Sunday, June 10, 2007

women in science




It is finished... the three month marathon grant writing is finally concluded...I submitted two 30 page each documents this morning and a load just slipped off my shoulders. I hope I finally see myself evolving into a seasoned grant writer.. While I was blog-hopping at the science hemisphere-- I came across several blogs that showed how anti-woman the science world was.. every woman seemed to have hit a glass ceiling at some point or other..That reminded me... in 1994 when I was post-doc..ing in US, my mentor a no-nonsense science gladiator - yes very much woman .. told me when I mentioned of my expertise in the transcription ( related to expression of genes) field .. that all the men in that field where sexist- at a time when I barely knew the meaning of that word. Really? hmm, i pondered thinking of all the wise, polite great men scientists I had met.. all very helpfull, courteous and full of wise advice...
I arched my trimmed eyebrows at her .. are you sure ( my expression wore in ethnic style) .. Yes yes she said and in her tall boots stomped out.. Now I test that hypothesis will all those wise, chatty , helpful men upon reading my grant turn to 'women hating' orges these women make them out ot be.. . I am ever hopeful that it would not be so..

4 comments:

Rebecca said...

I for one, am all for women in Science, no matter how hard it might be. I always encouraged my daughter to go that way - and she did..she is a gynecelogical Oncologist and before that she was an Obs/Gyny specialist. There were a few times that she encountered the Old Boys Club and attitudes but it has been worth her learning to stand up for herself and continue on and achieve all that she has done so far! Those are my thoughts. Thank you (by the way) for stopping by my blog - Amrita is too kind. You are welcome anytime.

Becky Wolfe said...

Thanks for visiting my blog & reminding me of the prayer needs for India. Just by getting to know Amrita a bit, I can understand more how difficult it is to have the Christian faith there. It will be in my prayers.

Good luck with your grant. I can read your excitement & nervousness in your last few posts!!

Janet Jeyapaul said...

Thanks Rebecca , that's interesting your daughter is a gyn Oncologist... I recently focused on breast cancer after years of basic sciences in transcription regulation..I found we scientists orbit in our own sphere of thinking far from the true clinical picture..that is the reason I switched to something more relevant like breast cancer.. Close to where I live two very young, remarkable women lost their lives to breast cancer.. both unfortunalely were even declared cured before metastasis struck its fatal blow..that..metastasis is what my grants are about. Keep praying..

Janet Jeyapaul said...

Thanks Becky,
It is not all that bad for Christians in India I must add..God is at work in marvelous way. Recently an Christian IT student testified that he was asked in the interview what he did for recreation..like which pubs or disco station he visited..Flabbergasted he muttered ..he went to his youth group at Church to have a good time..they laughed but he was hired and at a salary 3times than what he expected.Regards JJ