This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the women driving progress in hearing research. Meet four researchers who are helping shape the future of the field through our funded projects.
Carmen Unzu
Carmen is a group leader at CIMA-University of Navarra in Spain and is investigating gene editing as a treatment for hearing loss.
What would surprise people about a career as a female researcher?
That representation matters. Several years ago, most researchers were male. Nowadays, women’s representation in life sciences is at parity thanks to lead female researchers who have paved the way for us.
What book, film, or podcast by a woman has inspired you recently?
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell. Maggie is an inspiring writer with exceptional descriptive talent and a remarkable ability to forge a deep connection between the reader and her characters.
What advice would you give to women starting in science today?
Keep curious, don’t leave any questions unasked, and always think creatively.
Eleanor Brown
Eleanor is completing her PhD at the UCL Ear Institute, where she is investigating sensory loss in Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) – a rare disorder that causes tumours on the auditory nerves and can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus and balance problems.
What motivated you to become a researcher?
For me, research is a chance to contribute something real. I’m motivated by the idea that what we learn can eventually make life better for the people affected by this condition.
What would surprise people about a career as a female researcher?
Honestly, people might be surprised by how normal it feels. There are so many women in research now that it never feels unusual – you’re just part of a community of people who love asking questions and solving problems.
What book, film, or podcast by a woman has inspired you recently?
I’ve recently been reading Margaret Atwood’s ‘Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts’. Her mix of intelligence, humour, and clear‑eyed curiosity is something I’ve always loved, and it continues to inspire me.
Xena Liu
At UCL Ear Institute, Xena Liu is completing her PhD, studying whether microsaccades (rapid, unconscious eye movements) can be used to measure listening effort and attention in people with hearing loss.
What motivated you to become a researcher?
To understand more about the human brain. More specifically, in our field, what motivates me most is how advancements in research are getting translated into treatments and devices (e.g. neuroprosthetics) that can really benefit people’s everyday hearing and communication experiences.
I am also very lucky to have had inspiring and supportive mentors who have encouraged and guided me throughout my journey into becoming a researcher.
What book, film, or podcast by a woman has inspired you recently?
I recently read Sally Rooney’s Conversations with Friends and was struck by how natural but sharply and precisely she captures the complexities of ambition, vulnerability, and growth, especially through the characters’ unvoiced inner dialogues.
Kelly Lo
Kelly Lo is completing her PhD at University College London, where she is exploring the mechanisms underlying different types of hearing loss, including damage caused by loud noise exposure and ageing.
What would surprise people about a career as a female researcher?
Many people may not realise how much long-term dedication and resilience a research career requires.
What has surprised me most is the level of commitment demonstrated by many successful female researchers, who often balance demanding scientific careers alongside significant family and caregiving responsibilities. Their ability to lead research projects, mentor students, secure funding, and maintain personal responsibilities is remarkable. It highlights not only scientific excellence, but also adaptability, discipline, and strength.
What book, film, or podcast by a woman has inspired you recently?
Although not from a specific book, film, or podcast, I have long been inspired by Rosalind Franklin. Her work was fundamental to uncovering the structure of DNA.
Over a career spanning just 15 years, she published 45 papers across structural chemistry, DNA, and viruses, which was an extraordinary scientific output. She achieved this while navigating significant gender bias in academia.
Her story is a powerful reminder that rigorous science, resilience, and integrity matter deeply, even when recognition is delayed. Franklin’s legacy continues to inspire women in science to pursue excellence with determination and courage.
What advice would you give to women starting out in science today?
Do not let others define your limits, especially if they do not truly understand your goals or what drives you.
Throughout my studies and career, I have received a lot of advice, some constructive and helpful, some less so. Learning to be discerning and distinguish between the two is important. Only you fully understand your journey and the challenges you have overcome.
Seek mentors who support both your scientific growth and personal wellbeing. Most importantly, do not internalise mistakes as personal failures. Science is advanced through trial, refinement, and persistence. This is how I draw inspiration to not give up.
Marcela Lipovsek
Marcela Lipovsek graduated in Biological Sciences at the University of Buenos Aires and after her PhD, moved to the MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology at King’s College London.
What would surprise people about a career as a female researcher?
That you are not alone! For the early career stages, women match or outnumber men, reflecting the great progress made in the last few decades. This is, however, discipline-specific, and women are still under-represented in the more senior positions. So there is still more to be done.
What advice would you give to women starting out in science today?
Make sure you are enjoying what you are doing at every time. Problems and challenges will hit you, and it’s virtually impossible to predict what those would be. Facing them, getting the right support and mentoring – it all goes way better if you are doing what you love. But most importantly, research should be fun, interesting and rewarding!
Sadly, you may still encounter instances of old-school misogyny and mansplaining… but culture is changing. There are loads of mentoring and training opportunities aimed at women’s career progression. At the UCL Ear Institute, I see first-hand how women-led initiatives exemplify positive change. Lean on this cultural change and trust it.
What book, film, or podcast by a woman has inspired you recently?
I often enjoy the columns in the Guardian by University of Edinburgh’s Chair of Public Health, Prof Devi Shridhar.
I find her straightforward, evidence-based stance on numerous public health issues very insightful. Her simple explanations, with an emphasis on engaging the public with reliable information, are inspiring and an excellent example on the societal importance of maintaining fluent communication between researchers and the general public.
