kate storey nominated by marysia placzek
When Kate was 13 years old, her science teacher showed her the lifecycle of a frog. She was amazed by the incredible changes that develop from a single cell. It seemed an extraordinary process, so reproducible, with each egg making a complete frog in the end. Biology and science made sense to her at an age when the world does not always make sense. Since then, according to Marysia Placzek, who’s passing on the heirloom, “Kate has made a series of seminal contributions to our understanding of developmental mechanisms. For twenty years her work has been a major influence to the field and a source of inspiration to many developmental and stem cell biologists.” Kate now heads the Division of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Dundee. Her work focuses on understanding how the spinal cord develops. Recently she has pioneered real-time imaging techniques that allow her to identify new cell biological and molecular mechanisms regulating the generation of neurons. “These beautiful studies attest further to her creativity and insightfulness,” adds Marysia. I ask Kate about the proportion of women
salary or acquiring more space. Those who are
and men where she works. “In the Division of
less confident, or whose style is not to make
Cell and Developmental Biology there are five
demands, tend to get overlooked.”
female and five male principal investigators.
But surely this is a problem for both men and
This is unusual for basic science departments
women? “I think rewards like this play to the
around the world and also in the University of
differences between the sexes to some extent.
Dundee College of Life Sciences, where women
Women are often more modest about what they
make up only 11 per cent of group leaders.”
do and how they perceive themselves; men are
Does she think the participation of women
more willing to put themselves forward.”
in science is improving? “Yes, but there are some mechanisms that could help to advance
Women Request Less Funding
the situation. For example, knowing how the
Some evidence supporting this came up when
promotion process works is important for
Kate attended the MRC’s Neuroscience and
career progression. Although guidelines are
Mental Health Board, where current statistics
in place in universities, the impression can
comparing men and women’s funding across
be that those who shout the loudest tend to
the MRC were presented. Although success
do better in being promoted, increasing their
rates for programme grants for men and
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