and leads to better solutions. We need women to be involved with finding solutions for problems that affect women, it just makes sense.”
What would you say to younger women considering a career in the STEM areas?
“Remember that women have always contributed to STEM roles, we just haven’t always been recognised. Trust that you are meant to be in the room and act like you belong there, even if you don’t always feel that way.”
- Professor Prue Francis, Clinical Co-Lead Breast Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne
What or who inspired you to get involved in the STEM area?
“My mother encouraged all eight of her children to study four STEM subjects in their final year of high school. She told us, if we did not study STEM subjects when we were young, we would probably never really understand science later in life, but that we could pick up humanities at any stage of life.”
“Growing up in a big family, we learned to play games including chess and bridge and puzzles or quizzes. These games typically involved memory or numbers in some way, so we were having fun while participating, without knowing we were really learning.”
What would you say to younger women considering a career in the STEM areas?
“Go for it!”
Do you have any STEM heroes? Who are they and why?
“Professor Priscilla Kincaid-Smith (dec) who was a pioneering female specialist in kidney disease and discovered in the 1960s-1970s, that widely used available over the counter pain killers in Australia were causing kidney failure – her research must have saved many lives.”
Career highlights to date?
“A career highlight was my involvement in research testing different hormone treatments in patients with breast cancer, that showed cancer recurrence could be reduced.”
- Dr Marion Kuper-Hommel MD PhD (NL) FRACP, Specialist Medical Oncologist, New Zealand
What STEM subjects did you study at uni?
“I studied Medicine for my higher education. Mathemathics, biology, physics, chemistry were subjects I studied at high school, required for entry into medicine studies.”
What was your first role out of higher education?
“My first role was a house surgeon role in general medicine. I was allocated to a run in renal medicine and the haemodialysis service.”
What strategies or resources were most helpful in supporting your STEM education?
“From an early age, I felt a strong calling to help others, which led me to pursue a career in medicine. During high school, I focused on subjects like mathematics, biology, physics, and chemistry, which laid the foundation for my medical studies.
“But what set me apart in this competitive field were the extracurricular activities I sought out. I worked as a health care assistant in a geriatric ward, volunteered in a community swimming club and developed my communication skills by serving on the youth board of the swimming club.
“Medicine wasn’t just a career choice for me – it was a mission. I wanted to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives by combining scientific knowledge with compassionate care. I truly believe that practising medicine is not just a job; it’s a lifestyle and a calling to improve the lives of those around us.”
What or who inspired you to get involved in the STEM area?
“My path to medicine was deeply influenced by personal experiences. My summer job as a healthcare assistant in a geriatric ward gave me a front-row seat to the challenges patients face, especially those dealing with complex health conditions. Additionally, watching my grandmother’s battle with cancer gave me a personal understanding of the importance of compassionate medical care.
“I knew that I wanted to be part of a field that combined the best of science with deep empathy for patients. That is what ultimately led me to choose medicine as my career.”
What would you say to younger women considering a career in the STEM areas?
“For me, pursuing a career in medicine has always been about more than personal achievement. It’s about empowering other women to enter and thrive in STEM fields. In medicine, especially in specialties like breast cancer care, there is a genuine need for more women to be involved in both treatment and research.
“If there’s one piece of advice I’d give to younger women considering a career in STEM, it’s this: Follow your dreams. If you have a passion for science and a desire to make a difference in people’s lives, then you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. There’s no limit to what you can achieve in this field.”
- Dr Sarah Zardawi, Clinical Trial Fellow with Breast Cancer Trials (BCT)
What strategies or resources were most helpful in supporting your STEM education?
“Exposure and experiences have been important in leading me to work as a clinician researcher. These include the National Youth Science Forum at High School, completing an honours project during medical school, undertaking research during my specialist training and more recently working at both the patient and operational sides of medical research as an oncology clinical trials fellow.
“These experiences have shown me the various opportunities in medical research and built my skills in literature appraisal, statistical analysis, critical thinking and scientific writing, as well as teamwork, time management and leadership.”
What or who inspired you to study and work in STEM?
“I have been inspired to work in medical research by the many wonderful doctors who I have worked with at the various stages of my career who strive for better outcomes for their patients. As a student and young doctor, I felt overwhelmed by trying to stay on top of all the changes in medicine but remember realising that these developments represented new and better treatments for my patients.
“This is particularly so in medical oncology (cancer medicine), where there have been numerous new treatments for patients in the (relatively) short time that I have been working. I particularly admire clinical researchers who both treat patients and undertake research, who have unique insights into the research that is most valuable to patients, based on their own experiences caring for patients.”
What are some of the main benefits for women who pursue roles in STEM?
“Opportunity! The number STEM occupations are growing rapidly which represent so many chances for women to be involved in changing what we know about the world. Even if you don’t initially study a STEM discipline there are many ways to end up in STEM fields.”
Why is it important to have more women in the STEM fields?
“Sadly, women are under-represented in STEM fields. Women offer unique skills and perspectives in any area of work. Attributes of empathy, communication, balance, vulnerability and generosity can inspire teams to achieve great things and enjoy the journey along the way.”
What would you say to younger women considering a career in the STEM areas?
“Go for it! It is very rewarding to contribute to something larger than yourself.”
- Karen Price, Breast Cancer Trials CEO
Can you give us a brief outline of your career?
“Starting in the sport sector, the vast majority of my career has been in the health sector. In government and non-government roles, I’ve been drawn to areas of health where inequality is a key driver. Recently, I was honoured to be appointed to the NSW Women’s Advisory Council. In this role, I have a focus on advancing gender equality across a range of issues – including economic, social, health and safety.
What did you study at university?
“Education and Public Health.”
When did your passion for science start?
“I am passionate about seeing women participate, lead and thrive – especially in areas where gender has been a traditional barrier. Whether that is in board rooms, the c-suite, in STEM, sport or any other area, I am passionate about trailblazers who pave the way for others and make a real difference to our society, our health, relationships and shared prosperity. In this role, it is inspiring to see imminently qualified, world-renowned women leading national and international scientific research to improve the prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer.”
Why is it important to have more women in STEM roles?
“Equality will be in our grasp when this question is no longer relevant. We should only stop talking about this issue when it is thoroughly unremarkable when women are working in STEM in equivalent proportions in every role – governance, management, laboratory or factory floor, engineering our bridges, designing clean energy solutions, performing your surgeries and the list goes on.
“Less than 20 per cent of STEM-qualified industry jobs are held by women in Australia. The economic and other benefits that will flow from the STEM jobs of the future should absolutely be shared – gender should be irrelevant. The hard fact is that gender is still a significant barrier – so the focus on women in STEM is important for highlighting the progress we still need to make. It will take cultural shifts and system change – and acceptance that no one is disadvantaged when more women are in STEM roles. There are plenty of roles to go around in STEM.”
- Professor Fran Boyle, Professor of Medical Oncology, University of Sydney and Mater Hospital
What subjects did you study and what was your first role after uni?
“Physics, chemistry, zoology, anatomy and pathology were part of my undergraduate medical degree. I started as an intern at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane in 1985.”
What strategies or resources were most helpful in supporting your STEM education?
“I had a group of good friends in high school who helped me with maths, physics and chemistry, while I helped them with English. We learnt to work as a team, and each build upon our strengths, sharing knowledge to help us all achieve better. And have a lot of fun.”
What or who inspired you to get involved in the STEM area?
“My father was a doctor in the Australian Army and had contacts with researchers who were studying malaria at John Curtin School in Canberra. They were amazing lateral thinkers and enjoyed cross-fertilising their laboratory findings with his knowledge of patient experiences. This was in the early days of cytokine discovery and groundbreaking work. I am now proud to work in a similar way with laboratory scientists to progress our knowledge of breast cancer.”
Why is it important to have more women in the STEM fields?
“There are so many challenges our world faces that can only be solved by science. We cannot afford to lose any good idea, or any clever person, so we need to make sure women participate in STEM as much as they desire.”
