On this International Women’s Day (8 March 2025), we’re recognising the incredible women in the Green Bioactives’ team who play a crucial role in developing the future of plant science and Plant Cell Culture Technology.
Despite the historical barriers to working in science, women continue to break stereotypes and inspire future generations to pursue STEM careers - and our team is at the forefront of this.
But how did the women in our team choose to work in science, and what inspired them?
We asked five members of the team to share their stories:
Freya, Research Associate - Plant Tissue Culture
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“When I was younger, I was always catching insects and collecting plants (much to my mum's dismay). I used to dissect flowers and had a flower press to preserve the ones I had a particular liking for.
Then I got into school and enjoyed biology and being in the lab, so I pursued that and joined the STEM club in secondary school. I continued on that path, specialising in plant sciences in university and found myself wanting to work for a company that prioritised sustainability and innovation, which landed me at Green Bioactives.”
Camille, Laboratory Assistant
"I got into STEM from an early age because of my school's encouragement of scientific engagement. If we had a question, we were encouraged to pursue it. I've had a lot of different interests through the years as a result but I keep coming back to STEM and how much I enjoy figuring out how the world works at a detailed level.
I’ve shared a picture of my science fair project (age 12) on morning glories and thigmotropism, exploring how plants can be capable of responding to physical stimulus."
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Michela, Scientist - Laboratory Manager
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"When I was a child I was interested in lots of totally different stuff. So I decided to attend liceo scientifico, a generic high school that prepares you for university. While at school, I had a science professor called Diego Fratton. He taught us to think with our brain, to be critics, and how to read scientific papers and news in general.
To have the highest grades in his class you didn't only need to learn everything, but also add personal research. I chose to perform a DNA extraction in class with easy and rudimental stuff (for example, a banana, soap and salt). I was so excited!
To understand that something so small contains all the information for life was so incredible! But it was the research I made on Hapmap that really made me understand that I love DNA, genetics and genomics. The human haplotype map was published that year (2005) and I still remember exactly how fascinated I was by it. It was at that moment, when I finished making my PowerPoint for the lesson that I decided that that would be my career".
Emily, Research Associate - Production
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“Since childhood I have always been interested in how the world works, particularly the human body. Joining Green Bioactives has allowed me to work on developing natural products in a sustainable way that will benefit people.”
Rhiannon Munro, Research Assistant ‑ Analytical Chemistry
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“From a young age I've always been fascinated with how everything works. My inspiration to go into STEM was my mum, she always encouraged me to ask questions and find out the answers. I remember asking questions at dinner time about how the things I was eating went from the stages of being grown and produced all the way to making it to my plate.
In school I found my passion for chemistry and biology which eventually lead to me becoming an analytical chemist at Green Bioactives.”
Grow, develop, and accelerate action
And there it is! Five incredible women who found a passion for science at a young age and are doing great things to advance scientific innovation and breakthroughs. Are you feeling inspired?
The theme for this year’s International Women's Day is Accelerate Action and we have no doubt that our team of women scientists will use their voice to motivate other young scientists to go on and achieve great things in the future.
To learn more about International Women’s Day 2025, visit their website.
