New Delhi: A childhood fascination with science sparked Snahlata Singh’s lifelong passion for research and innovation. As a cancer researcher and co-founder of Pune-based biotechnology firm BioMarkIQ, she now focuses on advancing healthcare, particularly through the development of cutting-edge tools for early lung cancer detection.
“Since childhood, I have been interested in science. What excites me about science is constantly coming up with new questions. Science is a career that can never become stagnant,” Singh told ThePrint, highlighting the continuous intellectual stimulation that keeps her engaged in her work.
In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, aiming to promote gender equality in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the observance, with the theme being “Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science”.
ThePrint spoke to several women scientists to understand their journeys and the challenges they face in STEM.
Navigating the challenges of health-tech innovation
Discussing her journey in creating BioMarkIQ, Singh acknowledged the challenges of developing a health-tech product. “Comparatively, the health-tech space takes a lot of time to develop because there are requirements for clinical trials and regulatory approvals, which is very time-consuming,” she explained.
Reflecting on the obstacles faced as a woman entrepreneur, she said, “You get judged at every step. We are told that we have multiple hats to wear.”
For young girls considering STEM careers, Singh offers advice grounded in patience and perseverance. “Science is a career that takes time to develop, so be patient and stick to your ambition,” she said, urging them to stay focused and committed to their goals despite the challenges ahead.
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Overcoming barriers in STEM
Pooja Agrawal, now programme director of biomedical research and innovation, Blockchain for Impact (BFI), reflects on her early days in the STEM field, where she was one of only four girls in a class full of boys during her Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) programme in the 1990s. Over the years, Dr Agrawal has developed an extensive career in ageing, stem cell biology, genomics, and cancer research.
“Research is challenging enough, and being a woman makes it even harder,” she told ThePrint, recalling the hurdles of her PhD journey at Brown University.
In India, where women make up over 43 percent of STEM graduates, the number drops significantly in STEM jobs, with only 14 percent holding such positions. Agrawal points out, “We are losing women in the middle. Biases—both conscious and subconscious—persist, and as women progress in their careers, many leave due to personal life pressures and societal expectations.”
She added, “I was fortunate to have a supportive family that allowed me to pursue my career abroad,” emphasising the importance of a strong support system for women in the field. “Women are a strong gender; we just need to be even stronger to succeed in the STEM field.”
Breaking barriers in healthcare innovation
Divyakshi Kaushik, founder and CEO of Pune-based wearable healthcare technology start-up Anatomech, shared her insights on the challenges women-led start-ups face in fundraising. “Largely, investors struggle to trust women entrepreneurs, particularly when it comes to execution, capability, and credibility, especially for start-ups that require longer gestation periods like healthcare ventures,” she told ThePrint.
Kaushik is a recipient of the prestigious BIRAC Social Innovation Immersion Fellowship and the NIDHI PRAYAS Grant from the Government of India. The NIDHI PRAYAS initiative, under the Department of Science and Technology, supports innovators by providing funding of up to Rs 10 lakh to help translate ideas into prototypes.
Highlighting the gender imbalance in various industries, she said, “In healthcare, we do see many women eager to join, but for other industries, I wouldn’t say the same.”
(Edited by Radifah Kabir)
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