Modern scientists: 13 women who’ve changed our world
Divya Choudary
There’s a thrill in witnessing a new discovery come to life – an undeniable rush that crosses boundaries of age, nationality, and experience. Science brims with such breakthroughs. Yet, for a long time, women’s efforts often flew under the radar. Fortunately, the tide has shifted. In recent years, brilliant women have been recognized for their game-changing contributions in fields ranging from deep space exploration to public health, advanced computing and sustainable agriculture.
In what follows, we spotlight 13 remarkable scientists – some you may already know, others you may be meeting for the first time. Each has contributed to advancing science in unique ways, overcoming challenges, and exploring new frontiers. Together, they represent a diversity of disciplines, nations, and perspectives, showing that innovation can thrive in any corner of the world.
Defying astrophysical boundaries: Dr. Katie Bouman
When the very first image of a black hole mesmerized the world in April 2019, Katie Bouman’s name shot into the spotlight. An American computer scientist and electrical engineer, Dr. Bouman led the development of key algorithms that pieced together data from telescopes all over the globe as part of the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration. The result was an unprecedented visual of a supermassive black hole in the M87 galaxy – an image many once considered impossible to obtain.
Dr. Bouman’s work illuminates how innovative science benefits from fresh perspectives and often demands multidisciplinary teamwork: astrophysicists, computer scientists, and engineers joined forces to achieve something extraordinary. Today, she continues her research at Caltech on computational imaging, pushing the boundaries of how we gather and interpret complex data about the cosmos.
Steering space exploration: Dr. Ritu Karidhal and Muthayya Vanitha
Nicknamed the “Rocket Woman of India,” Dr. Ritu Karidhal is a senior scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Known for her earlier work on the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), she took on the role of Mission Director for Chandrayaan-2, launched in July 2019. Dr. Karidhal guided a team tasked with navigating engineering challenges under tight budgets – elevating India’s status in global space exploration.
Alongside Dr. Karidhal, Muthayya Vanitha served as Project Director for Chandrayaan-2 – becoming the first woman to lead an interplanetary mission at ISRO. Although the mission’s lander faced a setback during its landing attempt, the orbiter continues to send valuable data on the Moon’s geography and mineral composition.
Both scientists broke barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field, redefining the narrative for future generations of women engineers and researchers. Their shared leadership underscores how collaboration, mentorship, and mutual respect can drive not only a mission’s success, but also a shift in workplace dynamics.
Transforming public health: Dr. Gagandeep Kang
In 2019, Dr. Gagandeep Kang became the first Indian woman to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Society – an honour marking her groundbreaking work in microbiology. Her primary focus has been the rotavirus vaccine, which has drastically reduced child mortality in developing nations. Through her leadership at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute in India, Dr. Kang champions indigenous research and a collaborative approach to global health.
Her impact goes beyond her lab: she mentors young researchers, fosters partnerships between private and public institutions, and emphasizes solutions rooted in local contexts. Dr. Kang’s journey is proof that substantial change can arise when research is tailored to real-world needs, particularly in low-resource settings.
Pioneer of mRNA vaccines: Dr. Katalin Karikó
Dr. Katalin Karikó’s decades-long dedication to mRNA technology remained largely without recognition – until the COVID-19 crisis demanded a rapid vaccine solution. Her groundbreaking work, conducted with Drew Weissman, laid the scientific foundation for some of the world’s first authorized COVID-19 vaccines. This earned them the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Despite facing repeated rejections for funding and academic positions, Dr. Karikó persisted, demonstrating how transformative science often relies on steadfast belief in a hypothesis – even when met with skepticism. By stabilizing mRNA molecules, she enabled them to deliver genetic instructions to human cells, a method now central to modern vaccines.
Dr. Karikó’s contributions not only revolutionized vaccine development during the pandemic but also set the stage for future breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy, HIV treatment, and other complex diseases. Her story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the world-changing potential of science.
Driving COVID-19 vaccine research: Dr. Pragya D. Yadav
During the global scramble to contain COVID-19, Dr. Pragya D. Yadav emerged as a pivotal figure in India’s vaccine development efforts. Stationed at the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology, she led critical phases in designing and testing Covaxin – the nation’s first indigenously produced coronavirus vaccine.
Despite the pressure of urgent timelines, Dr. Yadav and her team balanced speed with meticulous validation of the vaccine’s safety and efficacy. Their dedication helped deliver a viable immunization option not just to Indian citizens, but also to countries with limited access to vaccines. Her work underscores how local breakthroughs can have global impact, particularly when they address shared challenges such as a pandemic.
Editing the code of life: Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier and Dr. Jennifer Doudna
In 2020, Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier (France) and Dr. Jennifer Doudna (USA) were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for pioneering the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool. Their research and collaboration – bridging continents and scientific disciplines – transformed how we approach genetic diseases. Their work revolutionized our approach to treating genetic diseases from sickle cell anemia to inherited blindness.
Both scientists emphasize ethical considerations alongside discovery: CRISPR’s power to “cut and paste” DNA compels the global community to consider how and when it should be used. Dr. Charpentier now leads the Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens in Berlin, while Dr. Doudna helms the Innovative Genomics Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. Their story reminds us that when minds meet across borders, transformative science can unfold – along with a responsibility to ensure it’s used wisely.
Transforming data into insight: Dr. Kerrie Mengersen
Statistics might not capture headlines as often as rocket launches or gene editing, but Dr. Kerrie Mengersen from Australia shows us why it should. ABayesian statistician at Queensland University of Technology, Dr. Mengersen develops intricate models to interpret large datasets – whether mapping endangered ecosystems or assessing public health risks – providing critical insights that guide decision-making and public policy strategies.
Since 2019, Dr. Mengersen has been at the forefront of projects that merge statistical rigor with real-world applications, showcasing the transformative power of data-driven insights. Her work spans diverse fields from protecting jaguar populations in the Amazon to developing Australia’s first interactive cancer map, which aids in visualizing and addressing regional disparities in cancer care.
Awarded the Ruby Payne-Scott Medal in 2024, Dr. Mengersen’s career illustrates how meticulously analyzed data can guide targeted interventions in ecology, healthcare, and environmental management. Her achievements underscore the potential of mathematics not just to clarify complex phenomena but to tell inspiring stories – provided we ask the right questions and interpret the results responsibly.
Innovations for accessibility: Hadeel Ayoub
Hadeel Ayoub’s “BrightSign” glove translates sign language into spoken words in real time, bridging communication gaps for people with speech and hearing impairments. Since 2019, Ayoub, a Saudi-based researcher and innovator, has refined this wearable device, integrating software engineering, linguistics, and user-experience design.
Ayoub’s invention also aims to reduce the social distance that technology sometimes fosters. By offering a practical, user-friendly solution, Ayoub embodies the principle that empathy can fuel innovation. Her story is a testament to how modest yet impactful ideas can change lives, especially when developed in conversation with the communities they aim to serve.
Pioneering ethical AI and computer vision: Dr. Fei-Fei Li
Artificial intelligence can sometimes feel impersonal or mysterious, but Dr. Fei-Fei Li aims to keep the human spirit firmly at AI’s core. A Stanford professor and co-director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Li has championed the notion that AI should benefit society as a whole. Known for her crucial work in computer vision – training machines to interpret images – Li has broadened her focus to the social consequences of AI.
Since 2019, she has advocated for research that balances rapid technological advancement with principles of fairness, accountability, and human wellbeing. By actively pushing for diversity in tech, she urges industries to address biases that can permeate AI systems. Dr. Li’s comprehensive approach ensures that innovation in AI goes hand in hand with ethical responsibility.
Reinventing agricultural science: Dr. Segenet Kelemu
Growing up in rural Ethiopia, Dr. Segenet Kelemu saw firsthand how vulnerable small-scale farmers are to plant diseases and pests. Determined to find sustainable solutions, she studied molecular plant pathology in the US and returned to Kenya where she now directs the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe).
Since 2019, Dr. Kelemu has advanced research on using insects’ symbiotic bacteria to bolster crop resilience, thereby reducing the need for harsh pesticides. By merging community-based approaches with cutting-edge research, Dr. Kelemu has transformed local farming methods. Her focus on community-based science has helped local farmers increase yields and protect the environment. Dr. Kelemu’s leadership underlines how breakthroughs in agriculture can be both high-tech and locally attuned – making a direct, positive impact on food security.
Bringing chemistry to life: Dr. Frances Arnold
Dr. Frances Arnold made history in 2018 as the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, recognized for her groundbreaking work on “directed evolution.” This innovative method that mimics natural selection in the lab involves designing new enzymes – proteins that catalyze chemical reactions – that improve renewable biofuels, create novel pharmaceuticals, and reduce the environmental impact of chemical manufacturing.
Since then, Dr. Arnold has continued her transformative work at the California Institute of Technology, refining techniques that promise greener industrial processes, advanced pharmaceuticals, and more efficient biofuels. Beyond her scientific achievements, she serves as co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in the United States. Her work highlights how emulating nature’s trial-and-error approach can drive sustainable solutions. It also demonstrates how innovation often springs from reimagining processes already at work in the natural world.
Signaling broader shifts
These 13 women aren’t just names on a list; they symbolize a broader shift in how we view science and who shapes its future. From decoding the mysteries of black holes to pioneering vaccine technologies and reshaping agricultural practices, they’ve challenged outdated assumptions about what women can – and should – achieve. Their journeys illustrate that scientific progress depends on diverse perspectives, where collaboration, resilience, and curiosity light the path forward.
As we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, let’s remember that the achievements of these researchers, engineers, and inventors in helping us understand the world as we know it, also serve to help us reimagine what the world could become.
References
3. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.70409
4. www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2023/press-release
6.www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2020/doudna/167713-jennifer-doudna-interview-february-2021
8.www.arts-su.com/news/article/6013/art-tech-designing-for-an-accessible-world-with-hadeel-ayoub
11.https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2018/arnold/interview/
The author works with narrative and design in edtech, drawing on her background in print and new media and children’s literature and literacies. She enjoys exploring storyworlds across books and various media, always with a cup of tea in hand. She can be reached at dchoudary@gmail.com.
