11 February—International Day of Women and Girls in Science
The DZIF tackles gender-specific inequalities in science by specifically supporting young female scientists.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated every year on 11 February. Women are still underrepresented worldwide and particularly in the German science system: at 29.4 per cent, the proportion of women in research and development in Germany is well below the European average (source: Eurostat). At the German Center for Infection Research, the training and further education of female scientists and medical doctors working in basic and clinical research is actively supported primarily through programmes of the DZIF Academy. The examples of successful female DZIF researchers presented below are intended to encourage women and girls to pursue or continue a career in science.
Prof. Maria Vehreschild: Juggling career and family life
Maria Vehreschild is a physician and scientist and embodies the prototype of a clinician-scientist like few others. She has headed the Department of Infectious Diseases at University Hospital Frankfurt since 2018 and coordinates the DZIF research area “Healthcare-associated and Antibiotic-resistant bacterial Infections”. The mother of two has had an impressive career.
Learn more about Maria Vehreschild and her career
Dr Annika Classen: From medical doctor to phage researcher
Annika Classen has followed an exciting career path from a doctor specialising in infectious diseases at University Hospital Cologne to phage researcher. She is playing a key role in the DZIF TransPhage-Net with the goal of advancing phage therapy and research in Germany. The DZIF's Clinical Leave Programme was her stepping stone from patient care at the bedside to medical research in the laboratory and allowed her to take a break from clinical practice to gain experience in research.
Watch the interview with Annika Classen (in German)
Find out more about the Clinical Leave Programme
Interview with Dr Kathrin Held: DZIF Academy Maternity Leave Programme
Kathrin Held, DZIF scientist and group leader at LMU University Hospital Munich, was able to successfully return to research after parental leave with the support of the DZIF Maternity Leave Programme. In the video, she shares her experiences on her path as a scientist.
Watch the interview with Kathrin Held (in German)
Find out more about the Maternity Leave Programme
Prof. Bärbel Stecher: "An academic career is a good decision for anyone who is curious".
Bärbel Stecher, professor at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and coordinator of the DZIF research area "Gastrointestinal Infections", studies the intestinal microbiome. She is investigating its role in human health and how it protects against infections. In the video, Bärbel Stecher explains how she supports the scientific careers of her female colleagues.
Watch the video with Bärbel Stecher (in German)
“Infect-Net”—a Network of German Female Researchers in Infectious Diseases
Under the motto "inform, promote, network fairly", "Infect-Net" strives for more female perspectives in infection research. “Infect-Net” was founded by a group of renowned female infection researchers, including numerous DZIF scientists, to increase and strengthen the visibility, influence and collaboration of women in the field. The aim of the network is to create a platform for the exchange of ideas, experiences and resources in order to establish sustainable gender equality in infection research and science communication.