Babita Paudel travels to Nepal to collect soil samples in height areas such as Annaburna and running workshops for professional development of scientists.Credit
During a doctorate at the Korea Institute of Anti -Research in Inchon, South Korea, biochemistry has studied Babita Bodel, antioxidant compounds of latence and algae that flourish in Antarctica. Upon returning to her homeland, Nepal, she turned into the study of molecules produced by high -height microbes and medicinal plants there. She participated in the founding of the Center for Natural and Applied Sciences (Cenas) in Kathmandu, where groups of bacteria are studied called Actinomitite, known as the production of vehicles with antimicrobial activity. To isolate these bacteria, its team collected soil samples from harsh environments, including the basic camps in Mount Everst and Annapurna, in search of possible products to combat the causes of multiple drug -resistant diseases.
Besides its research, Paudel is making efforts to enhance the numbers of women in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Nepal. With the support of the Alexander von Humoult Foundation in Germany, its women are traveling on the STEM team in Nepal throughout the country to conduct training training for early and medium women. The team organizes sessions on academic writing, CVS construction, professional networks and writing proposals grants. In addition, I created Nepal Women in the Nepal STEM databaseList about 650 researchers. The initiative linked about 3,200 women interested in STEM professions. Bodel spoke to nature About what inspired it to take the reins of this project in the country.
What is the great passion that pushed you as a scientist?
What drives me to help students with prosperity at my Ugandan university
It was not a unique event. From the start, my passion was supported by a strong support for the family. My father was a general secondary school. I was a bright student, and I encouraged good degrees of my family to support my educational educational. At that time, only a small number of female students chose science materials. There were very few female professors who teach STEM courses, but seeing their commitment – despite the main responsibilities of the family that Nepalese society puts on women – inspired me to continue my career as a science.
Who was your biggest influence or guide, and why?
I was lucky because my husband had a great influence and teacher. We both researchers in biochemistry, and I enabled me to support my career despite the responsibilities of raising our children.
When did you realize that you want to treat gender inequality in science?
In 2021, while participating in an event organized by the German Academic Society, a graduate body, I was asked to make a presentation on the situation of women in science in Nepal. It took me a month to prepare this presentation because there was no suitable database for scientists. I had to review the data accurately from a governmental body, the university scholarship committee, and visit the home pages for both Nepal universities to collect information. The 2010 statistic of the United Nations Cultural Organization in UNESCO was particularly horrific: women included only 7.9 % of STEM workforce in Nepal, a percentage that was among the lowest rates in Asia. I realized the urgent need to do something about this.
Are there other surprises that came out of your work?
In Nepal, there is a great variation for women in STEM due to various social standards such as childcare responsibilities and childcare responsibilities, the lack of female friendly policies in the workplace, and insufficient capacity building, inspiration and motivation activities.
I found that most Nepaliat women in STEM tend to marry after the completion of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. This often leads to an academic break, often leads to a great loss of confidence, which contributes to the antichrist syndrome. I did not realize the spread of this problem until I started traveling to the country and hearing the stories of women.
Also, Nepalese society is still parental, and there are still many discussions in scientific conferences that tend to exclude female experiences. I was surprised by this inequality. Women are expected to sacrifice more than others, not only for their families, but also academic. Even women who hold advanced certificates often find themselves limited to the functions of novice and sometimes limited lectures in universities, with some opportunities for more promotion.
How is your initiative trying to address these variations?
I am a Palestinian scientist who builds a more comprehensive future
We build the ability to requests in STEM professions and create networks of researchers. In 2022 and 2023, we organized 10 capacity building activities in 7 provinces in Nepal, involved 421 researchers in workshops on professional communication, how to explore job opportunities and study, prepare a CV, write suggestions and impersonate research. In addition, we hosted ten seminars online and published a comprehensive database for national and international financing agencies, scholarships and fellowships on Cenas.
We also created a Facebook group for communication, and publishing information about scholarships, financing agencies and opportunities. The group has more than 4000 members. In 2022 and 2023, we also provided travel grants to 25 students and researchers early to participate in their research in national and international conferences throughout Nepal.