February 11th was the International Day of Women and Girls in Science! To celebrate, we asked women at CHRIM some questions about how they became interested in science and how we can inspire the next generation of #WomenInSTEM.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing a series of blog posts featuring different women at CHRIM with careers in science. This week, read about Dr. Olubukola Olatosi.
Dr. Olubukola Olatosi is a PhD Student in Oral Biology and a Research Assistant in Dr. Bob Schroth’s Lab at CHRIM. Read below to hear her thoughts on a career in science, the importance of diversity, and how to empower more women and girls to pursue careers in science.
What made you choose a career in STEM?
I will say that STEM chose me in a way. Having come from a background in Africa where most of the careers were medicine, accounting, engineering, or law. I got into dentistry by faith because I didn’t even know what a dentist was. I had never visited a dentist until I got in an admission to study dentistry back in Nigeria. Since then, I’ve come to love dentistry. I specialize in pediatric dentistry, and I’ve done research in my field in early childhood oral health and inference in maternal oral health.
Why is diversity important in the field of science?
Diversity is very important, because in science, we bring different perspectives into problem-solving and innovation. For me, being a woman of colour and having a background from Africa, I was able to see this perspective through accessing dental care and knowing what the challenges may be. When we have different backgrounds, cultures, religions, races, and genders, it helps to bring a different lens to problem-solving.
How can we inspire and empower more young girls to pursue careers in science?
We need to create lots of awareness, for instance, I said I didn’t know about dentistry until I was in my adult life! We need to create awareness about science for younger girls, and also, we need to mentor them and let them know what is available and how this can be done through mentorship.
What advice would you give to young girls aspiring to enter the world of science?
Be focused. Raise your head up high, in whatever situation you find yourself. The sky is more than your limit. Once you dream it, you can do it.
What project or achievement are you particularly proud of in your scientific career?
So, in 2017, I collaborated with the University of Iowa on the genetic causes of early childhood caries among Sub-Saharan pre-school children. I’m very happy and proud of that research because it was the first of its kind, where we were able to replicate some Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) that were associated with the risk of early childhood caries in sub-Saharan African children. I’m so proud of that work.
Is there a woman in STEM who inspires you?
First, I want to say that every woman in science is doing a great job. Being a woman and being in science is not an easy thing, especially if you have family. I also want to talk about the work of Dr. Jane Goodall, who dedicated her life to the environment and studying chimpanzees. She came to Africa, and she spent her life there researching chimpanzees. She was very focused; despite all the adversities she went through, and she was resilient. So, she’s received a lot of awards, and she really inspires me to move on when I feel like I can’t go on.