Bayer partners with Shadow Minister for Science to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders

In a celebration of National Science Week, Bayer joined forces with The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Shadow Minister for Science and the Arts, and the local member for Bradfield, to host a unique event at Hornsby Girls High School in Sydney.

The event highlighted how innovative ideas are reshaping our world and honoured the significant contributions of women in science, featuring the stories of three remarkable women from Bayer – Tiziana Zingali, Alexandra Bunton, and Lakshmi Bettadapura. Their journeys are a powerful testament to the impact of curiosity and the reach of science beyond the confines of the laboratory.

The forum came on the heels of the government’s launch of the new National Science Statement and National Science and Research Priorities. However, the Australian Academy of Science has expressed concerns, warning that without a concrete plan and substantial investment, these initiatives will amount to little more than empty promises.

Reflecting on these developments, Minister Fletcher remarked, “It is a good thing to have a set of national science priorities. However, as there’s a finite amount of public money available for science, it’s also very important to have a fair and transparent process in the way that funding for science is allocated.

“I’ve been critical of the way this government has chosen to allocate money, particularly almost a billion dollars of public money going to an American company PsiQuantum, in a process which has not been open or transparent. It’s important that the rules of the game are clear and fair to everybody.”

The event also shined a spotlight on the ongoing gender disparity in STEM fields, where only 15% of STEM-qualified careers are held by women – only an improvement from 10% two decades ago. This disparity raises questions about the underlying factors contributing to the underrepresentation of women in science.

Minister Fletcher addressed this issue, saying “Particularly for scientists in early stage careers, it’s the challenge of taking time out to have children. That can be a particular challenge in science given the grant-funded nature of the work in the academic context.

“Today’s panel was really about seeking to demonstrate to students that there’s a whole range of career paths that are open to you if you study science.”

Tiziana Zingali, Medical Operations Study Manager at Bayer, shared a personal anecdote that fueled her passion for science.

“I come from Sicily, and when I was young, my mum like many Italian mums, had a big issue with wet hair. She always used to tell me, ‘If you don’t dry your hair, you will catch a cold’.

“When I was at school, my teacher told me there are bacteria and viruses that make you sick. So I became passionate about understanding how things worked, and especially understanding why things that I couldn’t see would make me sick, like bacteria or viruses.”

Zingali also emphasised the importance of being a role model for future STEM leaders, particularly for young girls who may feel discouraged from pursuing science.

“What inspires me is the fact that some girls still believe that particular subjects of study and some jobs is not for them. I really hope I gave them the message that despite what people around you may say, if you like science, you pursue it.”

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