STEM Demystified – Dr. Shalini Sankar (UK)

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

Today, I’m thrilled to feature Dr. Shalini Sankar as STEM role model. Originally from India, Dr. Sankar moved to the United Kingdom as a child with her parents, embracing the challenges and opportunities of being a first-generation immigrant. Her academic journey led her to Newcastle University, where she completed a PhD in Cancer Research, specialising in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, a particularly aggressive form of childhood blood cancer.

Dr. Sankar’s postdoctoral work saw her pioneering CRISPR gene-editing and developing cell line models to explore new therapeutic approaches for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukaemia, highlighting her significant contributions to Haemato-Oncology. Transitioning from academia to industry, she joined Sygnature Discovery, a world-leading drug discovery contract research organisation. There, Dr. Sankar expanded her expertise by working on diverse projects in Oncology and Neuroscience, leading assay development for new pre-clinical candidates, and serving as deputy lab operations lead and a specialist in imaging and automation.

After a decade of impactful work as a wet-lab scientist, Dr. Sankar is currently on a break, preparing for a career transition within life sciences. She is engaging in learning and development activities such as programming, AI, and machine learning, showcasing her commitment to continuous growth and innovation. Let’s delve into Dr. Sankar’s inspiring story and discover how she has navigated her career with resilience and adaptability.

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

After completing my schooling with A-levels in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, I started my undergraduate degree in Biotechnology at Northumbria University. I particularly enjoyed studying about the biology of diseases with a fascination for Cancer Biology as well as realising that there is an unmet need for improved therapeutic approaches for patients. Therefore, after completing my undergraduate degree I decided to pursue a research masters in Cancer at Newcastle University where I spent full-time researching on a project relating to a type of childhood blood cancer. The successful outcome of this project helped me secure further funding and continue the word as a longer-term doctoral project. 4 years later, I successfully completed my PhD and even had the opportunity to present my findings at an international conference. Even before I submitted my thesis, I was able to secure a postdoctoral research position in the same field, at The University of Manchester.

Initially, my plan was to pursue a long-term career in academia. I still vividly remember myself saying “One day I’m going to become a Professor in Cancer Biology.” But soon, I found myself being captivated by opportunities in industry and the chance to shape myself into a more well-rounded individual. My time in academia was extremely rewarding and I’m truly grateful for everything I gained, particularly the ability to think independently as well as show resilience during challenging times. However, for some individuals, it can become a secluded environment, limiting exposure to the wider scientific community as well as emerging technological advancements. After the completion of my 2-year postdoctoral research, I was headhunted for my first role as a scientist in industry – which I can confidently say, has been a life changing experience.

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

Several factors have inspired me to get into STEM. Firstly, my passion for science sparked very early on in high school where I developed a strong interest for biology and enjoyed learning about the human body. With regards to role models, my parents have always been my biggest inspiration. My father is a doctorate as well as a gold medallist in metallurgical engineering. He was the one who instilled in me the attitude to think independently and approach problems with an innovative mindset. My mother was one of the few women of her generation who joined the workforce after graduating from university and getting married. She always has and will be my biggest female role model because she was the one who taught me never to give up on my ambitions. Through her continued support and encouragement, I became the first women in the whole of my extended family to attain a PhD and that too in a STEM subject.

Another big factor that motivated me to get into STEM is the unbearable level of patriarchy in my wider community where so many young girls, to this day, are discouraged from pursuing their dreams. Patriarchy is present even today, in every corner of the world, but it is particularly more prevalent within the south Asian community. I was lucky enough to have extremely liberal and supportive parents but even now a high proportion of families, view their daughters as commodities, who will eventually be passed onto the hands of a man, only for their dreams to be buried.

Even for those who are educated and employed like me, it’s still not an easy ride. My achievements are constantly overlooked, and I never get the same level of appreciation as my male counterparts. Even to this day, I encounter bias during family gatherings, weddings, parties. Questions relating to career aspirations are always directed at my male counterparts, whereas conversations about household chores, cooking, cleaning and work-life balance are reserved for me. When they accomplish something in their careers, it will make the headlines, but that never is the case for me even though I put in the same amount of time and energy. The disparity is often suffocating. Having said that, it’s the same feeling which endlessly pushes me to perform at my level best and gives me the urge to prove that I am just as worthy and deserving.

In my recent role in industry, I deliberately embraced and led initiatives such as laboratory automation, often seen as traditionally male-dominated. Who said machines are made for men only? Even now during my career break, I’m driving deeper into skills that were traditionally male-dominated such as coding.

With determination, it’s possible to change society’s attitude towards women and that’s exactly why I always strive to set an example for the next generation of young women wanting to enter STEM.

What’s your most important professional/academic achievement?

Getting my promotion as senior scientist in a world-leading CRO is by far, the most important achievement in my life. After moving to the UK, I faced several hardships throughout my schooling because of everyday racism and bullying. This really affected my mental health and destroyed my self-esteem. Even some of my teachers were unconsciously discriminating. When I first moved to the UK and joined school I was put into a further literacy support group, even though my spoken and written English was perfectly fine, if anything, better than some native students. I still vividly remember one of my biology teachers in high school telling me I would never shine in this subject at a parents evening session but soon, I figured it was a comment directed at me because of my skin colour and not my aptitude. I’ve even attended interviews for PhD studentships, where I was once told I lack understanding of even basic concepts in Biology. It’s hard to control a situation when a panel have unconsciously decided you are not the candidate for them even before reaching the half-way point of an interview. Therefore, overcoming several challenges as a first-generation immigrant for many years and eventually going onto obtaining a highly successful role in industry, certainly feels like the most important achievement in my career so far. 

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

As a first-generation immigrant, I would say communication was my biggest challenge. Firstly, moving to a new country and adapting to the local communication style, itself was quite difficult. In addition to that, all the challenges I faced in school due to racism added even more pressure. Even after my first degree, my communication skills were not fully up to scratch because of all the confidence that I had lost. I knew I wanted to do a research masters and then eventually a PhD, but I didn’t even know how to craft a convincing email to express my interest to various group leaders. Believe it or not, in the end, it was my mother who helped me find an academic supervisor through a colleague at her workplace. Without the lifeline that she gave me that day, I’m not sure where I would be today. I remember giving my first ever academic presentation in a lab group meeting.

The feedback I got was so poor (lack of eye contact, poor body language and a disengaging voice) that it was then I realised how much work I needed to put in. I knew I had a long way to go but I made a solid start. During my time in academia, I took on every possible activity that would help me improve my communication skills. Examples include volunteering to present my work where possible, internally or at conferences as well as participating in journal clubs.

More recently at my role in industry, I took several operational roles within the company in addition to performing experiments. These included, chairing large group meetings, presenting at departmental meetings and hosting training sessions and workshops, all of which required strong communication. As a result of all the effort I put in, today I can say I’m a confident communicator with strong people skills.  

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

Attracting more women into STEM fields requires a multi-layered approach that addresses societal, educational, and professional hurdles. Here are some examples that I can think of. Early education and exposure are key to introduce girls to STEM subjects through engaging workshops that make learning fun and accessible. Providing young girls with female role models in STEM can help to inspire and guide them. Mentorship programs can help build confidence and provide support. A more inclusive curriculum and teaching practices can ensure that the curriculum highlights contributions of women in STEM and addresses gender biases. I still remember the huge underrepresentation of pioneering female scientists in my school curriculum. Names like Rosalind Franklin, Marie Curie, and Dorothy Hodgkin were nowhere near as frequently highlighted as their male counterparts, such as Watson, Crick, Newton, or Einstein.

Furthermore, industry and corporate initiatives such as diversity and inclusion programs within companies can create a welcoming environment for women. Companies could offer career development programs and mentorship opportunities specifically targeted at women in STEM to support their professional growth.

Finally, policy and advocacy – promoting policies that support work-life balance, such as flexible work hours, parental leave and more hybrid/remote working can really make STEM careers more accessible to women.

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

Consider exploring a career in STEM if you haven’t already; it offers diverse opportunities across fields like medical sciences, engineering, computer science, and mathematics. Visibility in STEM is crucial; seek out role models and mentors who can guide and inspire you as you navigate your career path. Focus on building a strong foundation in mathematics and science, as these subjects form the basis of many STEM fields. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, develop resilience, and seek mentorship from professionals in your area of interest. Gain hands-on experience through internships, research projects, or volunteer work to complement your theoretical knowledge and build practical skills.

Always be curious and stay abreast of advancements in your field and consider the potential impact of your work on societal advancement. I can take myself as an example here. As a scientist, what has always kept me motivated is the contribution I’m making to improve healthcare and the impact I’m going to have on patients, even if it’s a few years down the line. Networking and collaboration are key! Attend conferences, join professional organisations, and connect with peers and experts to expand your opportunities and knowledge base. STEM careers offer the chance to innovate, solve complex problems, and contribute positively to the world so consider how your skills and passions can lead to a fulfilling and impactful career in STEM.

Dr. Shalini Sankar’s journey from India to the UK, and her exceptional achievements in cancer research, industry innovation, and commitment to lifelong learning, embody resilience, determination, and the power of representation. Her story is a testament to the impact that passion and perseverance can have on overcoming barriers and driving change in STEM fields. Dr. Sankar’s dedication to empowering the next generation of women in STEM, combined with her impressive professional milestones, serves as a beacon of inspiration. Her message is clear: with determination and support, anyone can break through societal constraints and make significant contributions to science and beyond.