STEM Demystified – Liliana Duarte (Portugal)

Welcome to another edition of STEM Demystified, a project to tackle women under-representation in STEM. This weekly Newsletter will showcase how women are conquering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics worldwide.

Today, Liliana Duarte, is our inspiring STEM role model. Born in, Portugal, she was captivated by science from a young age, leading her to pursue a degree in Materials Science at Porto University and a PhD at ETH Zurich. Her journey reflects her deep passion for learning and her determination to make significant contributions in her field.

Liliana’s career spans both industry and academia. She has explored innovative materials and techniques, and now focuses on understanding the effects of hydrogen in nuclear materials at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland. Beyond her research, she shares her expertise through teaching at ETH Zurich, inspiring the next generation of scientists. Let’s find out how Liliana’s journey has been so far.

What was your trajectory from school to where you currently are professionally/academically?

From an early age, I was deeply interested in science and always wished to work in a laboratory, though I never understood why.

My academic journey has been far from a straight line, with several changes along the way. Initially, I studied Astronomy, but soon decided to shift towards more applied sciences, moving into Materials Engineering. After completing my studies, I was invited to stay in an academic role at Porto University. A few years later, an opportunity arose to pursue a Ph.D. at ETH Zurich. Honestly, I never thought that my CV would be accepted, and it was a very pleasant surprise. Of course, it was also a difficult decision to move to another country, as I am very attached to my family and Portugal, but I decided to take the opportunity. I don’t regret it, as the experience was incredibly enriching and still is!

Since I moved to Switzerland, my career has been “flowing.” Some opportunities arose after my Ph.D., including industrial experience and then a return to academia. I have been changing between different fields of research. At the moment, I am leading research on hydrogen embrittlement in zirconium alloys and other alloys.

What motivated you to get into STEM? Did you have a female role model or anyone who inspired you? If so, who?

As I mentioned earlier, from a young age (at primary school), I always wanted to work in a lab with science, although I didn’t initially know exactly which field it would be. I have always had a passion for science, enjoying subjects at school like maths, chemistry, physics, and astronomy.

My female role model has always been my mother, despite her not having a university degree. I always took her example of hard work and perseverance in life.

My female role model in science is definitely Marie Curie for her courage, hard work, perseverance, and dedication to her investigations. Through Marie Curie’s life, I see parallels with my mother’s dedication and resilience. Both women are hardworking and have been significant sources of inspiration for me.

What’s your most important professional/academic achievement?

My most important professional and academic achievements include several “small” achievements over the years, and sometimes the failures have also shown us important points.

Completing my Ph.D. was a significant accomplishment for me because it gave me a profound sense of capability and confidence to pursue my academic career. Additionally, successfully completing a major industrial project was highly rewarding, particularly when we developed a more cost-effective model by changing the materials and some technological processes.

Finally, the development of a new method for investigating hydrogen in irradiated cladding materials using neutron radiography imaging here at PSI has been a significant achievement that has also helped shape my expertise.

Did you face any challenge throughout your professional/academic journey? How did you overcome it?

Oh, yes, I faced many challenges throughout my professional and academic journey. The key lesson I learned is to never give up. There were numerous moments when I felt like giving up, but perseverance helped me overcome many obstacles. Staying focused on my goals and maintaining a resilient mindset were crucial in navigating these challenges successfully.

In your opinion, what needs to be done to attract more women into STEM?

To attract more women into STEM, there are several steps that can be taken at earlier stages but also later on.

Early education and encouragement for young girls are crucial; introducing them to STEM subjects and engaging them at earlier stages of school through more hands-on activities such as science camps, coding workshops, and robotics clubs can be interesting for both girls and boys. Experimenting with different fields will spark their interest, build confidence, and show them their favourite subjects.

Visibility of female role models is essential; highlighting the achievements of successful women in STEM through schools, universities, and media can encourage and inspire young girls to pursue similar paths.

What advice would you give to anyone looking into a career in STEM (or those who do not consider it)?

My advice for anyone considering a career in STEM is to be resilient and never give up. An important aspect of these types of careers is to build a professional network where we can gain insights, guidance, and opportunities for career advancement.

Liliana Duarte’s story shows how being strong and passionate can help women succeed in STEM. Her love for science and helping others proves how important it is to never give up and have good role models. To inspire more women in STEM, we should start early by encouraging curiosity and giving hands-on experiences.

Celebrating the achievements of women like Liliana can motivate young girls to pursue their dreams, showing them that they too can make meaningful contributions to the scientific community.

Imagine the impact if we all supported young girls in STEM – consider how rewarding it could be to help shaping the future of innovation. What can you do to make it happen?