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Women in cell biology: how personal lives shape careers

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology volume 7, pages 378–380 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

For women scientists who have 'made it', there is no standard route to personal happiness and professional success, although a universal attribute is an enduring passion for science. Growing up, some scientists enjoyed parental support, whereas for others low expectations or a geographical disadvantage were a spur to achievement. Partners can be good, bad or indifferent, but having children is not a bar to success.

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Figure 1: Danielle Dhouailly with her grand-father in Tunisia.
Figure 2: Elisabetta Dejana as a girl in Bologna.
Figure 3: Irene Leigh as a young mother.

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Acknowledgements

I am deeply grateful to all the women I interviewed, for their frankness and generosity. I would particularly like to thank Joyce Taylor-Papadimitriou, my first interviewee, because she was one of the inspirations for the series and has been an inspiration to many women scientists.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PX, UK

    Fiona M. Watt

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  1. Fiona M. Watt
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The author declares no competing financial interests.

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Watt, F. Women in cell biology: how personal lives shape careers. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 7, 378–380 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm1913

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