ONLINE EXHIBITION
Women in Science
Erika Wiseman
Hello, my name is Erika Wiseman and work in the Stem Cell Hotel, part of the Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine at King’s College London. Our cellular phenotyping facility enables researchers to perform live-cell and high-content / high-throughput imaging to characterise their samples of interest.
I am originally from California and have lived in London for the past 9 years. I graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a BSc in Biology: Animal Physiology and Neuroscience, along with minors in literature and psychology. Following university, my first position was in academia, as a research technician at The Scripps Research Institute, where I worked on 2 projects. The first studied the antibody response in, and aetiology of, multiple sclerosis. A second project involved cloning and expression of antibodies recognizing the cellular prion protein. I then moved into industry when I joined a start-up drug discovery company. As part of the lead discovery team, I developed and miniaturised assays for ultra-high-throughput screens of approximately 900,000 compounds. I continued in drug discovery until we relocated to the UK and took a career break to raise my daughters.
My experience of being a woman in science has largely been positive as I have had supportive mentors around me. One of the hardest times was returning to work as a new mother (after only 4 months) but my colleagues, many of whom were also mothers, acted as my second family. Later, I suffered massively from imposter syndrome after taking 4 years off after our relocation and the birth of my second daughter. I hadn’t ever worked in this country, had been out of the laboratory, and now needed to balance returning to a career with the needs of my family. I was so fortunate to find a ‘unicorn’ – a flexible, part-time position in a wonderfully diverse and supportive environment! Having a female head of the department, who is herself a passionate advocate for women in science, fosters the opportunities for the advancement of girls and women. Supportive male colleagues have also played a role in actively seeking balance in panels and discussions, ensuring equal airtime, and promoting an inclusive workplace. As one such colleague pointed out, so many of the life skills that you develop as a mother are applicable to research, after all, who can better multi-task than a busy mum?!
9 Nov 2021
Fiona Watt & Alice Vickers on Stem Cell Report Podcast
Professor Fiona Watt and recently graduated Alice Vickers joined the Stem Cell Report Podcast with Martin Pera to talk about uncovering the relationship between genetic variants and cellular behaviour. They recently developed a platform to quantify iPSC differentiation propensity to investigate the genetic contribution to phenotypic variability.
13 Jul 2021
Fiona Watt appointed as EMBO Director
Professor Fiona Watt has announced she will step down from the role as Executive Chair of the Medical Research Council in early 2022 to succeed current EMBO Director Maria Leptin. She has been a member of EMBL’s Scientific Advisory Committee since 2016.
15 Jan 2018
Professor Watt announced as government’s preferred candidate for Executive Chair of the Medical Research Council (MRC)
Professor Watt has been selected as the government’s preferred candidate to be the Executive Chair of the Medical Research Council (MRC) when it becomes a constituent part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in April 2018.
15 May 2017
Professor Watt leads the stem cell and cell signalling spoke of Centre for Cellular Signal Patterns (CellPAT)
The National Danish Research Foundation has announced that it will give 61 million DKK (£7 million) to fund the Centre for Cellular Signal Patterns (CellPAT) led by Professor Jorgen Kjems.
15 Feb 2016
Professor Fiona Watt to receive Women in Science Award
Professor Watt has been announced as the winner of the 2016 FEBS | EMBO Women in Science Award. She's received the award for uncovering the mechanisms that control mammalian epidermal stem cell renewal and differentiation, and for discovering how these processes are deregulated in cancer, wound healing and inflammatory skin disorders; in addition to recognition for her commitment to gender issues, her leadership qualities and her active mentorship of junior scientists.
15 Jul 2015
Professor Watt encourages international young scientists in London
Professor Watt was delighted to deliver the keynote opening lecture at the 2015 London International Youth Science Forum. The two week residential event held at Imperial College London attracts over 400 of the world's leading young scientists aged 17 - 21 years old from more than 60 participating countries.
15 Nov 2014
Professor Watt links with industry 'down under'
When Professor Watt visited Australia to deliver a keynote speech for the Sydney Cancer Conference, she was also invited by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Australia to give a seminar about one of the UK's '8 Great Technologies' - Regenerative Medicine, and opportunities for Australian companies working in this area.
15 Dec 2013
Watt Lab paper featured on cover of Nature
Professor Fiona Watt's lab has had a paper published in Nature – and is also featured on the cover. The paper is about fibroblasts – a type of cell found in the connective tissue of the body's organs, where they produce proteins such as collagen that provide structural support. It is widely believed that all fibroblasts are the same cell type.
15 Nov 2013
King's College London award for Professor Watt
Professor Fiona Watt's contribution to the promotion of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine research was recognised at KCL's annual "King's Awards" ceremony last night. Fiona was presented with her award for "Most Outstanding Contribution to Public Engagement" by KCL Principal, Professor Rick Trainor.
15 Sept 2013
Professor Watt on Radio 4's "Inside Science"
Professor Fiona Watt was delighted to be invited to take part in BBC Radio 4's "Inside Science" programme on Thursday 12th September. She spoke to presenter Adam Rutherford about the history of stem cell research and what the future holds for regenerative medicine.