International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Research, Diversity, and AI

Feb. 11, 2025 was the 10^th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Pharmaceutical Technology® sat down with Jean Redmond, Chief Operating Officer at Biologit, to talk about the importance of diversity in research, the unique role women play in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), and what can be done to enrich programs to encourage girls to pursue jobs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

PharmTech: AI is a fast-growing technology in the pharmaceutical industry. Are there unique and specific skills and/or viewpoints women in STEM jobs bring to this area?

Redmond: I believe AI is set to transform the pharmaceutical industry, and this is already taking place in many real-life use cases. Women in STEM need to be intimately involved in the development and deployment of AI to ensure it is built ethically and representatively and in a fit-for-purpose way for problems that affect women.

Whilst AI is hugely powerful and set to transform the industry, it needs to be understood as a tool first and not a solution out of context. Women in STEM need to provide their input to understand the unique problems and ensure appropriate and impactful application. For example, AI and automation is set to transform the landscape of clinical trials, an area in which women have been historically underrepresented. There is huge scope and opportunity here for women to play a key part in.

In addition, it has long been known that data bias exists in research, and it is important that AI models that may impact healthcare are trained on relevant and diverse datasets. In addition to gender diversity, it is also important to consider racial and age diversity and different stages of life, and ensuring the datasets are comprehensive and representative. Women can play a role in advocating for the ethical development of AI.

PharmTech: How can access to grants for women scientists and to jobs for women working in STEM fields be increased and/or nurtured?

Redmond: Increasing access to grants and job opportunities for women in STEM requires a multi-faceted approach that includes financial support, mentorship, and cultural shifts.

Dedicated funding or grants to support paid industry placements for students, or further education opportunities for women, can increase access to roles in STEM. More financial aid and early exposure to STEM careers through internships can encourage long-term participation. In particular for women, a focus on supporting a return to work following maternity leave is a crucial area where women can benefit from support in their careers.

Mentorship plays a key role, and many companies have established internal or external mentorship programs. Professional networks play a key role. I have personally benefitted from the incredible network of women from the IQVIA WIN ERG that has lasted over many years, and engaging in these groups can lead to many opportunities such as exposure to networking events, conferences, collaboration and job opportunities.

Finally, increasing visibility of successful women in STEM provides role models and helps shift industry norms. Providing remote work, flexible hours, and parental leave options helps retain women in STEM careers.

About the speaker

Jean Redmond, Chief Operating Officer at Biologit

Jean Redmond is Chief Operating Officer at Biologit, a technology company revolutionizing literature monitoring for pharmacovigilance. At Biologit, Redmond oversees operations and lead strategic growth initiatives, leveraging her background in general management, strategy, operations, and scientific research.