Santander (EFE).- The researcher and neurobiologist Mara Dierssen claims science for its impact because “behind the tubes there are people” and defends that, although it is more difficult for women to reach leadership positions, “you can have everything” , making a scientific career compatible with family life.
Dierssen (Santander, 1961) has received the Emboque de Oro with which the Casa de Cantabria in Madrid distinguishes illustrious Cantabrians for their achievements and trajectory, a recognition that he is grateful for and sees as “a statement in favor of knowledge and science”.
Science is “the engine of the future” and for this reason, in an interview with EFE, Dierssen called for the necessary changes and greater support for the scientific and research system “to be solid enough” and “to go beyond political whims and vicissitudes” .
The objective must be that the funds for science do not depend on the decisions of the parties. “It has to transcend that, science is not short-sighted, science needs time, you cannot depend on political will,” he insists.
The ‘downside’ that this researcher sees is that in Spain “we have always lived a little with our backs to science” despite the fact that steps have been taken “that give the sensation” of greater support although “later, on a day-to-day basis , it isn’t true”.
As he states, the strength to continue advancing is found by scientists “in that thirst for knowledge” that continues.
“I have always said and I will say that there are people behind the tubes, and for me the greatest satisfaction of a scientist is that their discoveries later have a social impact and that they really help people”, he emphasizes.
It is also committed to reconsidering how young people are educated so that “learning is not torture” but “that is appealing and motivating”, and in this way encourage critical thinking and a scientific vocation.
Leaderships
Starting a scientific career is not easy, especially as a woman, although Dierssen assures that she never thought of ‘throwing in the towel’ because she sees herself as “a born fighter” and has faced each obstacle as an “incitement”.
“For me, each problem and each difficulty has made me stand up and say, come on, I’m going for it,” he points out, before pointing out that in the beginning “things were even more polarized and science was fundamentally masculine.”
Women, it is widely reported, have a very difficult time reaching leadership positions, both in science and in any other field. “We have limitations that are almost inherent in our culture. From the outset, it is already considered that a woman is not a good leader, ”she laments.
But his message is different, and the first thing he conveys is that “one has to believe it.” “We all have the impostor syndrome, when you are there it seems that you have not earned it, that you do not deserve it or that you are not useful and it is not like that,” she says, but before recommending to every woman that, wherever she goes, she does it prepared and having studied everything.
Dierssen is convinced that “you can have everything”, in her case a family with a husband and four children combined with an outstanding scientific career.
What she has given up is “to sleep” or “not having so much time for herself”, but it all “depends”.
“Because if you like what you do, if your work fills you up, you are not giving up anything. We have not given up much, we have gone on a trip with the kids, we have gotten involved in solidarity things, we have done everything… ”, she says.
