From frog brains to silk bladders: Thirty years apart, two women scientists share the same spark for research

Fifty years of Deakin University means five impactful decades of groundbreaking research, whether it’s innovating with textiles, shepherding the world through a pandemic, or leading the figurative and literal field in physical activity research.  

Over that time the world has also seen marked changes in gender equity, access and support. Gender disparity continues to pose challenges in a multitude of fields across the world, and while women made up only 33.3% of researchers worldwide as of 2018, it’s an area that continues to show positive progression.  

In Australia particularly, the research landscape continues to mature, opening up more pathways for women to pursue their interests. At Deakin, women make up approximately 57% of the academic staff cohort, with ongoing strategic priorities in place to address the barriers that limit the full participation of women and gender diverse people in the workforce and broader community.  

Women made up only 33.3% of researchers worldwide as of 2018.

So, what was it like to be a young female researcher in the early days of Deakin in comparison to a woman entering the field as a graduate researcher today? 

Professor Janet Mc Leod studied her Bachelor of Science with Honours in Biological Science at Deakin in 1992 before going on to complete her PhD in 1998, and Saumya Saji Kochumoni is currently a joint PhD scholar at Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) and the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad.  

We asked both of them about their experiences as women in research over the years, and we’re proud to share their stories.  

Professor Janet Mc Leod

Associate Head of School (Learning and Teaching) at the Deakin School of Medicine.  

Thinking back to my fellow student cohort at the time, those studying a PhD in chemistry were predominantly men whereas there was more of a mix of men and women undertaking research in biology.  

I had undertaken an honours degree at Deakin mapping neural pathways in the spinal cord specifically to the adrenal gland. I then worked as a research assistant at the University of Melbourne investigating the control of adrenaline and noradrenaline release from the adrenal gland before an opportunity to undertake a PhD with a scholarship at Deakin came up. While the work I had been undertaking was interesting, I was keen to extend my skills and knowledge, and a PhD was the next natural step. 

At the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences (now known as Life and Environmental Sciences), the type of research being undertaken was quite broad. It ranged from moulds such as Phytophthora cinnamomi causing disease in plants, to studies of the legless lizard Delma impar, and the interaction of different brain peptides in the control of adrenaline release and their effects on blood pressure. 

My work involved learning a lot of techniques including immunohistochemistry (a lab technique that uses antibodies to check for antigens in tissue samples) and working with delicate tissue samples to molecular methods and isolating DNA from cells. The research I was undertaking required mapping the anatomical regions of an amphibian and mammalian brain. We didn’t have software that could assist with creating images of amphibian brain anatomy, so I had to hand draw the amphibian brain from what I saw down the microscope.  

One of my thesis examiners was an international expert in lower vertebrate fluid and electrolyte homeostasis and commented that my thesis was the most comprehensive summary of the evidence known at that time in the field. It was an amazing recognition of my hard work.  

I think my proudest achievement was actually completing my PhD. There were times when I doubted whether I would be able to complete the work but the moment that you hand in your thesis and then eventually receive your testamur at graduation is a very rewarding experience.  

I believe there is a lot more support for women in research now but there’s still a long way to go. I think there’s less stigma around the research areas that women engage in currently.  

There’s always the challenge for young female researchers who are building a research trajectory and have an interruption due to having a family. While there are supports in place for return to work, and recognition of achievement relative to opportunity, I suspect there is a high proportion of women whose research aspirations are influenced by competing interests between family and the level of commitment required to be competitive and successful.  

There should be more discussion and thinking around how to support women with young families over the long-term. There needs to be some accommodation to either support them with resourcing to maintain their research capacity, or even to reduce expectations around qualifying for research funding for those with children in the primary school years at least, not just in the first year or two of their return to work.  

In the next 50 years at Deakin, I hope to see recognition of not only the highflyers undertaking amazing research, but opportunities and new ways of working for the many talented women with young families who can do great things if supported holistically. 

To women considering research, I say follow what interests and excites you – there are plenty of questions still unanswered! Make sure you find support that can help you succeed, seek out mentors and likeminded colleagues from a range of levels and areas.  

Saumya Saji Kochumoni 

Currently undertaking a PhD at Deakin ’s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) and the Indian Institutes of Technology Hyderabad (IITH).  

I am a joint doctoral PhD scholar specialising in biomedical engineering and biomaterials. My research focuses on developing advanced solutions for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, particularly through silk- and collagen-based hydrogels.  

My passion for science was sparked by the inspiration of my science teacher in school. Her teaching ignited a deep fascination with the subject, to the point where I would spend time in the science lab even during sports periods. My dedication earned me the playful nickname ‘the key to the science lab’ from my classmates.  

This early curiosity laid the foundation for my desire to pursue a career in science, driven by wanting to understand how things work at a fundamental level. 

I work at the intersection of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, where innovation isn’t just theoretical, it’s tangible. Through silk- and collagen-based hydrogels, I aim to develop functional, biocompatible scaffolds for urinary bladder reconstruction, helping patients recover from conditions that once had limited treatment options. 

This work carries real promise in addressing critical medical challenges, such as the global organ donor shortage, by offering bioengineered alternatives that are customised to each patient. 

The most exciting part of my research is its potential to transform lives. Every day in the lab feels like a step closer to redefining the future of healthcare. The idea that a biomaterial I develop today could one day be used to 3D bioprint a functional organ patch or offer a personalised treatment solution is both humbling and exhilarating.  

I deeply admire women who not only pursue cutting-edge research but also balance it with family responsibilities. Their ability to multitask, stay passionate, and deliver outstanding contributions to science is incredibly inspiring to me.  

One such example is Dr May-Britt Moser, a Nobel Prize–winning neuroscientist and mother, who made groundbreaking discoveries in brain function while raising a family. Her story is a powerful reminder that women can excel in both science and family life with the right support and determination. These women show the strength, resilience, and dedication it takes to lead in both worlds, and I truly look up to them. 

I have faced several challenges along the way, especially growing up in a place where pursuing biotechnology or scientific research wasn’t seen as a ‘suitable’ path for women. There were societal expectations that discouraged me from dreaming big, and I was often told that research was too demanding for a girl.  

I fought hard to convince my parents, left home, and moved across states to chase a dream no one else could see but me. The path wasn’t easy, I faced isolation, self-doubt and moments of deep resistance. But my passion for science was louder than the voices telling me I couldn’t. It wasn’t until COVID-19 that people around me truly understood the importance of research, and I finally gained the respect I had fought for. 

While some of my male colleagues have faced academic and professional challenges too, they often haven’t had to fight the same societal norms or expectations that women do, especially around mobility, independence or long-term career ambitions. They weren’t asked to explain their ambitions or justify their freedom to pursue them.  

That’s where the real gap lies, not just in access, but in belief.  

But I believe we are slowly shifting the narrative. With every paper published, every breakthrough made and every voice raised, we’re paving the way for the next generation. 

The best support we can offer female researchers is to stop questioning their capabilities. Often, when we emphasise ‘more opportunities for women’ or ‘gender equality’, we unknowingly create the illusion that women are less capable and need help catching up. What we truly need is a culture that treats women as equals, not just in words, but in action. Equal responsibilities, equal opportunities, equal trust. 

Fifty years from now, I hope to see women thriving in research, not as an exception, but as the norm. I envision a future where every woman who dreams of a career in science boldly follows her passion without fear or hesitation, because the barriers that once held us back no longer exist. 

Thanks to the empowering environment and forward-thinking curriculum at Deakin, many of us already feel a strong sense of identity, purpose, and confidence. I hope that continues to grow, because when women are given the right tools and trust, they don’t just participate in science, they lead it. 

Learn more about Deakin Research and fascinating researchers behind the projects. 

‘When women are given the right tools and trust, they don’t just participate in science, they lead it,’ Saumya says.