Probably you have seen the Google Doodle last week, when the spotlight was this powerful woman Dr Kamal Ranadive. Although I'm biased by both being a biologist and a woman, her story is truly inspirational for everyone.   Scientific Contribution After receiving her BSc in Zoology and Botany and her MSc in Cytogenetics, Dr Ranadive started working in a hospital. Simultaneously, she was doing her PhD at the Indian Cancer Research Centre. She received a fellowship to work on tissue culture at John Hopkins University. Once she completed it, Dr Ranadive returned to India and founded the first tissue culture laboratory.  Kamal's research found additional links between breast cancer, heredity and viruses. Moreover, her studies on the bacteria causing the leprosy disease have enhanced the development of a vaccine. Social Influence Kamal chose to return to her home country and work towards improving the quality of health and education. She trained women from rural communities as healthcare workers and encourage students from abroad to return back home. Together with her colleagues Dr Ranadive established the Indian Women Scientists' Association.  IWSA supports the engagement of women with science by providing scholarships and childcare help. Have you been inspired/impressed by other powerful women? We are more than curious to learn their story, please feel free to share it!  Sources:Google Doodles - https://www.google.com/doodles/dr-kamal-ranadives-104th-birthdayWikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamal_Ranadive

Hi all! On July 31st there was a meeting, where we discussed the Laidlw Requirements and how the Laidlaw Network can support scholars complete them. For those of you who have missed the call, here I am sharing some summary notes: Idea Design a webinar/blog posts/feedback platform to help students complete the requirements of the Laidlaw Scholarship. Aim of the meeting Find out what resources would be actually useful for scholars. Introduction The requirements of Laidlaw vary across universities but in the most common situation the scholars are required to submit a reflective report/essay as well as give an oral presentation and/or a poster. The deadline for the requirements is also different, e.g. September after the first summer or at the end of the second summer. Your Voice The following questions (can find them in the form) were also discussed at the meeting:     1. What type of support works best for you? - Articles and posts in the Laidlaw Network might be better than live sessions, because it is hard to choose a time which suits everyone; suggestion to raise questions about the requirements in the WhatsApp chat (more relaxed environment); peer feedback also might be very useful.    2. Most Preferred Content.    3. Writing – hardest part:    Make concise and present the data  (for STEM research especially hard, because need to explain a lot of things as well as fit graphs and other results on the poster); adapt to general audience - very hard, have to work on this; how to make it interesting?    4. Stake holders. ... It would be lovely if you find time to fill the form (takes 2-3 minutes)! And, please, feel free to reach me with any questions.  Thank you!