“Trailblazing Women in STEM: Tracing the Evolution and Future Potential of the Nutraceutical Sector”

In my sophomore year of high school, science was far from my first love. As a rising star in synchronized swimming, my dreams were set on the grandeur of the Olympics and less on concepts like eukaryotic cells and mitochondria.

However, my disdain for science underwent a drastic transformation. When a new teacher by the name of Ms. Nira Hermoni stepped into our biology class, my perspective was forever altered. Out of nowhere, the subject I once dreaded became my most anticipated class. Initially mundane topics, such as mitochondria, soon unveiled their incredible beauty and intricacy. I began understanding their relevance to my personal life and swimming aspirations, even contemplating ways to boost my ATP levels for better performance in the pool. Seeing biology through the lens of Ms. Hermoni was a vivid and immersive journey.

While the Olympics remained an unrealized dream, my newfound love for science steered me towards securing a PhD in molecular nutrition and carving a fulfilling career in the nutraceutical industry. Interestingly, the woman to whom I owe my epiphany about science, Ms. Hermoni, eventually became my mother-in-law; continuing to inspire me not just as a role model but also on a personal level.

The spark that ignited my love for science was stoked when my 13-year-old daughter returned home one day expressing her dislike for the very subject that had become my passion. I dove into action, leveraging the power of scientific storytelling. Our dinner table was transformed into a biology class, with sweet potato soup representing cytoplasm, a bowl morphing into the cell membrane and various vegetables symbolizing different cellular organelles.

I watched as my daughter’s initial disinterest and confusion gave way to profound curiosity and excitement. When she marveled at my innovative teaching method and inquired about its origin, I joyously shared that I had learned from the master—her grandmother.

This experience brought home the significance of engaging young girls early on, to ignite their interest and bolster their confidence in STEM disciplines. Such early investments are key, not only to create a future stream of talented women in STEM but also to ensure a world in which diversity and innovation flourish.