Tania Pozzo
Interview by
Liliana Carrillo*
Bolivia
Women have played an important part in science,
throughout the history of humanity. Women such as Marie
Curie used to be the exception; today they are the norm
What did you want to be as a child? Do you remember an
experience from your childhood that drew you to science?
When I was a child, I wanted to become a molecular biologist. My
interest in molecular science came about from reading the scientific
journals and science fiction novels my father bought to motivate my
sister and me and keep us abreast of developments in science and
technology.
The most significant experience in my childhood that sparked my
interest in science was when my father, a geologist, would take
my sister and me to his laboratory at the weekends. That was how
we learnt to use a microscope, and we enjoyed spending time
watching my father analyze his samples and explain the biological
changes in Nature. This was how my interest grew into pursuing
a career in science.
*Liliana Valenzuela Carrillo graduated in social communication sciences from the Universidad Católica Boliviana and holds a degree in Latin American literature from the Universidad
Mayor de San Andrés. She is a journalist, editor and writer. She is currently the editor of the
La Paz newspaper Página Siete.
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Why did you decide to study science?
At the end of my degree in biochemistry, I felt I needed to acquire more in-depth
knowledge to understand the molecular mechanisms of various processes applied to
biotechnology. I therefore decided to continue my studies, through a master’s in Bio and
food technology. I believed that those two topics had a promising future to develop new
technologies that would benefit human beings and their environment.
Did any person have a decisive impact on your choice of career?
I could not point out one specific person who guided me through that decision process.
I am fortunate to have had many mentors during the various stages of my life. At the
beginning, my father played an important part, by putting me in contact with Nature
and the laboratory. At high school I became interested in chemistry and biology, at the
American Institute. During my bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, at the Universidad
Mayor de San Andrés, I met professors who were passionate about research and guided
me, such as Dr. Sánchez, a professor in Molecular Biology. The mentors who motivated
me to continue my research career abroad were Dr. Alberto Giménez and Dr. María
Teresa Álvarez. I was awarded a scholarship to study a master’s in Sweden thanks to
the support of Dr. Bo Mattiasson, who is keenly interested in the microbial biodiversity
of Bolivia. Later I had a different type of mentor, more scientific one, such as my PhD
supervisors, Dr. Eva Nordberg-Karlsson and Dr. Toni Planas, who helped me plan
experiments, analyze data and guided me in producing publications.
At the end of my doctorate, I met mentors such as Professor Birte Svensson and Dr. Abou
Hachem, who wrote with me the research proposal that was subsequently subsidized
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by UNESCO and L’Oreal. Writing grants is challenging and time-consuming part; but all
scientists have to face it a way to find resources to carry out their research.
What are the greatest sources of satisfaction in your career?
The greatest satisfaction scientific research gives me is the ability to contribute with new
knowledge that could help to improve processes applied to biotechnology. For example,
during my doctoral studies, I worked on two extremely interesting interdisciplinary
projects that involved developing new technologies to produce chemical compounds,
which minimize the pollution of the environment in a sustainable manner. These
technologies contribute to building and achieving a “green society.”
The first project, called GreenChem, focused on the production of chemical substances,
such as coatings, lubricants and surfactants, through the use of bio-catalyzers (catalysis
using enzymes). This is a beneficial concept, as employing bio-catalyzers is an efficient
method that requires less energy and is more ecologically friendly than conventional
chemical processes, which use large quantities of toxic solvents that are harmful to
human beings and the environment.
The second project, called SureTech, aimed to extract antioxidants, high value
compounds, from renewable raw materials such as agricultural and forestry waste
using environmental friendly processes.
What are the greatest obstacles that you have faced?
The greatest obstacle I have faced, during my scientific training, was the fact that
biotechnology, which is what I wanted to study, is not taught in Bolivia. As a result, I
opted to study biochemistry, to acquire the basic knowledge to pursue a future career
in biotechnology.
I was lucky enough to do my undergrad thesis work at the San Andres University when a
research agreement began between Bolivia and Sweden; the main objective of research
was biodiversity in the Andean extremophile environment. This collaboration enabled
me to contact Professor Bo Mattiasson, who realized I was passionate about scientific
research and supported my application for a scholarship from the Swedish government
to study a master’s in Lund in Sweden.
In your opinion, what is the role of women in science?
Women have played an important part in science throughout the history of humanity.
There have been pioneering women in all areas of science, who have contributed
to improving the quality of life and social progress. Today, women’s participation
in science is much greater than it used to be. Women such as Marie Curie used to be
the exception; today they are the norm. Women’s integration into modern society has
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given it intellectual resources that were previously unexploited. Nowadays, men and
women compete on equal terms and no one appears to object to this. However, traces of
discrimination still remain, for example, the lower amount of salary for a woman who
has the same position of a man.
Do you feel that there are any differences between male and female scientists? If
so, which are they?
It is difficult to generalize specific characteristics of women scientist; particularly
because of there is big difference between cultures. I believe that if a person is a good
scientist, whether if is male or female, the most important thing is to keep working to
achieve their final objective.
Has being a women been an advantage or a disadvantage in your career?
The scientific sphere in where I received most of my training was in Sweden, a modern
society somewhere men and women are considered equal and have the same access to
education and information. Nonetheless, there is still a gender bias, as women receive
a lower salary than men for similar position. Therefore, in my case, I can say that it was
a disadvantage to be a woman, as I am still paid less than a male post-doctoral student,
even in the United States.
How do you perceive the level of science and the role of scientists in Bolivia?
In underdeveloped countries such as Bolivia there is not favorable conditions to carry out
research. One example is a figure provided by the Vice-ministry of Science & Technology
of the Ministry of Education in Bolivia: there are three researchers for every 20,000
inhabitants, 1,479 of whom are devoted to science and technology, whereas the average
for Latin America is 3.5 researchers for every 1,000 inhabitants.
To tackle this situation, first of all you have to address the challenges in education, as this
correlation between scientific and economic backwardness is neither mechanical nor
absolute. This means that purely material difficulties can be overcome, through properly
channeled political and social actions. For example, teachers can be the first mentors who
motivate children to acquire knowledge and learn. More specifically, teachers need to
offer support to ensure the success of their pupils. Implementing laboratory classes could
be a motivating factor, so we need to make scientific education more widely available
in Bolivia, with greater emphasis on increasing financing for education and moral
incentives.
I consider myself fortunate to have met the persons who encouraged me to pursue my
dreams during the early years of my life. I am now a tutor for several students, and I
encourage them to enjoy themselves in science, and underline that if they discover a
passion for it they will never be disappointed.
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The challenge would be to motivate Bolivians to study life sciences, and thus produce
scientists who discover and innovate technologies that could help the country to develop.
How do you balance family life with scientific work?
I do not have children at the moment. However, I divide my time evenly between
domestic and scientific work. The principle that guides my daily life is that both men
and women must fulfil their obligations and rights. In this regard, despite the social
obstacles, the couple must be responsible for domestic tasks, as these are not only
women’s responsibility but also men’s.
What are you working on at the moment? What is your latest scientific passion?
I am currently conducting post-doctoral studies at the plant Sciences department in
University of California Davis. The research studies beneficial symbiosis between plant
and microbes aiming to be further applied in sustainable agriculture. More specific how
a plant polysaccharide secretes “mucilage” by aerial roots of ancient landrace of maize
from Mexico, and how can harbors bacteria that fixes nitrogen from the environment,
growing without expensive fertilizers. My passion for this particular project is
deciphering the molecular mechanism of the communication between microbes and the
plant, so later on this knowledge can be applied to engineer microbes as bio-fertilizers.
12. As a teacher, how do you deal with your teaching responsibilities?
Currently, I am supervising four undergrads in the laboratory. All of them have different
background, so teaching them is quite a challenging. The reward is fostering their interest
in research until they desire to plan their own experiments, and test their own ideas.
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My work focuses on providing and strengthening knowledge through solid scientific
evidence, to support the statements that emerge in their research, and develop techniques
that they can understand and reproduce. I also seek to generate new knowledge to
continue to respond to the project roles. This is a horizontal process, whereby tutors and
trainees carry out analysis and reflection activities on the topics addressed, until they
can produce solid interpretations and explanations to prove their findings.
You have received significant prizes throughout your career
What do these mean to you?
The prizes I have received are reflected in my scholarships. Wherever possible, I have
applied for scholarships, notably to pursue my master’s and travel to conferences when
I was a doctoral student. It was always extremely gratifying to receive them. Yet the
greatest satisfaction was receiving the scholarship awarded by UNESCO and L’Oreal
2014, as it allows me to pursue a career in biotechnological research, directing my
own project. I can thus be autonomous both intellectually—making the best decisions
in order for the project to produce results that generate knowledge—and economically
and administratively, to manage the resources in the best possible way. Also I received
the the Marie Curie 2014 award from the Bolivian Academy of Sciences that recognizes
female scientists.
Moreover, my career as a research scientist will
be reinforced through future collaboration with
researchers from other countries, in which I will
continue to develop my abilities in the laboratory.
It is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about
high technology methods and teams.
How do you envisage your career on the
short and medium term? What is your next
challenge?
Being a scientist in academia is very
economically unstable and stressful. You have
to learn to sell your research to obtain the
position of a researcher affiliated to a university.
In the short term, as part of my post-doctoral
studies, I have to create a résumé that proves
my productivity through publications in highly
regarded journals, with innovative results. In the
medium term, I have the possibility of choosing
between academia and industry. This is the point
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when you decide whether you love science and
academia, or prefer a more stable career in a
company.
My next challenge is to create something large,
new and efficient, such as a biotechnology
company in Bolivia, and thus generate science
and technology in the country.
What advice would you give to female
scientists in Bolivia?
I encourage all the Bolivian women to engaged
in carriers of science and technology, since
despite the adversities of a patriarchal society
that reinforces gender inequalities, they have
managed to overcome significant challenges to
contribute to the development of the country.
It is important for my female scientist colleagues, particularly those working in
universities to promote the creation of future scientific careers in order to be at the same
level of development of science and technology in the rest of the world. This undoubtedly
requires political and financing decisions. To this end, we must seek management
strategies that establish agreements with political decision-making authorities and,
within our jobs, continue to motivate students regarding the new challenges of science
and technology.
Lastly, and though this may seem obvious, the efforts that one makes in studying and
training will pave the way for future success. Gain knowledge, comprehend and discover
is the motto of a real scientist.
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