On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Research Luxembourg returns with a third season of the video series Women [& Girls] in Science, in collaboration with the Ministère de l‘Égalité des genres et de la Diversité. Over the coming weeks, several videos will highlight the stories of six women in science in Luxembourg, giving you a glimpse of what different science journeys can look like. Today, let’s start with Gabriela Retamales, doctoral researcher at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB).
From Chile to Luxembourg
“How did I get here? That is a very good question. Life gives you many opportunities, and you must be brave enough to take them,” says Gabriela Retamales, who is currently working on her PhD project in the Systems Control group at the LCSB. She comes from Chile, where she did her undergrad in Biotechnology Engineering, and is now using mathematical models to try to explain how genes interact with each other inside a cell. “Seeing biology from an engineering perspective and trying to solve its puzzles challenges me every day,” she explains. “Biology gives you many “AHA” moments, that is why science is my passion.”
A unique blend
Gabriela Retamales is not only a scientist and a PhD student she is also a mom, a friend and a hockey player: quite the unique combination! Have a look at the video to discover her story and hear her message to every girl: “Don’t ever stay quiet. Don’t try to behave like a boy. Be different. Trust yourself and your intuition. Don’t be afraid. Be brave!”
‟ Don’t ever stay quiet. Don’t try to behave like a boy. Be different. Trust yourself and your intuition. Don’t be afraid. Be brave!”
Doctoral researcher