Women In Science feat. Meredith Carpenter

In this blog we bring insights from Meredith Carpenter, PhD, Head of Scientific Affairs at Quantum-Si, who are on a mission to put the groundbreaking power of protein sequencing in the hands of every scientist – every lab, everywhere. With a background in molecular and cell biology from UC Berkeley and Stanford, she has over a decade of experience developing cutting-edge molecular biology tools. 

Here, she discusses her journey as a woman in science, addressing the challenges of being a female leader in a male-dominated industry, and the importance of networking and mentorship. She also shares her thoughts on how to create more inclusive opportunities for women in science and offers advice to the next generation.

Could you please introduce yourself as well as your background?

I am a molecular/cell biologist by training, and I have been in the biotech industry for the past ~10 years. Beginning with my doctoral work at UC Berkeley and into my postdoctoral work at Stanford, I have been drawn to developing and deploying novel molecular biology and multi-omics tools to help surmount technological barriers. I began my career leading an R&D team, then later transitioned to a commercial role leading strategic alliances. I am currently Head of Scientific Affairs at Quantum-Si, where I lead external collaborations and publication strategy.  I live in Atlanta with my husband (also a scientist) and our 11-year-old son.

Have you faced any challenges or barriers as a woman in science, and how did you overcome these?

I think the biggest challenge I have faced is the small number of women in leadership positions, particularly in industry. I have been in situations where I was the only female leader in the room, and it can make you feel like an outsider or like you don’t belong. Overcoming this is hard for a single person, but I have always reminded myself that I deserve to be in that room, and that my ideas and contributions are equally valuable to those of the men. I have also actively sought out positions in which I work with other strong female leaders, as we can both learn from and support each other.

How do you feel gender influences opportunities within the science sector?

I think gender influences opportunities in science in numerous ways. One of the most well-known is the unequal burden of childbearing and childcare, which tends to fall on women and can impact career opportunities both in science and elsewhere. Another is the stereotype that women are less suited for certain scientific fields (for example, math or physics). However, I think there are also more nuanced influences related to networking – for example, men tend to be selected more frequently for positions on advisory boards or leadership roles because they are networked with others (typically men) at a company.  All these factors contribute to the lack of women in many scientific fields overall, as well as in more visible leadership positions.

Are there any changes that you would implement in the educational sector to make the field of science more attractive to women as a career path?

Most of the challenges of keeping women in science careers relate to the societal and systemic factors I previously mentioned, such as access to childcare. However, with regard to education, I think exposure to successful women in traditionally male scientific fields could help dismantle the stereotypes that might drive women to pursue alternative paths. In addition, scholarships and other financial support for women who choose to enter these fields could help offset the costs of childcare, etc. that might otherwise cause them to exit the workforce or choose an alternative career.

What would you say has been the best advice you have received during your career as a woman working in your role?

Don’t be afraid to network! A strong network can help give women access to many of the insider career benefits that have previously been available primarily to men.

What advice would you like to pass on to the next gen of women in science?

In addition to the networking advice, I would encourage them to seek out mentors (of all genders!) in your chosen field who can help support and guide you along your career path. My mentors have been invaluable to me in getting me to where I am, and I am now working to pay it forward with younger women in science that I know.

If you’re inspired by the stories and wisdom shared in our ‘Women In Science’ series and would like to contribute your own experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Women in Science at all levels, please email Katie and your story could be the next we feature.