Inspiring Female Scientists in Malta

1. Maltese Scientists By Julianne Marie Vella Grade 5 Alpha

2. Introduction • When it comes to the topic of women in science, Marie Curie usually dominates the conversation. After all, she discovered two elements, was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, in 1903, and was the first person to win a second Nobel, in 1911. However, Curie is not the only female scientist worth knowing about. Many other brilliant, dedicated and determined women have pursued science over the years.

3. In Malta there are femalescientists who should be famous for their groundbreaking, insightful and novel contributions to science.

4. Dr. Rena Balzan • Dr. Rena Balzan graduated in Pharmacy at the University of Malta. • She specialised in Genetics at the State University of Milan, Italy and read for her Ph.D. in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology at Cranfield University • She is carrying out research work on the Molecular Genetics of Yeast and on Protein Mitochondrial Targeting.

5. Dr. Carmen Mifsud – The Marine Biologist • Dr. Carmen Mifsud specialised in Marine Biodiversity and is a Senior Environment Protection Officer at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. • She is responsible for the setting up of conservation measures for marine turtles, marine vegetation, cetaceans, cerna and other protected marine biodiversity. • In the future she hopes to get more involved in the “rehabilitation” centre in Malta and be able to set up better standards and better conditions for the turtles there. • She also wishes to establish a better system for local fishermen not to catch so many turtles incidentally and hopefully introduce the use of circular hooks or other good methods which lessen the bycatch of turtles. • She would like to discover migration routes that may exist around the Maltese Islands, in order to protect these habitats and consequentially to better protect our turtles.

6. Dr. Adriana Vella – The Conservation Biologist • Dr. Adriana Vella, PH.D. (Cambridge) is a conservation biologist well known for her scientific and passionate interest in wildlife and nature.She has dedicated many years to research on marine species in particular. Among the most well known projects is her dolphin and whale research which is known locally as well as abroad as having been a pioneering project for this central-southern part of the Mediterranean. • She has also developed other interesting marine projects on Blue fin tuna, sharks and rays, dusky groupers and turtles. She is a full-time and keen researcher at the University of Malta.Her family, life and nature have given her the inspiration and encouragement to live life to the full keeping in mind the need to treasure nature for children.

7. Dr. Janet Mifsud – The Epilepsy Researcher • Dr. Janet Mifsud is a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology at the University of Malta. • Her research activities lie in the areas of pharmacokinetics, drug analysis and drug development and she has introduced the teaching of epilepsy to several undergraduate courses in Malta. • Her present research includes the treatment of epilepsy in Malta and newer antiepileptic drugs.

8.  Profs. Marie Therese Camilleri-Podesta – Professor of Anatomy • “I wish to encourage young girls to follow their dream and believe in themselves that they too can achieve their goal, if they try hard enough”. • Professor Marie Therese Camilleri-Podesta graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Malta in 1969.She was appointed research assistant at the University of Malta in 1971 and completed her Ph.D. at Guy’s Hospital, London in 1979. • Professor Camilleri was the first female to be appointed full time professor and head of Department in 1981.She has headed the department of Anatomy several times and has also been acting head of the Department of Physiology and Biochemistry in the past. She is responsible for the teaching of anatomy to medical and dental students as well as to paramedical students.

9. She has collaborated with the Department of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Malta and with the Department of Pathology to carry out in vitro testing on human cancer cells. • Professor Camilleri is also appointed by the Maltese Law courts to carry out medico-legal post-mortem examinations. In addition, she is a member of the Council of Health. • “My father used to tell me that he was like a cork floating on water which would bob back to the surface every time it is pushed down. I always found this analogy very useful because we all experience various setbacks in our lifetime and need the resilience to rise again and keep going if one is to succeed.”