IBioIC to celebrate International Women’s Day with the launch of new Women in Synthetic Biology network
A new group to support gender diversity and support women working in the field of synthetic biology will launch on International Women’s Day 2022.
Set up by Liz Fletcher, IBioIC’s director of business engagement and operations, alongside Sarah Holland, senior associate at Potter Clarkson, and Fiona Mischel, director of international outreach at Built with Biology (formerly SynBioBeta), the network is inviting women and underrepresented genders to join them for a range of networking, coaching and training opportunities.
A virtual welcome party will take place on Tuesday 8th March from 4-5pm for anyone wishing to join the group and find out more about its future plans. All genders are welcome, with the first event celebrating the achievements of women and underrepresented genders in the bioeconomy.
Liz Fletcher said: “Scotland’s bioeconomy is accelerating at pace but women are still in the minority in the synthetic biology field – particularly at leadership and board level. We hope to build a community that enables women to connect with one another and support career development. There are fantastic opportunities for women in synbio to translate their research into business ideas and make an impact on the world, and we want to help them with that journey.”
The network is believed to be the first of its kind globally, and will focus on both the challenges and opportunities women working in the bioeconomy currently face.
Sarah Holland said: “The network will provide a safe and non-intimidating space where women and others can reach out for help with all aspects of their career in biotechnology – whether it is founding their own company, working in academia or anything else. The possibilities of what synbio can do are endless – often limited only by our imaginations.”
Fiona Mischel added: “We are creating a space where women and underrepresented genders can support one another – it's easy to feel alone in the struggles of navigating academia or founding a company, but when we're connected with like-minded individuals who can share their own experiences, we can grow and develop together.”
Meet the founders: Women in Synthetic Biology network
Liz Fletcher
We spoke to Liz Fletcher, one of the co-founders of the Women in Synthetic Biology network to find out more ahead of its launch on International Women’s Day (8th March).
The group is designed to create a welcoming, encouraging space for like-minded individuals to support one another and celebrate their achievements in business and academia.
So Liz, why did you create the network?
We noticed that despite the fact that there are so many women and other under-represented genders doing great synthetic biology research, they are not starting businesses and they are not in board rooms – but we need them to be there.
What do you want WiSB to achieve?
We want to encourage and support women in synthetic biology to translate their research into business plans and make an impact on the world, whether through entrepreneurship or in collaboration with the industry.
Why should people join WiSB?
To be supported, inspired, engaged, and informed about synthetic biology.
Why do you love synbio (synthetic biology)?
It’s cool, creative, versatile, and green – what other tech can help create things like cow-free milk, self-healing materials, soil-improving bacteria, planet-friendly bioplastics and cures for diseases that kill.
The International Women's Day (IWD) 2022 campaign theme is 'Break the Bias'. What bias are you looking to break this year?
To break the bias around stereotypes for innovators and business leaders in technology.
Biography
Liz joined IBioiC in March 2021 as director of business engagement and operations, managing the day-to-day operational aspects of IBioIC. She helps shape the innovation centre’s strategy, supporting the delivery of its key aims of building new opportunities and accelerating commercialisation.
Liz has had a varied career across the life sciences and biotechnology sectors from research roles in academia (Sydney, Toronto and Cambridge, UK) and the biotech industry. She then spent six years as a science and business writer and editor (FT and Nature Biotechnology) before venturing into technology transfer (University of Southampton). She moved to Scotland to work for ITI Lifesciences as a technology and market analyst, transferring to Scottish Enterprise as an analyst in the life sciences team. Prior to joining IBioIC, Liz was manager of the UK Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology and senior research development manager at the University of Edinburgh.
Sara Holland
Sara Holland is one of the co-founders of the Women in Synthetic Biology network and here she tells us a bit more about the plans for the group and its origins.
To find out more, join us for a virtual launch party on International Women’s Day (8th March) from 4-5pm. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-synthetic-biology-welcome-party-tickets-256026912387
Hi Sara, why did you create the network?
We recognised that there is an under-representation of female founders and leaders in synthetic biology and biotechnology, and wanted to do something to try and change that.
What do you want WiSB to achieve?
Our goal is to provide a safe and non-intimidating space where women and underrepresented genders can reach out for help with all aspects of their career in biotechnology – whether it is founding their own company, working in academia or anything else.
Why should people join WiSB?
To meet like-minded people, share war-stories, empower each other and make valuable connections.
Why do you love synbio (synthetic biology)?
It can be so fun, interesting, and unusual! The possibilities of what synbio can do are pretty much endless – often limited only by our imaginations!
The International Women's Day (IWD) 2022 campaign theme is 'Break the Bias'. What bias are you looking to break this year?
In many situations, the default position is that women will pick up the less desirable, yet essential roles that help to make a workplace run smoothly. Some companies don’t place much value on these tasks, such as mentoring, organising social events, and often making things generally better for everyone. Women usually end up in these positions because either they are the only ones that notice something needs doing, and/or no one else will do them. But it is important to break those stereotypes and create a more balanced working environment for all.
Biography
Sara studied biochemistry and genetics before completing a PhD at the University of Nottingham, engineering an artificial yeast chromosome and developing tools for genome engineering. She then worked as a postdoctoral researcher investigating mechanisms of metal toxicity, and phenotypic heterogeneity in yeast. She left academia eight years ago to train to become a patent attorney. She is now a UK and European patent attorney working on biotechnological and life sciences inventions, with a particular focus on inventions arising from synthetic biology.
Fiona Mischal
For the last of our meet the founders series, we hear from Fiona Mischel of Built with Biology to learn more about the Women in Synthetic Biology network.
Join us for the official launch on International Women’s Day (8th March) to learn more about the group’s vision for supporting women in the sector to succeed and achieve greater representation. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-synthetic-biology-welcome-party-tickets-256026912387
Hi Fiona, tell us why you created the network?
We wanted to create a space for women and underrepresented genders in synthetic biology across the UK, and beyond, to meet each other, share challenges and solutions, and create a supportive community.
What do you want WiSB to achieve?
I want to empower women by supporting women. It's easy to feel alone in the struggles of navigating academia or founding a company. But when we're connected with like-minded individuals who can share their own experiences, we can grow and develop together.
Why should people join WiSB?
For the support, resources, tools, advice, inspiration and to become part of a powerful network of women and underrepresented genders changing the world. Allies are very welcome - our future is built on inclusivity, not exclusivity!
Why do you love synbio (synthetic biology)?
Synbio gives us the tools and creativity to transform our world for the better - building with biology inspires me and gives me hope.
The International Women's Day (IWD) 2022 campaign theme is 'Break the Bias'. What bias are you looking to break this year?
I want to disrupt the status quo that female founders and executives are the exception, not the norm. Women bring unique and highly valuable skills to leadership roles and I want the rest of the world to embrace that.
Biography
Fiona began her career as a science communicator in the United States before becoming editor-in-chief of Built with Biology (formerly SynBioBeta). Now in London, she serves as Built with Biology's director of international outreach where she builds strategic partnerships, community, and awareness for the bioeconomy, and expands the global synbio network.