EMHS leaders breaking barriers for women in science

Today, February 11, we celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science, recognising the critical contributions women make across science, health, technology and research – and the work still required to ensure these spaces are inclusive, equitable and accessible to all.

This year’s theme – “Synergising AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls” – highlights the power of synergy. When artificial intelligence, social science, STEM and finance come together, they can dismantle long-standing barriers by closing gender gaps and creating space, embedded in inclusion.

While science and innovation are powerful forces for good, it’s no secret that being a woman in these areas can still be challenging. Gender bias, under-representation in leadership and invisible labour remain real issues.

But change is happening, and it’s being driven by women who are leading, advocating for and opening doors for the next generation here at the East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS).

Women like EMHS Director of Innovation and Research Sharon Humphris and EMHS A/Prof. Senior Biomedical Engineer Moreica Pabbruwe – alongside many other inspiring female leaders – are helping to reshape what leadership and innovation in science and research look like.

This week, EMHS sat down with Sharon and Moreica for a Q&A, to learn more about their journey, work and advice for women and girls considering a career in science.

SH:I’m the Director of Innovation and Research at EMHS. I work with an amazing team, which facilitates innovation and supports and manages research across EMHS.

I’ve been working on the business side of science for almost my entire career, across research organisations, spin-out companies, universities and the public sector. 

MP:  I’m a Biomedical Engineer, specialising in retrieval analysis, and I’ve been working in this field for about 30 years. My role focuses on understanding how medical devices perform inside the body by analysing implants that have been removed from patients.

I work closely with clinicians, researchers and engineers to investigate why devices succeed or fail, how materials behave over time and what these 'real-world' findings mean for improving patient care. Retrieval analysis allows me to combine hands-on research with practical health outcomes, translating what we learn into safer designs and better-informed decisions for future patients.

SH: I’m motivated by ensuring the care we deliver at EMHS is based on the best available evidence. It’s also important to me that our patients have opportunities to participate in clinical trials and research projects that help to build knowledge and improve quality of life.

I’ve also experienced the health system as a carer for family members with chronic conditions, and there is still so much to learn and improve on, in how we deliver care.

MP: My research focuses on understanding how medical devices behave inside the body, particularly when they fail. Failure is rarely due to a single cause. It usually involves a combination of patient factors, surgical technique and the device – or material – itself.

By analysing retrieved implants, we can identify patterns and determine whether certain devices are less suitable for specific patient groups – such as younger, heavier or more active patients. This helps clinicians to match patients with devices that are more likely to perform well for their individual needs, and allows underperforming devices to be identified earlier.

Ultimately, this leads to safer devices, fewer revision surgeries and better long-term outcomes – a practical example of what personalised medicine should look like.
 

SH: I had a fantastic Human Biology teacher in Years 11 and 12 who encouraged me to continue studying it at university. At the time, I didn’t know what career I wanted, so a Bachelor of Science felt like a good general degree. I even did archaeology in my first year – which turned out to be far less exciting than the Indiana Jones movies suggested!

MP: I’ve always been drawn to applied research that directly influences real-world outcomes. Early in my career, I worked in applied research in the oil and gas industry, which taught me how materials behave under extreme conditions and why long-term performance matters.
 

During my PhD, I shifted that curiosity into healthcare by studying how ceramic composition influences how the body responds to implants. Since then, my work has focused on how the body interacts with medical devices over time – and what that means for patients.
 

SH:When I was younger, overt sexism and sexual harassment were still incredibly prevalent – I have some truly appalling stories.

Thankfully, things have improved, but women still face challenges when building career pathways and progressing into senior roles in male-dominated fields.

MP:  The challenges of being a woman in science were amplified by being an immigrant and by moving from engineering into medicine and biology. Learning to work across disciplines meant learning a new scientific language, as well as adapting culturally.

Over time, I realised my engineering background was a strength. I break complex processes into clear, logical components which help to bridge communication gaps between engineers, clinicians and researchers. Passion for the work also helped – enthusiasm builds trust and creates connection across disciplines.
 

SH:Science isn’t the stereotype. I’ve spent very little of my career in a white lab coat. A science background can lead to a fascinating career across art, law, business, marketing, engineering, technology, computing and maths.

Interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate research to a lay audience, are just as important as technical skills – and this is often where women excel. Don’t be afraid to speak up, share your expertise, and support other women to do the same.

And one final tip: if you’re in a male-dominated space, do not automatically volunteer to take notes, clean kitchens or organise morning teas - unless those tasks are shared equally. Call it out when women are ‘volunteered’ for gendered work.

MP: My advice to young women considering a career in science or health research is to stay curious and keep learning. Follow what excites you, even if it feels challenging at first. Science is all about asking questions, searching for answers and being honest when you don’t know something – those moments aren’t weaknesses, they’re opportunities to grow. Never be afraid to ask for help or to say: ‘I don’t know, but I’d like to learn.’
 

Confidence doesn’t come naturally every single day, and that’s okay. What matters is surrounding yourself with people who support your growth. Reaching out to other women in science can make an enormous difference. They can teach you, guide you and help you to build the confidence you need to navigate this path.

Most importantly, trust that your perspective is valuable. Be curious, be open, be willing to learn – and don’t shy away from taking up space. There is room for you in science and your contributions will matter.