AsianScientist (March 8, 2024) – In honor of International Women’s Day, Asian Scientist Magazine highlights the achievements of six remarkable women scientists across Asia who are making significant contributions to their respective fields. These women in STEM are not only driving important scientific advancements and societal progress but also serving as inspirations for aspiring young female scientists in the region.
Swati Nayak
Swati Nayak, a scientist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), plays a crucial role in engaging smallholder farmers in Asia and Africa in rice seed systems. She ensures equitable access and adoption of climate-resilient and nutritious rice varieties by involving farmers in testing and deployment. Nayak also leads the cereal seed system group as the South Asia Lead for Seed Systems at IRRI and is part of the SeedEqual initiative by CGIAR, a global research partnership focused on agricultural food systems.
With her grassroots experience, Nayak spearheaded the first-ever Indian government initiative for women farmers, empowering both women and men farmers to optimize yields, reduce environmental impact, and enhance economic resilience.
In 2023, Nayak received the Norman E. Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application. On this International Women’s Day, Nayak encourages young women scientists to embrace their unique voices and celebrate their diversity.
“I always believe that our diversity is a power, a force—it is a catalyst for innovation,” Nayak said. “Trust in your abilities, your keen observations, and your work ethics, and let your scientific endeavors contribute in making a positive impact in this world.”
Alifa Bintha Haque
Alifa Bintha Haque, a National Geographic Explorer and Edge of Existence fellow, is a passionate marine biologist dedicated to the conservation of sharks and rays in the Bay of Bengal.
As an assistant professor in the Department of Zoology at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Haque advocates for evidence-based marine conservation initiatives that engage fishers who depend on the ocean. By collaborating with coastal communities, Haque educates and encourages fishers to release endangered species and collect data on all landed sharks and rays.
Her team has gathered extensive regional data on diversity, fisheries, and trade, identifying globally significant populations of highly threatened species. In 2023, Haque was honored with the WINGS Women of Discovery Award for her contributions to marine conservation in Bangladesh.
As a female Bangladeshi marine biologist, Haque understands the gender-based challenges in STEM fields. She advises young women with a passion for science to persevere.
“Listen to your gut and find the power within you to make the most remarkable journey to be ‘YOU’,” she said. “I have not seen a single person in my little life who did the hard work honestly and did not achieve something beautiful.”
Delima Silalahi
Delima Silalahi’s environmental advocacy for Indigenous communities began as a volunteer for Kelompok Studi dan Pengembangan Prakarsa Masyarakat (KSPPM), an NGO committed to protecting traditional forests in North Sumatra.
Currently serving as the executive director of KSPPM, Silalahi and her team have secured legal stewardship of 17,824 acres of tropical forest land for six Indigenous communities, reclaimed from a pulp and paper company—an influential industry in the region. These communities have started restoring the forests, creating vital carbon sinks of biodiverse Indonesian tropical forest.
In 2023, Silalahi received the Goldman Environmental Prize, known as the “Green Nobel”. She advocates for progress in science and technology to help reconcile our relationship with nature.
“Be a young woman scientist who supports the sustainability of planet earth, actively participates in ensuring climate justice, and pursue research development—especially knowledge which preserves the reconnection of spirituality between human and nature,” she urged.
Carmencita M. David-Padilla
Renowned for establishing the country’s first Medical Genetics Unit at the University of the Philippines Manila’s College of Medicine, Carmencita M. David-Padilla has been a key figure in advancing health and research in the country. The unit evolved into the Institute of Human Genetics, a vital entity within the National Institutes of Health—UP Manila.
Padilla’s dedication led to the crafting and lobbying for the Rare Disease Act and the Newborn Screening Act, implementing a comprehensive newborn screening program in the Philippines.
Currently serving as the Chancellor of UP Manila since 2014 and a Professor at the Department of Pediatrics at UP Manila College of Medicine, Padilla was honored with the Order of National Scientists by President Bongbong Marcos for her significant contributions to medicine.
“Around 60% of the world’s population is here in Asia, where age-old and emerging problems beset all levels of our societies,” Padilla said. “Therefore, I urge you, our young Asian women scientists, to sharpen your skills and apply your hearts toward uplifting the lives of our people!”
Madhavi Srinivasan
Advocating for a zero-waste circular economy that maximizes resource utilization, Madhavi Srinivasan focuses on sustainable recycling of electronic waste and advanced energy storage solutions.
Currently a professor at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, and the Executive Director of NTU Sustainability Office and Energy Research Institute, Srinivasan pioneers a “waste-for-waste” approach using orange peel waste to recover precious metals from lithium-ion battery waste, enabling the production of functional batteries.
Among her accolades, Srinivasan received an honorable mention in the 2023 Underwriters Laboratories-ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women for her work on improving battery performance in electric vehicles. She encourages aspiring women scientists to persist despite obstacles.
“Believe in yourself, your path, your vision and don’t give up. Keep giving your best every day in everything and develop resilience to turn setbacks into stepping stones,” she said.
Hiroko Miyahara
As a professor at Musashino Art University in Japan, Hiroko Miyahara explores changes in the space environment by studying tree rings to understand long-term fluctuations in cosmic radiation and solar activity.
Analyzing tree rings from old Japanese cedar tree stumps, Miyahara and her colleagues have revealed insights into solar cycles and their impact on the Earth’s climate. Her research was recognized with the 43rd Saruhashi Prize in 2023.
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Copyright: Asian Scientist Magazine; Cover image: Yipei Lieu/ Asian Scientist Magazine
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