Women in science have always been there, breaking boundaries and pushing the frontiers of knowledge. They have been rewriting the rules of innovation, yet their names rarely make the headlines. From pioneering space missions to groundbreaking medical research, their contributions are often overshadowed or dismissed. The struggle is relentless—from Rosalind Franklin’s crucial role in discovering DNA’s structure being sidelined to modern-day battles for funding and leadership. Despite their pivotal roles in recent scientific breakthroughs, women scientists continue to fight for visibility, recognition, and equitable opportunities.
In an exclusive interaction with All Things Talent, women scientists from Merck Life Science share their journeys of breaking barriers, challenging biases, and carving their rightful place in science.
The Fight for Acknowledgement
"We face this problem throughout our careers,” acknowledges Dr Khushboo Kumari, R&D Scientist at Merck Life Science, pointing to the persistent struggle for acknowledgment. But the fight continues—through actively highlighting women's contributions, demanding rightful credit, and building supportive networks where they can truly thrive.
Dr Kumari believes that the public perception of a 'scientist' still predominantly leans toward a male figure, highlighting the need for a systemic change starting at the grassroots level. “We must inspire our girls to recognise their full potential and pursue their ambitions fearlessly. At the same time, we need to instill values of equality, respect, and shared responsibility in boys from an early age, ensuring they grow up as allies in building a more inclusive and fair society,” she emphasises. Changing mindsets and fostering allyship are essential steps toward reshaping the outdated image of a scientist and creating a genuinely inclusive scientific community.
As a protein biochemist at Merck Life Science, a day in Dr Kumari’s life is a rhythmic cycle of curiosity, precision, and discovery—an interplay between molecules and the mind. “Beginning with the setup in the morning, followed by hands-on work, reflection, and projection, the work is never truly finished; it is only paused. As most things in this world have some form of structure, so do biomolecules (proteins, peptides, chemicals). I solve the chemical structure of those molecules at the atomic level through a powerful analytical technique called NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance),” she explains.
Facing Doubts That Others Don’t
Meghana Kamath, Associate Scientist at Merck Life Science, admits that as a woman in science, her expertise has often been questioned more than her male peers—sometimes subtly, other times more directly. In such moments, she learned to stay confident, back her arguments with data, and let her work speak for itself. Over time, her dedication paid off as people began to recognise her work and trust her expertise. Building a strong support network of mentors and peers further reinforced her confidence. “Persistence and excellence,” she says, “are the best ways to challenge stereotypes.”
Devleena Bandopadhyay, a Scientist at Merck Life Science, acknowledges that working in this field presents numerous challenges. “Being an unmarried woman comes with different challenges,” she says.
She recalls a particularly frustrating experience during a job interview where the focus was entirely on her marital status rather than her skills or qualifications. “They asked if I would still do the job if I got married within the first year and had to move to a different location because of my husband’s work. They insisted that I couldn’t possibly manage a long-distance marriage,” Bandopadhyay explains.
Despite their probing, she made her stance clear. “I told them it would be a decision between me and my future husband and that it shouldn’t be a topic of discussion in this interview. What matters is my experience and my commitment, whether in my personal or professional life,” she emphasises.
Unsurprisingly, she didn’t get the job, but she has no regrets. “I’m in a much better place now,” she says confidently. “I don’t think male peers are asked the same line of questions.”
Bandopadhyay’s work involves collaborating and creating various programs for training and skill development in the field of life sciences and biotechnology. “My lab conducts a variety of hands-on workshops, certificate courses, and training programs, and we are open to industry-academia collaboration. I have trained not only undergraduate students but also postgraduates, PhD scholars, and working professionals in the early stages of their careers. Through my work, I aim to bridge the gap between industry and academia and create a skilled workforce for my country. Apart from training, I provide technical support and scientific assistance to researchers from industry and academia in their day-to-day experiments.”
Challenging Stereotypes
Kamath finds one of the most frustrating stereotypes about women in science to be the belief that women are inherently more emotional, supposedly making them less rational. “There’s also this prevailing idea that women can’t balance a demanding scientific career with their personal life,” she notes.
To challenge these stereotypes, Kamath focuses on excelling in her work and making her contributions visible. “I continue to be unapologetically good at what I do, take on leadership opportunities, and present my ideas with confidence. Resilience and excellence in work speak louder than any bias,” she asserts.
She firmly believes that the coming years will witness more young women thriving in science, gradually dismantling outdated beliefs and allowing these stereotypes to fade away.
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Striving for Work-Life Balance
Kamath emphasises that achieving work-life balance as a scientist starts with setting clear boundaries and prioritising tasks. She ensures that her work hours are well-defined and tries to stick to them as much as possible. By planning her tasks efficiently and focusing on high-priority work first, she minimises unnecessary stress. Short breaks play a vital role in helping her reset her mind during busy periods. To recharge and maintain her well-being, Meghana turns to her hobbies, like photography and travel, which provide much-needed respite from the demands of her profession.
For Bandopadhyay, effective task management and prioritisation are essential to maintaining balance during busy periods. Staying organised helps her avoid feeling overstimulated and remain calm even when deadlines are looming. Short breaks throughout the day enhance her productivity, but it’s the unwavering support of close friends and family that truly keeps her grounded. “A little bit of encouragement from them goes a long way,” she shares. Additionally, her passion for Bharatnatyam dance serves as a powerful stress reliever. “I try to have a mix of all these or at least some during busy periods, and they help me a lot,” she adds, highlighting the importance of nurturing personal interests alongside professional commitments.
Mamta Sharma is a freelance journalist committed to sharing stories on talent management, DEIB, workplace culture alongside narratives on leadership, entrepreneurship, tech innovation and employee wellbeing.
