International Day of Women and Girls in Science
We catch up with marine biologist, shark enthusiast and Parley ambassador Melissa Márquez to discuss how we can create a more diverse, inclusive and equitable future for girls and women in STEM
This image by Megan Barrett. Header image by Jeremy Bishop
Image courtesy of Melissa Cristina Márquez
Known as the "Mother of Sharks," Melissa is a Latina marine biologist, wildlife educator, professional speaker and presenter, and freelance environmental writer. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Mexico, she aims to bring attention to the importance of diversity and inclusion in the STEM industry.
As founder of The Fins United Initiative, a program that teaches audiences shark conservation and education, Melissa is passionate about helping people understand how vital it is that we learn to co-exist with the oceanic apex predators. She has become one of the leading advocates for women and minorities in the field of shark research, constantly shedding light on the importance of sharks and the diverse groups working to study and protect them. Below, Melissa reflects on her own journey to a career in marine biology and ways we can create a more equal and inclusive future for all people to learn and work in STEM.
“Science, technology, engineering, and mathematic (STEM) skills are vitally important in our technology-driven world. But the positive innovations resulting from these fields have come from the hard work of individuals – women and men, alike.”
Image by Coral Reef Image Bank / Hannes Klostermann
What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM?
I knew I wanted to become a marine biologist at the age of four, proudly declaring it to my parents and them smiling and being encouraging. I was enamored by the turquoise blue waters surrounding my island home (Puerto Rico), diving underwater to poke around coral reefs and chase fish whenever I could. But I started to doubt if this dream of mine was even possible around the age of seven – not because I was bad at math or had become disinterested, but because I didn’t see any female Latina marine biologists in the books and TV shows I watched. Where are the people who look and sound like me?
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematic (STEM) skills are vitally important in our technology-driven world. But the positive innovations resulting from these fields have come from the hard work of individuals – women and men, alike. While the number of women in STEM careers seems to be growing, men continue to outnumber us at the upper levels of these professions.
Why do you think this gender gap exists?
Roughly equal numbers of girls and boys take math and science courses in elementary, middle, and high school, and just as many girls want to pursue STEM majors at university. The answer is simple, but complex: the global education systems we currently have in place allow for gender divides to be perpetuated and impact the most marginalized girls.
Image courtesy of Melissa Cristina Márquez
How can we create an equitable future for girls and women in science?
Succeeding in these subjects goes beyond having a STEM degree – it is about the skills that these fields cultivate, gaining the tools necessary to question key local (and global) issues and propose answers that challenge traditional views, allowing for solutions we cannot even imagine. Thus, it is imperative that countries should commit to having a society that provides equal opportunity for people of all genders to learn and work in STEM. Seems difficult to implement, but it comes down to “lending an EAR”—
Empowerment
Governments and schools need to come together to educate girls (as well as parents, teachers, career counsellors and other primary education influencers) on STEM opportunities and the types of careers one can have in this industry, helping to break down gender stereotypes.
Assistance
STEM workplaces need to support the ongoing recruitment and retention of women in STEM roles at all levels – that also means having a hard look at their ‘workplace culture’ and whether they are actively supporting their progression to leadership positions.
Representation
Showcasing diverse, strong STEM role models and careers in multiple media platforms (books, television, social media) will help to address the bias and stereotyping that currently exists.
Image by Jeremy Bishop
In your experience, how can society and communities do a better job of lending an EAR, and making young scientists feel supported?
When I was younger, I didn’t have many people to lend me an EAR. But I did have my mother, my fifth grade science teacher, and my tenth grade biology teacher all enthusiastically supporting me. My mom bought me every marine biology book she could find and helped fund my scuba diving certification trip, continuing to be one of my loudest supporters to this day. Ms. Longa encouraged me to always ask questions and gave me a marine mammal book that I still have to this day. Ms. Longino fostered my love for science communication (before I even knew the term), allowing me to give my first “shark talk” in her class.
I was lucky enough to have people to cheer my wildest dreams on… many are not. This year, I and many other women in STEM are calling stakeholders to work together to dismantle the barriers that girls face when it comes to pursuing a STEM career. Otherwise, how else will they develop the skills needed to create the scientific knowledge and technologies of tomorrow?
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