'No one quite like her': meet the female colleagues who inspire these award-winning women in science

"To celebrate International Women's Day, held each year on 8 March, Nature asked six previous winners of awards given in partnership with Nature to name a woman who has had a positive impact on their career and well-being. This year, Nature has focused on winners of the Estée Lauder Companies' annual Inspiring Women in Science award, the inaugural Sony Women in Technology award - given to women who are using technology to drive positive change for society and the planet - and the annual John Maddox Prize."

"The six winners describe how the individuals that they nominate have not only advanced cutting-edge science but also improved the lives of those around them. These women, who span locations around the globe and several scientific disciplines, attest to how kindness, generosity and perseverance remain crucial to best practice in science."

"I had the privilege of sharing an office with Anita during her sabbatical at the University of Adelaide in 2019, the same year I gave birth to my first child. I have been fortunate to be mentored by many outstanding women, but meeting Anita at this crucial stage of my career had a profound impact. Her guidance helped me to navigate the challenging early years of academic motherhood."

Modern scientific research has evolved from solitary work to collaborative endeavors where recognizing colleagues' contributions is essential. Nature celebrates International Women's Day by highlighting six award winners who nominate women who positively impacted their careers and well-being. The featured awards include the Estée Lauder Companies' Inspiring Women in Science award, the inaugural Sony Women in Technology award for women driving positive societal change, and the John Maddox Prize for individuals defending sound science. These nominees span global locations and scientific disciplines, demonstrating how kindness, generosity, and perseverance remain fundamental to scientific excellence. One example features biomedical engineer Anita Mahadevan-Jansen at Vanderbilt University, nominated by Jiawen Li from the University of Adelaide, who credits Mahadevan-Jansen's mentorship during early academic motherhood as profoundly impactful.

Read at Nature