Why they chose a career in science

Thema:: Digital society; Sustainable society; Healthy society; Safe society

11 February 2021

At present only 30% of researchers worldwide are women, according to data from UNESCO. In order to draw more attention to women and girls in science, International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated every year on 11 February. We would like to introduce 4 of our female scientists to you, with the goal of inspiring more women and girls to follow in their footsteps.

Laurie Hermans, Social scientist

As a social scientist – a cultural anthropologist, to be precise – Laurie Hermans is outnumbered at TNO. Even so, she feels right at home here.

Meet Laurie Hermans

Mirjam Nelisse, research scientist

If you want to analyse the safety risks and reliability of infrastructure, go to research scientist Mirjam Nelisse. As strange as it may sound, 100% safe infrastructure is not the aim.

Meet Mirjam Nelisse

Sayeda Nowrozon Nahar, chemical engineer

The passion of chemical engineer Sayeda Nowrozon Nahar is asphalt, sustainable asphalt to be precise. Wouldn't it be great if we could soon drive on roads made of bio-asphalt throughout the Netherlands?

Meet Sayeda Nowrozon Nahar

Romée Kars, Geologist

Romée Kars and her fellow researchers from the Geological Survey of the Netherlands use geomodelling to map the Dutch subsurface. This is inspiring work, because what is more interesting than the earth, the basis of everything?

Meet Romée Kars