Women in STEM: Sue Pearson, Ph.D., Science

Sue Pearson earned her PhD in molecular biology and microbiology from Cranfield University (UK), and her BSc degree in biochemistry from Brunel University (London). Here she shares a little about her career and the inspiration behind it.

What is your specific area of STEM?
Life Sciences (the study of living organisms, including biology, microbiology and biochemistry)

How would you explain your STEM field to young girls?
I write articles and present TV programmes about diseases, new drugs and machines that automate laboratory tasks.
 
What traits might a child possess that may indicate an interest or aptitude for your STEM field?
Being interested in how living things do what they do.
 
What did you know about your STEM field when you were a child? 
I didn't know much about my stem field when I was a child but I was encouraged at school and my parents bought me a chemistry set and a microscope when I was 11 so I had my own mini lab to play in. When my goldfish died I pickled it in vinegar and examined parts of it under the microscope.
 
Why did you choose your STEM field? Were you inspired by someone?
I wanted to be a forensic scientist when I was 11 as I was fascinated by the character of Sam in the TV show Quincy. I wrote to the forensic service and they told me what I needed to become a forensic scientist so I did my first degree in biochemistry with this in mind.

What are some really cool things that people in your profession work on? 
They work on drugs to cure cancer and rare disease. (View Sue’s programme for Cambridge TV on rare diseases).

What inspirational message would you give young girls to inspire them to pursue STEM? 
You can work in an area that helps cure people of terrible diseases and do something great for mankind.
 

Thank you for contributing, Sue!

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