Ba người phụ nữ truyền cảm hứng trong lĩnh vực STEM tại NUS

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed globally on 11 February every year, aiming to promote full and equal access and participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields for women and girls. This year, the initiative embraces the theme “Unpacking STEM careers: Her Voice in Science”, emphasising the importance of amplifying the experiences, insights, and contributions of women in STEM.

Meet three inspiring women in STEM at NUS – (from left) Prof Antonia Monteiro, Assoc Prof Angela Yao, and Asst Prof Tan Yu Jun – who are redefining the boundaries of STEM research, shaping our world and opening doors for future innovators and scientists through their mentorship.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we highlight the inspiring journeys of three women in STEM from NUS: evolutionary biologist Professor Antonia Monteiro, AI scientist Associate Professor Angela Yao, and mechanical engineer Assistant Professor Tan Yu Jun, to showcase their passion for research in STEM and tenacity in breaking barriers, reimagining possibilities, and paving the way for the next generation of girls and women to pursue rewarding STEM careers.

Professor Antonia Monteiro, an evolutionary biologist from the Department of Biological Sciences at the NUS Faculty of Science is intrigued by butterflies and their remarkable evolution. Together with her team, they uncover the lives of butterflies, studying the genetic links to their wing colours, their behaviour, and the behaviours of their offspring.

“Early in my career, I focused exclusively on investigating the genetic and developmental mechanisms behind the wing patterns of butterflies. But after hosting a few students that pushed to work on behavioural projects, I got hooked in studying this facet of butterflies’ lives. Studying the genetics of behaviour is equally, if not more, fascinating than studying static wing patterns. It is as if we are studying genes responsible for producing a ‘movie’ rather than a still ‘picture’,” explained Prof Monteiro.

Prof Monteiro’s STEM journey began in high school, where she met an engaging biology teacher who ignited her interest in the many wonders of biology. This experience inspired her to study biology in college where she delved into evolutionary biology.

See more: https://news.nus.edu.sg/inspiring-women-in-stem-innovators-scientists-and-role-models-shaping-the-future/