Toward More Women-Friendly Research Cultures: A Conversation with Dr Tatiana Cajuso

From a very young age, I was fascinated by understanding biological processes and asking “why.” For example, I experienced migraines early in life, which sparked my curiosity about what happens in the human brain to cause pain. That curiosity made biology feel like a natural fit.

Looking back, my path seems coherent, but at the time it was shaped by curiosity and opportunity rather than a fixed plan. After my studies, I pursued a Master’s degree both to deepen my knowledge and to study abroad. During this time, I came to Finland for an Erasmus internship, where I became deeply interested in cancer research and decided to pursue a PhD.

During my PhD, an unexpected finding became central to my thesis and shaped my research direction. A professor in the US working on related questions inspired me to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship there.

After two years, I returned to Europe to broaden my research and be closer to my family, which led me to my current role as a senior scientist.

Several people played a crucial role at different stages. One was my high school biology teacher, who encouraged me at a moment when I doubted whether I was “good enough” for science and considered choosing an easier path. His confidence in me helped me follow my passion rather than my fear.

Later, a professor at the University of Barcelona, who became my Master’s supervisor, encouraged me to pursue research and supported my decision to go abroad. That experience laid the foundation for my scientific career.

Finally, my PhD supervisor in Finland offered me the opportunity to pursue doctoral studies when I expressed my interest. Without that support, I may not have remained in academia. While my current role is broader and involves many responsibilities, my motivation for research remains very strong.

Looking back, one of the biggest challenges may have been the lack of visible role models. Historically, many contributions by women scientists were overlooked or under-recognised, such as Rosalind Franklin’s work, which helped underpin the discovery of the DNA double helix, or Barbara McClintock’s pioneering view of mobile DNA, which was not fully accepted by the scientific community until years later. This long history of limited acknowledgement can shape how women see their place in science and can decrease confidence. In addition, senior leadership positions in science have tended to be more male dominated, which can reinforce the perception that there are fewer pathways or fewer examples to follow.

For me, these dynamics may have sometimes translated into a tendency to question myself more than my peers, along with a feeling that I need to work harder to prove my competence. While this drive can be motivating, it can also create persistent self-doubt and lower confidence, factors that can contribute to women leaving academic science.

Yes, there have been clear and positive changes. Historically, many female scientists did not receive recognition proportional to their contributions, and this has thankfully begun to change. Today, there are more women in science and increasing visibility of women in leadership roles.

Broader societal shifts toward gender equality already play an important role, but concrete institutional measures are also critical. Gender equality plans at the institutional and funding-agency levels help make inclusion a structural priority rather than an individual responsibility. In day-to-day research, further improvements in fair and transparent recruitment, inclusive leadership, and better workload recognition can make a difference. It is also important to acknowledge and value “invisible work,” such as mentoring and committee service, and to ensure it is distributed fairly.

Healthcare research has historically been more focused on male populations, leading to gaps in understanding conditions that predominantly affect women or present differently across sexes and genders. Increasing diversity among researchers and clinicians broadens the range of questions asked and can improve awareness of sex- and gender-related differences in disease.

My advice would be to follow your curiosity and passion with confidence. If science genuinely excites you, trust that interest and pursue it with persistence and dedication. There will be moments of doubt. Seek mentors, support one another, and remember that science benefits enormously from diverse voices.