Lourdes Vázquez Cruz

I’m a biologist with a master’s degree in Biological Sciences and I’m a speleologist. My research is about cave fish demography. I study a little fish that lives in Mexican caves and is completely blind (Astyanax mexicanus). To find this fish I go into the caves and sometimes I have to go very deep underground. I use mathematical models to understand their populations. These models allow me to predict and estimate what may happen with populations in the future, if these tend to decrease or increase over time.

Being a woman in science is exciting because you can prove your abilities. We currently have more opportunities, advantages, tools, action fields, and equity in science than in the past. Therefore, we can create, do more research, and contribute in many fields of study. 

In my personal experience, it was very challenging to have a child and balance motherhood and professional life. You must work harder to achieve your goals, particularly if you are a single mother. Often, there is a prejudice against women who are mothers and the path to professional growth and success is harder. I think this is probably one of the main reasons for the lack of women in science. Having and raising a child is one of the biggest challenges and could be a road bump for every woman who wants to continue her professional life. 

My female role model is Segenet Kelemu, a molecular plant pathologist whose groundbreaking research is dedicated to helping subsistence farmers grow more food and lift themselves out of poverty. Kelemu grew up in a poor farming family in Ethiopia. In her village girls get married very young through arranged marriages, but she refused to follow those beliefs and traditions and was the first woman from her region to have a degree. After years of studying outside of her country, she decided to return to Africa and do something for her people, even though she led a good life abroad. I believe that she is a great female scientist and role model because she achieved her goals despite the hard circumstances for a woman and because she used her knowledge to help their country and those in need.

I believe that today there’s more chances for girls and women to do science, however, obstacles and disadvantages remain for women in a world that has had opportunities only for men. There is still much to do to reach real equity.