From Presence to Power: Women Leading in Science

Scientific academies and international scientific organizations play a critical role in shaping research agendas, recognizing excellence and advising policymakers. Who leads these institutions influences whose expertise is heard and whose perspectives shape science.

Yet women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership. The 2026 global report Towards Gender Equality in Scientific Organizations shows that only one in five science academies worldwide is currently led by a woman.

While women increasingly participate in scientific communities, presence does not automatically translate into influence. Leadership positions, decision-making roles and recognition still remain unevenly distributed.

The women featured in this series represent important exceptions to this pattern. They are scientists who have reached leadership positions despite persistent structural barriers. Their careers demonstrate how women’s leadership strengthens science, broadens perspectives and helps create more inclusive institutions.

Through the From Presence to Power campaign, IAP highlights women who are shaping scientific organizations, advancing research and mentoring future generations.

Meet the #FromPresenceToPower Female Scientists in Leadership Positions

 

Dame Jane Harding
President, Royal Society Te Apārangi, New Zealand

Distinguished Professor Dame Jane Harding is an internationally recognized neonatologist whose research on growth and development around birth has improved outcomes for mothers and babies worldwide. With over 35 years of experience in clinical medicine, research, and teaching, her work has contributed to new understanding and therapies in perinatal health. She has received New Zealand’s Rutherford Medal, the Prime Minister’s Science Prize, and awards from leading international pediatric and perinatal research societies. Dame Jane has held leadership roles including Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of Auckland and has led international scientific collaborations, including the merger of the Australian and New Zealand Perinatal Societies. She now serves as President of Royal Society Te Apārangi.
 

Dr Chan Siok Yee
Co-Chair Global Young Academy

Dr Chan Siok Yee is a Malaysian pharmaceutical scientist and science leader whose work connects research, education, and community engagement. After training as a clinical pharmacist, she pursued a PhD in pharmaceutical technology and has focused on advancing pharmaceutical science and STEM education. She has developed STEM modules for schools and promoted environmental sustainability through community projects. Her contributions have been recognized through the Asian Young Pharmacy Award (2019) and attendance at the Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting. Dr Chan currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Malaysian Journal of Pharmacy, is Co-Chair of the Global Young Academy and serves on the capacity building committee of the InterAcademy Partnership.

Women and men are the two essential wings of a society must be made equally strong for optimizing economic growth and enhancing humanitarian missions. Inadequate participation of women in scientific missions prohibits achieving the highest-level scientific solutions and deserved benefits for those who need it the most. Promoting women in STEM is critically important for paving a smoother highway for building a highly resilient future generation of the world.

 

Dr. Aliya Naheed
Senior Scientist, icddr,b; Country Director, NIHR Global Health Research Centre for NCDs and Environmental Change, Bangladesh

Dr. Naheed is a medical doctor and public health researcher with 30 years of experience in infectious and noncommunicable diseases. She has led national programs in epidemiology, digital health and primary care strengthening, and has developed innovative interventions for hypertension, childhood NCDs, and mental health. Dr. Naheed has authored over 125 publications, supervised numerous PhD candidates and spearheaded initiatives for women in STEM, including the Women Scientists and Researchers Forum at icddr,b and The Global Health Network Asia. She is a Fellow of TWAS and the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences and has received international recognition for her contributions to public health.

Women and men are the two essential wings of a society; promoting women in STEM is critical to building a resilient future generation.

 

Prof. Kadriye Arzum Erdem Gürsan
Full Professor, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Ege University, Türkiye

Prof. Gürsan is an expert in electrochemistry, biosensors, nanomaterials and biomedical applications. She has led multiple national and international research projects, developed innovative diagnostic technologies and authored over 220 publications with an h-index of 47. She has held key roles in the Turkish Academy of Sciences and international science policy committees, including UNESCO IBSP and AASSA-WISE, promoting STEM and research equity across Asia.

Diverse perspectives in science drive innovation. International collaboration broadens minds and fosters transformative solutions.

 

Prof. Frances Separovic FAA AO
Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Melbourne; Foreign Secretary, Australian Academy of Science

Prof. Separovic is a biophysical chemist specializing in molecular interactions in biological membranes. She was the first female chemistry professor at Melbourne and the first female chemist elected to the Australian Academy of Science. Her research on peptide antibiotics and toxins has had global impact, and she has served as president of multiple scientific societies. Prof. Separovic actively promotes diversity in STEM and international scientific collaboration.

For a more sustainable future, we need science and policy to be informed by diverse expertise and experiences.

 

Dr. Maria Aura Teodora C. Matias, PhD, ASEAN Engr., PIE
Academician, National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines; Retired Professor, University of the Philippines

Dr. Matias is a leader in industrial engineering, human factors, productivity and occupational safety. She has spearheaded quality assurance, engineering education reforms and safety systems across the Philippines and ASEAN. As a mentor, she has guided generations of women engineers and actively participates in AASSA-WISE to promote regional STEM equity. She received numerous national and international honors and was named one of the top 100 outstanding Engineers of the Center by the UP Alumni Engineers.

Science needs women not simply for balance, but for transformation—designing systems that are efficient, humane, and inclusive.

 

Prof. Nadira Dharshani Karunaweera
Chair and Senior Professor of Parasitology, University of Colombo; Former President, National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka

Prof. Karunaweera is a medical parasitologist specializing in tropical diseases, including malaria and leishmaniasis. She founded Sri Lanka’s first leishmaniasis research lab and has influenced national health policy through her research. She is a Fellow of TWAS, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and is recognized among the world’s top 2% of scientists. She has mentored multiple generations of women scientists and established the Sri Lanka National Chapter of OWSD.

Keep your eyes locked on the goal—don’t let anything or anyone pull you off your path.

 

Prof. Supawan Tantayanon
Professor of Chemistry, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand; President, Science Society of Thailand under the Patronage of His Majesty the King

Prof. Tantayanon is a pioneer in green chemistry, small-scale chemistry, and sustainable laboratory practices. She has developed innovative teaching tools, led international workshops, and contributed to IUPAC guidelines and global STEM initiatives. Her leadership in chemical safety, education, and AASSA-WISE promotes women’s participation in science and responsible scientific practices.

Women often see possibilities others miss. When women step into science, they reshape it and open new paths for generations to follow.

 

Dr Tista Prasai Joshi
Senior Scientist, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, Chair of the OWSD-Nepal Chapter

Dr Tista Prasai Joshi is a senior scientist specializing in water resources and environmental sustainability. Her research contributes to improving understanding of water systems and environmental challenges, earning international recognition including the TWAS Award (2024), the OWSD–Elsevier Foundation Award, and the OWSD Early Career Fellowship (2019). Beyond research, she promotes women’s participation in science as Chair of the OWSD Nepal Chapter and represents the Asia-Pacific region in the global Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), advocating for mentoring and stronger support for women researchers.

Women and men are the two essential wings of a society must be made equally strong for optimizing economic growth and enhancing humanitarian missions. Inadequate participation of women in scientific missions prohibits achieving the highest-level scientific solutions and deserved benefits for those who need it the most. Promoting women in STEM is critically important for paving a smoother highway for building a highly resilient future generation of the world.

 

Dr Luisa Maria Diele-Viegas
Ecologist, Chair of the Brazilian chapter of OWSD

Dr Luisa Maria Diele-Viegas is a Brazilian ecologist studying biodiversity in the Anthropocene and the impacts of human activities on natural and human systems. She coordinates the Laboratory of Biodiversity in the Anthropocene (BioDivA) and develops transdisciplinary approaches integrating ecology, ethnobiology, and environmental governance. Dr Diele-Viegas serves as President of the Brazilian Association for Ecological Science and Conservation (ABECO) and as President of the Brazilian OWSD chapter and Latin America regional representative. She is also a member of the Global Young Academy, a Young Affiliate of TWAS, and serves on the executive committee of the European Society for Evolutionary Biology.

Women and men are the two essential wings of a society must be made equally strong for optimizing economic growth and enhancing humanitarian missions. Inadequate participation of women in scientific missions prohibits achieving the highest-level scientific solutions and deserved benefits for those who need it the most. Promoting women in STEM is critically important for paving a smoother highway for building a highly resilient future generation of the world.

 

Dr María Esther Quintana Cáceda
Director, Department of Physical Engineering, National University of Engineering (UNI), Peru; OWSD Executive Board Member for Latin America and the Caribbean

Dr María Esther Quintana Cáceda is a Peruvian chemist and materials scientist specializing in nanomaterials and graphene for photovoltaic and environmental applications. She serves as Director of the Department of Physical Engineering at the National University of Engineering in Lima and as Technical Manager of NanoInventa, linking research, innovation and real-world deployment.

She has held postdoctoral research positions at Uppsala University and KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden and previously led the Environmental Engineering program at Cayetano Heredia University. She is also a member of the Executive Board of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World for Latin America and the Caribbean and a former Industrial Development Area Manager for CYTED, supporting inclusive scientific leadership across the region.

Women’s presence in science becomes power when it comes with authority: budgets, teams, labs, and seats where decisions are made. When women lead, science moves closer to society—turning knowledge into solutions, opening pathways for the next generation, and reshaping what ‘excellence’ looks like. #FromPresenceToPower means building institutions where women don’t just participate—they set the agenda.

 

Dr Lobna A. Said
Associate Professor, Nile University, Egypt; Former Co-President of the Arab-German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities (AGYA), OWSD Executive Board

Dr Lobna A. Said is an Associate Professor of Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering at Nile University and Director of the Microelectronics System Design Program. Her research focuses on intelligent sensing systems, hardware accelerators and secure data-driven technologies for applications in sustainable infrastructure and smart environments.

She has authored more than 225 scientific publications and serves on the editorial boards of several international journals. Dr Said is a Fulbright fellow, a TWAS Young Affiliate and an Affiliate Member of the African Academy of Sciences. She previously served as Co-President of the Arab-German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities and currently represents the Arab region on the Executive Board of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World.

Determination is what turns presence into power. When women in science persist with purpose, they create the paths that others will follow.

 

Prof. Mervat Foda
Professor of Dairy Science and Technology, National Research Centre, Egypt

Prof. Mervat Foda is a dairy science researcher at the National Research Centre in Egypt whose work focuses on food science and technology. She has published more than 50 research papers and a book chapter, and holds three patents designed to support children with special needs and older adults. She has also supervised master’s and PhD students from Egypt and Sudan.

Alongside her research, Prof. Foda holds several leadership roles promoting women in science. She serves as Vice President of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World for the Arab region, Chair of the OWSD Egypt National Chapter, and President of the Society for Women in Science in Developing Countries in Egypt. She is also President of the Swedish–South Asian Network for Fermented Foods national chapter in Egypt and has previously led the National Committee for Women in Science at Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

I believe that when a woman in science leads, she transcends the act of breaking barriers and proving herself only. With mastery and grace, she conveys knowledge in a manner both rigorous and wise—clear, persuasive, and inspiring, which lead to doing innovative, transparent, and enduring future.  

 

Prof. Evelyn Umemezia
Professor of Human Resource Management, African Regional Member of OWSD Executive Board

Prof. Evelyn Umemezia is a Professor of Human Resource Management with an academic background in the sciences and more than 30 years of experience in human resource management, business and management, gender studies, and organizational behaviour. Her work focuses on bridging education and industry through vocational education, workforce development, and career guidance to strengthen employability and entrepreneurship.

She serves as the African Regional Member of the Executive Board of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD). She has also contributed to international policy discussions, including serving on the planning committee of the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) International Workshop on Sexual Harassment in Academia (Paris, 2025). As Principal Investigator of an African-Uninet funded multicountry research project (2024–2026), she leads research on campus sexual harassment in Nigerian private universities, developing evidence-based interventions and policies to promote safer and more equitable academic environments.

When women equally participate in science and leadership, institutions move beyond tradition toward transformation.

From Presence to Power

The stories featured here demonstrate the impact women can have when they reach positions of leadership in science. Yet the findings of the global report on gender equality in scientific organizations show that much work remains to be done.

Moving from presence to power requires continued efforts to remove barriers to leadership, expand opportunities for women in decision-making roles and ensure that scientific institutions reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.