Paula Rodriguez
Dr Paula Rodriguez is an in vitro fertilization Research & Development team leader at Genus plc. In an interview with our team, she explains how sharing childcare duties with her husband was fundamental to overcome obstacles as a mother in STEMM, which were compounded by living in a foreign country and working in a male-dominated field. She advises mothers “Most importantly, avoid guilt. That is our worst enemy, as it doesn't allow us to develop as we could, in any area.”
1. Please describe your job in one sentence.
I lead the Research & Development team leader specialized in in vitro fertilization at Genus plc.
2. What do you aspire to accomplish in your career and why?
I aspire to continue growing and developing new products in my field. I also want to facilitate the exchange of knowledge between academia and industry.
3. What do you consider to be your most important career achievement or milestone?
Building my entire career in a field I love and enjoying the things I do. Additionally, recognizing me as a scientist and a mother has been a personal triumph.
4. What career obstacles have you faced as a mother in STEMM? How did you overcome them?
I faced numerous obstacles as a mother in STEMM. Especially because I have always worked in male-dominated fields, such as large animal production and bovine reproduction. As a foreigner without a support network, I had to learn how to balance work and childcare responsibilities with my husband. We worked together 24/7 for 15 years and shared parenting duties. However, I was the only one that faced questions and concerns about my ability to achieve my goals because I was assumed to probably not have the proper time.
Overcoming these challenges was possible due to the support of my family and friends. Also, because I actively started working to empower women facing similar situations and build my own networking. I'm part of a group in Colombia called "MujeresAgro," which aims to give visibility to all the areas women work in agriculture and the positive changes they make in their daily work and their communities. Additionally, I participated in webinars to raise awareness about gender discrimination in science and how the current challenges of being a parent in science in Latin America.
5. What was the best professional or personal advice you’ve ever received?
Never give up, keep trying and believe in yourself. Understand that nobody attempts success by himself. It is important to build a supportive network, both in and outside of work.
6. How did Mothers in Science (MiS) help you professionally and/or personally?
MiS gave me the chance to know and share the journeys of other colleagues and data about being a mother in science. This power of knowledge and visibility gave me some tools and great networking. I believe MiS would help me and others to improve the current status women have in STEMM, and also open the opportunities for the new generations to have better chances.
7. What advice would you give to a mother in STEMM?
Is not easy but both are satisfactory. Find a way to be flexible for maternity and for science. Most importantly, avoid guilt. That is our worst enemy, as it doesn't allow us to develop as we could, in any area.