Chapter 1: The Stereotype of a Scientist

Let me pose a question to you. Think of the first image that comes to mind when I ask: How do you envision a scientist? You don’t have to share your thoughts, but be honest. My immediate thought was of a middle-aged man clad in a white lab coat—a stereotype that’s somewhat embarrassing, especially considering my background in academia. Why didn't I picture a woman in this role, despite being a female scientist myself?

This inquiry relates to a project initiated by David Wade Chambers during the 1980s, which was first formally recognized in his 1983 publication. It's known as the Draw-a-Scientist Test (DAST), where children and adolescents are asked to illustrate a scientist.

A study published in 2018 analyzed DAST data spanning from 1965 to 2015. The findings revealed that in the 1980s and 1990s, nearly all participants, irrespective of age or gender, depicted a male scientist. By 2015, this figure dropped to 60%. Distinguishing between genders shows that about 80% of boys drew a male scientist, while only 30% of girls did. This suggests a positive trend where more girls now feel represented in STEM fields.

An intriguing observation is that the likelihood of drawing a male scientist appears to increase with age; teenagers, both male and female, are more inclined to depict a male scientist compared to younger children. This could suggest that cultural influences and unconscious biases may intensify with age.

Statistics indicate that women remain underrepresented in STEM fields, particularly in technology and mathematics. To address this issue, the United Nations General Assembly designated February 11th as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2015.

In honor of this day, let’s highlight three pioneering women scientists you might not be familiar with.

Chapter 2: The Pioneer Graduate

Nestled within the historical grounds of the University of Padua—the fifth oldest university in existence—stands a statue commemorating Elena Lucrezia Piscopia Cornaro, the first woman to graduate from a university in 1678.

Elena was a remarkable prodigy, mastering four languages by the age of seven. While her initial intention was to study theology, she was redirected to philosophy due to opposition from the Bishop of Padua, Cardinal Gregorio Barbarigo.

Though some may argue that she wasn't a scientist, it is vital to understand that during her time, theology, philosophy, and science were deeply interconnected. Her interests spanned mathematics, physics, and astronomy as well.

Padua is also home to a large square adorned with 78 statues of historical figures, all of whom are men. Recently, there have been discussions about relocating Elena Cornaro’s statue from the university to this prominent square, highlighting her rightful place in history.

Chapter 3: The Unseen Contributor

In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick published a groundbreaking paper titled "Molecular Structure of Nucleic Acids: A Structure for Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid," which later earned them the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1962.

At the end of their paper, the authors acknowledged the contributions of Dr. M. H. F. Wilkins and Dr. R. E. Franklin from King's College, London. While Wilkins received a Nobel Prize alongside Watson and Crick, Franklin's contributions were largely overlooked.

Rosalind Elsie Franklin, a British chemist, completed her studies at Newnham College in Cambridge before undertaking research at King's College. There, she studied the structures of proteins and lipids through X-ray diffraction, which eventually led her to DNA research.

Franklin, along with graduate student Raymond Gosling, captured Photo 51, the first X-ray diffraction image of DNA. This pivotal photo was later shared with Watson, leading to the discovery of DNA's double helix structure. Tragically, Franklin did not receive a Nobel Prize due to the committee's policies against posthumous awards and their preference for awarding lead researchers.

In recent years, Franklin's significant role has gained recognition, and her contributions to the discovery of DNA's structure are finally being acknowledged.

Chapter 4: The Artist of Science

Rita Levi Montalcini, an Italian neurobiologist, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology in 1986 for her co-discovery of the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).

Born in 1909 into a conservative family, Montalcini faced opposition from her father regarding her desire to study medicine. After graduating in 1936, she shifted her focus to neurobiology and psychology.

When the Fascist government enacted racial laws in 1938, Montalcini was expelled from the university. Undeterred, she set up a laboratory in her bedroom to continue her research. Reflecting on her experiences, she humorously noted, "I should thank Mussolini for declaring me of an inferior race, which led me to the joy of working, albeit in a bedroom rather than a university lab."

After avoiding deportation during the German invasion, Montalcini was invited to join Washington University in St. Louis, where she worked for three decades. She often found herself as the only woman in her field and recounted an amusing encounter at a conference where she was mistaken for someone’s spouse.

In 2001, Montalcini returned to Italy and was honored with the title of Senator for Life of the Italian Republic. She passed away in 2012, leaving behind a legacy of scientific achievement spanning over a century.

As I reflect on this narrative, I realize my perspective on the DAST would differ if the prompt were about envisioning a student in science. Having earned a Ph.D. in biology and bioinformatics in 2022, I’ve encountered many graduate students, and I've observed a more balanced gender representation at this level. Yet, I still instinctively associate leadership roles in research with men. Why is that?

While social, cultural, and political barriers remain, such as the need for equitable parental leave, I believe progress is underway. Today's graduate students will evolve into the next generation of researchers and lab directors, hopefully rendering the DAST project obsolete. The true celebration will be when women's roles in science become so normalized that we no longer need to commemorate them specifically.

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