More women in research: GIRLS’ DAY at IMBA

“We want to inspire more girls for STEM subjects – not out of a socio-political missionary, but because we know that in this area people are sought, that there is little unemployment, good wages are paid and the opportunities for advancement are magnificent,” said Heinz Fassmann, “Politics can influence the choice of study in which we pass on information, encourage others, break up role models and bring role models – such as the IMBA researchers – in front of the curtain.”

In addition to the insights into the lives of these successful and internationally recognized researchers, the girls were also able to lend a hand themselves on Girls’ Day: The Vienna Open Lab and IMBA organized hands-on stations where the students extract their own DNA and could look at so-called organoids, mini-organ models from human stem cells.

Jürgen Knoblich, scientific director of IMBA, was pleased that many interested students followed the invitation to IMBA. “Fields such as systems biology or stem cell research form the important basis for modern medicine and are developing very rapidly thanks to the new technologies. In turn, this tremendous dynamic creates new fields of activity and creative approaches. In my view, a career in research is a promising job for the future. “