International Day of Women and Girls in Science

This year it is the eighth International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which falls on 11 February. The date symbolises the significant role of women in the scientific world and their involvement in research activities. On this occasion, CZECRIN will highlight important women scientists working in infrastructure, including their research activities.

According to available data, only 30 % of women are active in science worldwide (OSN data). “We are pleased to say that at the Institute of Pharmacology of MED MUNI we are in a better position. There is a clear predominance of women among students in the PhD programme. Young female PhD students are represented by 70 %,” says Assistant Professor Lenka Součková, PhD, the CZECRIN expert.

Women scientists are also well present in CZECRIN, and in important positions. CZECRIN is represented by the Head of the Institute of Pharmacology, assoc. prof.  Regina Demlova, MD PhD, now also a guarantor of the European Centre of Excellence CREATIC project. Other scientists in leading positions are assoc. prof. Irena Koutná, MSc PhD, assoc. prof. Irena Doležalová, MD PhD, assoc. prof. Lenka Zdražilová Dubská, MSc PhD, and prof. Zuzana Mot’ovská, MD PhD. A number of women are also part of the expert team, international scientific advisory board and other professional positions.

One of the examples of their scientific work is the successfully implemented CZECRIN FOR PATIENTS project – introduction of innovative modern therapies, dedicated to the development and clinical research of ATMP (application of medicines for modern therapy) in the field of rare diseases in the adult and especially in the paediatric population.

Another activity with a major role for women takes place in the Advanced Cell Immunotherapy Unit (ACIU) of the Institute of Pharmacology.  We are currently working on the development and production of cell-based medicines that effectively help with the treatment of cancer or certain rare diseases. “One of these drugs is a dendritic cell vaccine for cancer patients with certain highly aggressive types of tumours, and the second product is mesenchymal stromal cells for the treatment of paediatric patients with butterfly childern disease,” explains Associate Professor Regina Demlová.

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