International Day of Women and Girls in Science, held each year on February 11th, shines a light on the vital role women play in scientific discovery and innovation. The day is a global reminder that diverse perspectives are not only a matter of equity, but essential for scientific progress.
Today, we are pleased to speak with Professor Barbara Pierscionek, Deputy Dean (Research and Innovation) at Anglia Ruskin University and programme mentor. Her journey, shaped by curiosity, resilience, and lifelong learning, offers valuable insight for aspiring scientists and innovators.
Welcome Barbara tell us a little about yourself and your background
I was born in London to Polish parents, raised in a family that deeply valued learning and culture, reading avidly in Polish and in English. A major turning point came when we emigrated to Australia towards the end of my primary school years. Immersed in a new education system, I encountered a more demanding curriculum, one that challenged and helped shape my academic success.
Among the highest-scoring mathematics students in the State of Victoria, I earned a place at Melbourne University, an institution known for its rigorous entry standards. I later undertook an interdisciplinary PhD across two faculties, Medicine and Science, becoming one of the first scholars to do so. My thesis focused on the structure and function of the eye lens, combining biochemistry and optics. During this time, I also balanced major personal milestones, including marriage and the birth of my son.
Following my doctorate, I was awarded a National Health and Medical Research Fellowship, the youngest person in the history of Australian academia at that time, marking the start of my journey as an independent researcher. Returning to the UK in 1997, I have continued my work in eye and vision science ever since, always supported by external funding, Research Councils, EU, industry and charities, alongside gaining qualifications in business (MBA) and law (LLB equivalent and LLM in cybercrime), teaching legal as well as scientific subjects, and conducting a wide portfolio of research in science and law/ethics.
What first sparked your interest in science? Were there any women who inspired that journey?
As a child of eight, I read the biography of Maria Skłodowska-Curie, who to me is still one of the greatest scientists, if not the greatest scientist, in the world. She was Polish, lived outside her country (as Poland did not officially exist at that time), and had an unwavering passion for physics, chemistry and learning. I shared these experiences and from that moment, I wanted to be a scientist. Maria Skłodowska-Curie was, and remains, my inspiration.
Why the eye? Harder to answer as science is so broad but most likely a fascination with colour and the way we see the world, the importance of the sense of sight, and the fact that the eye and the study of it requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Tell us more about your research and how it could make a difference?
My research focuses on the optical, biological and biomechanical properties of the eye, with particular emphasis on the anterior eye. This work is crucial for understanding how images are presented to the retina at the back of the eye and to the higher order processes in the brain enabling sight. My research is also investigating the development of the eye lens from embryonic to adult in a range of species. Notably, we are the first team in the world to have measured the optics of the eye from the earliest developmental stages currently possible.
Current projects include the development of anti-cataract drugs and novel methods for growing retinal cells for transplantation, research that has the potential to transform treatments for vision loss.
Do you have a message for the next generation of scientists?
It would not be a scientific journey without challenges and struggles, whether it’s obtaining grant funding, repeating experiments due to unpredictable obstacles, or meeting deadlines. But these obstacles are not setbacks; they are the very experiences that shape discovery and deepen our understanding.
For me, the biggest challenge has been staying true to my original research focus: the eye lens and optics. I began wanting to find an effective treatment for cataract, a very popular area of research at the time. However, with the advent of new technologies and development of new implant lenses, research into alternative treatment approaches expanded, and scientific interest in the lens declined sharply, along with funding. Despite this, I persevered, and there has now been a renewed interest in this area.
My message is simple: Never give up if you have the passion and curiosity to continue the research journey.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science – What It’s About?
International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated every year on February 11th. It was established by the United Nations to recognise the critical role women and girls play in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The day aims to promote gender equality in science, highlight achievements of women scientists and their contributions to innovation and discovery, and address barriers that prevent women from entering or advancing in scientific careers.