9 February 2024

On February 11th, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a global initiative recognising women's pivotal contributions to science and technology. At Lifebit, we are proud to join this movement, amplifying the voices and stories of women shaping the future of STEM.

In a world where innovation knows no gender, our mission at Lifebit is to empower individuals to harness the power of data for groundbreaking discoveries in healthcare. This International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we renew our commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity within our industry and the research that we support, ensuring that every voice is heard and every talent is recognised.

Through interviews with women working in STEM roles at Lifebit, we shed light on their remarkable journeys, from overcoming challenges to achieving success in their respective fields. We hope these stories inspire and offer a guiding light for women and girls who are pursuing careers in science and technology.

Join us as we celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in science, not just today but every day. Together, let's continue to break barriers, challenge stereotypes and build a future where every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive in STEM.

Hadley Sheppard, PhD
Lead Capture Strategist

Q: How did your journey in science lead you to your current role at Lifebit?

A: I started my science career as an undergrad at the University of California, Davis, studying plant genetics. Later, I pursued a PhD in cancer genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, where I engaged in rare disease research and worked closely with the Chordoma Foundation. After my PhD, I won a fellowship to start my own group at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, where I focused on developing novel treatments for chordoma. I ultimately realised that to achieve a more rapid impact to benefit patients I wanted to move to the private sector, and wanted to use my grant writing expertise at Lifebit to support the company's mission of making data accessible and usable.


Q: What aspects of your work at Lifebit inspire you the most?

A: Lifebit's mission to lower the barriers that stand in the way of impactful research inspires me the most. Throughout my day-to-day work, the collaborative teamwork is also very inspiring and working with diverse stakeholders to create impactful solutions keeps me engaged and motivated.


Q: How has Lifebit supported your career development in science and technology?

A: Lifebit exposes me to cutting-edge areas of science and technology every day through evaluating different client needs and brainstorming solutions tailored to each case. This constant learning keeps me at the forefront of scientific advancements.


Q: In what ways does Lifebit contribute to challenging equality gaps and providing equal opportunities for women in science?

A: Lifebit CEO, Dr. Maria Dunford, and the other women in leadership, set an example of gender equality within the company. Additionally, supporting women's career growth and accommodating family needs fosters equal opportunities.


Q: What advice would you give to women and girls aspiring to pursue careers in science and technology?

A: Don't let discouragement hold you back. Follow your passion and trust in your capabilities. Focus on the positives and enjoy the journey.


Q: What advice do you have for parents supporting their daughters' aspirations?

A: Support your daughters' aspirations, encourage them to pursue what feels right, and know that career paths can evolve. You can't anticipate what the perfect route to something is. Keep choosing what feels best for you, and you'll be in the right place.

Ilona Carneiro, PhD
Senior Epidemiologist & Senior Client Success Manager

Q: How did your journey in science lead you to your current role at Lifebit?

A: I started as an academic researcher in infectious diseases, focusing on malaria and disease surveillance. Transitioning to Lifebit, I initially worked on using artificial intelligence for disease surveillance and later moved to client success, leveraging my science background to understand clients' needs.


Q: What aspects of your work at Lifebit inspire you the most?

A: Helping clients achieve their goals by making the most out of their data while ensuring patient privacy. Lifebit's focus on impact and data protection aligns with my values.


Q: How has Lifebit supported your career development in science and technology?

A: Lifebit has helped me update my skills in new technologies, such as federated analysis and artificial intelligence, applying my previous knowledge to the modern scientific landscape.


Q: In what ways does Lifebit contribute to challenging equality gaps and providing equal opportunities for women in science?

A: Lifebit is an equal opportunity employer that actively fosters a diverse and inclusive environment. Women, including those balancing parenthood, hold prominent positions within the company, serving as inspiring role models. Additionally, Lifebit's commitment to supporting career development and providing flexible work arrangements empowers women to thrive in science without sacrificing personal or family obligations. This approach cultivates an environment where women can excel and contribute meaningfully to scientific advancements.


Q: What advice would you give to women and girls aspiring to pursue careers in science and technology?

A: Never feel limited just because you're a woman. Gender has nothing to do with it.


Q: What advice do you have for parents supporting their daughters' aspirations?

A: I believe that exposure to inspiring stories and role models can ignite your interest in science. My own daughters weren't initially inclined towards science, but exposure to movies like 'Hidden Figures', showed them the incredible achievements of women in science and changed their perspective, inspiring them to pursue scientific careers. Keep exposing them to the wonders of science and encourage their curiosity and passion to make a difference.

Hannah Gaimster, PhD
Scientific Marketing Manager

Q: How did your journey in science lead you to your current role at Lifebit?

A: After obtaining my PhD in Genetics at The University of Cambridge, I spent about eight years working in lab-based roles in universities, focusing on researching bacteria and developing novel antibiotics.

However, the contract-based nature of these roles made me seek more job security. I also really enjoyed parts of these jobs that involved writing and communication. 

I explored these more with a part-time, freelance science writing role at a small life sciences marketing agency. This helped me decide I wanted to pursue a full-time position in science writing, marketing and communication, which is how I ended up at Lifebit.


Q: What aspects of your work at Lifebit inspire you the most?

A: I enjoy working across different teams at Lifebit, from design to product and sales and management. This diversity and collaboration is my favourite part of the job. Unlike lab-based roles, where interactions are primarily with other scientists, Lifebit allows me to engage with various professionals, keeping the work dynamic and engaging.


Q: How has Lifebit supported your career development in science and technology?

A: Lifebit has helped me carve out my own niche by encouraging me to focus on marketing and communications. I initially worked producing content across the sales and marketing teams, but now I am working on developing my marketing skills primarily, thanks to their support and flexibility.


Q: In what ways does Lifebit contribute to challenging equality gaps and providing equal opportunities for women in science?

A: Lifebit is committed to challenging equality gaps by having women in leadership positions. Both of my team leaders at Lifebit have been women, a refreshing change from my previous academic experiences, where male leaders were predominant. This inclusivity empowers women to pursue leadership roles.


Q: What advice would you give to women and girls aspiring to pursue careers in science and technology?

A: Don't let the historically male-dominated nature of science deter you. Seek supportive role models and mentors who can guide your career path. Also, don't be afraid to make career jumps or explore different roles—it can provide valuable experience and help you understand your preferences better.

Anya Iesenfeld
Bioinformatics Solutions Architect

Q: How did your journey in science lead you to your current role at Lifebit?

A: My scientific journey began with biochemistry during my university days. Initially, I aimed for a career as a wet lab scientist in academia. However, due to the impact of COVID-19, I pivoted to bioinformatics, drawn to its versatility and the ability to work remotely. After university, I continued in bioinformatics in the pharmaceutical sector, focusing on data integration and workflow optimization. Discovering Lifebit, a company with a similar focus, was a natural fit. Joining Lifebit allowed me to continue empowering researchers to access and analyse data more effectively, ultimately contributing to global discoveries.

Q: What aspects of your work at Lifebit inspire you the most?

A: The people I work with at Lifebit inspire me the most. The talent and camaraderie across teams have been incredible. Collaborating, problem-solving, and learning together have been invaluable experiences. Additionally, interacting with scientists and researchers and seeing how our solutions enable discoveries that can improve patient lives worldwide is highly inspiring.

Q: How has Lifebit supported your career development in science and technology?

A: Lifebit supports my career development by fostering a culture of continuous learning. I can access various learning opportunities and engage with genomics and precision medicine thought leaders through conferences and events. This exposure has been instrumental in my growth and understanding of our industries.

Q: In what ways does Lifebit contribute to challenging equality gaps and providing equal opportunities for women in science?

A: Lifebit demonstrates its commitment to challenging equality gaps by having many women, including those in senior and leadership positions. This inclusive environment empowers women to make career advancements and pursue learning experiences.

Q: What advice do you have for women and girls aspiring to pursue careers in science and technology?

A: My advice is simple and maybe even a little cheesy, but follow your dreams, trust your gut, and work hard. Whatever circumstances you may find yourself in, believe in yourself, and whatever you have set your mind to or dreamt of, you'll be able to achieve. 

Q: What advice do you have for parents supporting their daughters' aspirations?

A: Support your daughters’ aspirations, and help her embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. Balance your encouragement with the autonomy to explore her interests. Celebrate her effort and perseverance in her journey. 

About Lifebit

Lifebit provides pioneering technology to deliver trusted research environments for the analysis of highly sensitive biomedical and genomic data that is enabling scientific discoveries for improving and saving lives.